Who was the caliph who raided one year and performed Hajj the next, and was a target of the Orientalists?
The Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid is the one referred to as performing Hajj one year and غزوا (military campaign) the next. He was courageous, strong, and pious, praying one hundred rak'ahs and weeping from admonitions. He performed Hajj nine times and led armies during his twenty-three-year reign. What is mentioned about his indulgence in amusement and frivolity is either from the machinations of his adversaries or the uncritical writings of some Orientalists and later authors. Some Orientalists have been fair to him, describing him as devout and charitable. Al-Fudayl ibn Iyad said about him: "If he were to die, you would see grave matters." It is necessary to verify reports and take the history of the Ummah from its trusted men.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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