551 45 ABDULLAH AL-MA’MUN (813-833 A.D./198-218 A.M.) Mamun was unquestionably the most distinguished figure of the House of Abbas, nay of the whole Islamic world. He was not only a brave soldier but also a good administrator. His will to work, his prudence, his clemency and judgment, his sagacity and liberality are the chief features of his character. His reign forms the most glorious epoch in the history of Islam. ”The twenty years of his reign have left enduring monuments of the intellectual development of the Muslims in all directions of thought”. The intellectual advancement was not restricted to a particular branch but it pervaded the whole cultural domain. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine and philosophy made an extraordinary progress during this period. He fully realized the truth that the actual happiness of his people lay in education and culture and he translated his realization into practice by opening schools and colleges in all directions. He made no distinction of creed or race and threw public offices open to all. Liberty of conscience and religion was given vi all. He established a Council of State in which Muslims and non-Muslims equally participated.
