The Political Role of Hajib in the First Period of the Abbasid Caliphate (132-232 AH) Case Study: Rabi' Family

The first period of the Abbasid Caliphate (132-232- AH) was characterized with the coherent and powerful bureaucracy, in which the minister and hajib (chamberlain) were important and influential positions. The hajibs, who initially served as doorkeepers, had extensive power and duties and played a key role in important occasions such as the succession of Caliphs. Rabi' family played an important role in political affairs as the minister (vazir) and they even contributed to the fall of the Barmakid family. The present research explores the role and position of hajib in the first period of Abbasid Caliphate, with emphasis on the Rabi'family. The findings of this research, which was conducted using a descriptive analytical method based on the Max Weber's concept of patrimonial-bureaucratic domination, suggest that the rapid growth of the bureaucracy, the excessive influence of courtiers and the overwhelming suspicion ultimately led to the ousting or murder of people. This was especially true regarding the influence of Rabi family, in particular al-Fadl ibn al-Rabi, and what happened to them.