Science Expanding Amid Political Challenges: Translation Activities During the al-Mutawakkil ’Ala’llah Period (232-247 H/847-861 CE)

Abstract

Translation activities in the Islamic world began during the Umayyad period (41-132 H/661-750 CE) and peaked during the Abbasid era (132-656 H/750-1258 CE), spanning nearly three and a half centuries. Scholars often highlight Caliph al-Ma'mun (d. 218/833) as the most influential patron of these activities. During the reign of Caliph al-Ma'mun, translations into Arabic increased significantly, and texts in fields such as mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and astrology flourished. These activities continued to expand in scope and influence in the following decades. However, existing studies have largely overlooked the translation efforts during the reign of Caliph Mutawakkil 'Ala'llah (d. 247/861), despite the significant contributions of figures such as hunayn b. Ishaq (d. 260/873), Ishaq b. hunayn (d. 298/910), hubaysh (d. 9th century), Yuhanna b. Masawayh (d. 243/857), al-Kindi (d. 256/870), and the Banu Musa brothers (d. 9th century). This study examines the individuals engaged in translation activities during al-Mutawakkil's reign, highlighting their roles within the Abbasid court and intellectual networks. By reassessing the role of al-Mutawakkil's era in the broader translation movement, this research aims to offer a more nuanced understanding of its significance within the history of science and translation in Islamic civilization.