42 AL-HADI (785-786 A.D./169-170 A.H.) Succession The attempt of Mahdi to reduce his contumacious son Musa al-Hadi might have created confusion but Harun wisely saved the situation and showed sagacity by recognizing the succession of his brother al-Hadi to whom he send the imperial seal and scepter on the death of his father. The troops which had accompanied Mahdi on return to Baghdad mutinied and demanded largesse from the wazir, Yahya son of Khalid satisfied the soldiers by granting a bonus of a year with out waiting on the widow queen rnother Khayzuran who was in favour of Harun and jealous to Hadi and had summoned him and the wazir. The latter earned wrath of the caliph by listening to the call of the queen but by offering large gifts regained his favour. He curtailed the influence of Khayzuran in the court which made his mother his deadly enemy seeking an opportunity to revenge.1
Al-Hadi on his accession had to face difficulties with the risings of the Kharijis in Mesopotamia and of the Alids in the two holy cities of Arabia. He took drastic steps against them. Some members of the house of Ali are said to have been paraded in the streets of Makkah and Medina for drinking wine. Against which they
Muir, The Caliphate, P.473.
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broke out into violent rebellion and suffered badly in consequence. Many suffered and only a few could escape torture.
