Haroon Ar Rashid (Born 763 in Rayy, Iran. Died 809 Mashhad, Iran) was the fifth and most famous Abbasid Caliph. He ruled from 786 to 809, and his time was marked by scientific, cultural and religious prosperity.
He was the son of al-Mahdi, the third Abbasid caliph, and Khayzuran from Yemen. Haroon was trained in general knowledge, military arts and state craft.
He is reported to have roamed the streets of Baghdad at night to look after his subjects secretly. He was reported to be a pious man and took part in many battles personally. He traveled his vast empire to learn the conditions of his subjects. He also personally inspected all frontiers to see they were well guarded.
He established schools, Musjids, Madrasas, colleges, hospitals, roads and bridges throughout the empire. He supported scholars, scientists and poets. It was under Haroon that Baghdad flourished into the most splendid city of its period.
He waged many campaigns against the Byzantines. The Muslim empire extended into Africa, upto Afghanistan and India. In 802 Haroon sent Charlemagne presents unprecedented in Western Europe that may have influenced Carolingian art. Haroon went on Hajj 5 or 9 times. He opened communications with the Emperor of China and the west.
In his reign, the Hanafi school of thought took definite shape. In 807 Haroon’s forces occupied Cyprus. Haroon is famous as the Caliph in the Arabian Nights stories.
He fell ill on a military expedition in Iran and died after ruling for 23 years. He ranks as one of the greatest rulers of the world.
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