Note 225 — AL FATH BIN KHAKAN AND THE CALIPH AL-MUTAWAKKIL.

Ala’llah, tenth Abbaside, A. H. 232–47 (847–61), grandson of Al-Rashid who succeeded Al-Wásik. He was a fanatic Sunni, much opposed to the Shi’ahs and he ordered the Christians to wear round their necks the Ghull (collar of wood, iron, or leather), to dress in yellow head-gear and girdles, use wooden stirrups and place figures of devils in front of their dwelling-houses. He also gave distinct dresses to their women and slaves. The Ghull, or collar, was also used for a punishment and vermin gathered under it when rivetted round the neck: hence Golius calls it “pediculosum columbar.”