The dynasty of 37 caliphs reigning in Baghdad from 133H (750C.E.) to 656H (1258C.E.), descended from the Prophet Muhammad's uncle, 'Abbaas ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib , which set up its rule on the ruins of the house of the Umayyads. Starting with the subversive propaganda against the Umayyads, the 'Abbasids came into power when Abul-'Abbaas, surnamed as as-Saffaah, "the bloodshedder," was recognized as caliph at Kufah. Caliphs al-Mansoor and al-Mahdi consolidated the 'Abbasid empire which, at the zenith of its power, extended from the shores of North Africa to the Indus; from the Red Sea to the Caspian Sea; and into the valleys of the north western slopes of the Himalaya. The 'Abbasid caliphate was brought to an end when Caliph al-Musta'sim was put to death by Halaku.

The names of the 'Abbasid caliphs are:

1. Abul-'Abbaas 'Abdullah bin Muhammad al-Saffaah (750 C.E.)

2. Abu Ja'far 'Abdullah bin Muhammad al-Mansoor (754)

3. Muhammad bin Mansoor al-Mahdi (775)

4. Musaa bin Mahdi al-Haadi (785)

5. Haaroon al-Rasheed (786)

6. Muhammad al-Ameen (809)

7. 'Abdullah Ma'moon al-Rasheed bin Haaroon al-Rasheed (813)

8. al-Mu'tasim Billaah (Abu Ishaq Muhammad bin Haaroon) (833)

9. al-Waathiq Billaah (Abu Ja'far Haaroon) (842)

10. al-Mutawakkil 'Alallaah (Ja'far bin Mu'tasim) (847)

11. al-Muntasir Billaah (Muhammad bin Ja'far) (861)

12. al-Musta'een Billaah (Muhammad bin Ja'far) (862)

13. al-Mu'tazz Billaah (866)

14. al-Muhtadi Billaah (869)

15. al-Mu'tamid 'Alallaah (870)

16. al-Mu'tadhid Billaah (892)

17. al-Muqtafi Billaah (902)

18. al-Muqtadir Billaah (908)

19. al-Qaahir Billaah (932)

20. al-Raadhi Billaah (934)

21. al-Muttaqi Billaah (940)

22. al-Mustakfi (944)

23. al-Mooti' (946)

24. al-Ta'i (974)

25. al-Qaadir (991)

26. al-Qaaim (1031)

27. al-Muqtadi (1075)

28. al-Mustazhir (1094)

29. al-Mustarshid (1118)

30. al-Raashid (1135)

31. al-Muqtafi (1136)

32. al-Mustanjid (1160)

33. al-Mustadi (1170)

34. al-Naasir (1179)

35. al-Zaahir (1225)

36. al-Mustansir (1226)

37. al-Musta'sim (1242-58)

"Call" or "announcement," especially the one given some time before every obligatory salah in order to summon the people to join the congregational prayer.

"People of the house," i.e. family of the Prophet Muhammad . The Shi'ah, however, attribute the expression to 'Ali, Faatimah, their sons, and dependents , to whom they restrict their appellation as well as the right to spiritual merit and political rule.

"Morals." Covers the nature, disposition, habits, and manners of a person.