Al-Mutawwakil 1 was caliph from 847 to 861. He was known as Ja`far, son of Harun: Chron. 1234 (cited below). He was the son of al-Mu`tasim 1 (Harun) and became caliph (in succession to Al-Wathiq 1) in 847: Chron. 1234 §227 (II, p.39) ("in the year 232 (i.e. AD 846/847) which was the first year in which the son of al-Mutasim reigned"), §228 (II, p. 39) (" Ja`far son of Harun"), §229 (II, p. 40) ("the king of the Arabs was Ja`far son of Harun son of al-Mutasim, who was called al-Mutawakkil billah ("Mtwkl b'lh")"). His father was al-Mu`tasim 1 and he was the younger brother of his predecessor as caliph, Al-Wathiq 1; on the circumstances of his accession, see e.g. Shaban, Islamic History, II, pp. 71-72. Brother of Wathiq (Al-Wathiq 1), he succeeded his brother as caliph in AH 231 (Sept. 845/Aug. 846) and reigned for fourteen years and nine months; he imposed restrictions on Christians and Jews: Bar Hebr., p. 141. He had three sons, Muntaser, Mu`taz and Muwayad: Bar Hebr., pp. 141-142. He sent a eunuch, Nashif 1, as envoy to the empress Theodora 2 to negotiate peace and an exchange of prisoners after the Roman conquest of Anazarbos (in the year 1172 Sel. = AD 860/861): Bar Hebr., p. 142. In the year 1176 Sel. (864/865) and AH 245 (April 859/March 860) he received an envoy, Atrophilos 1, from the emperor Michael III (Michael 11) and made peace: Bar Hebr., p. 144. In AH 246 (March 860/March 861) he sent Nasir bar-Azhar (Nasir 2) as ambassador to Michael III (Michael 11) with rich gifts and secured the release of prisoners: Bar Hebr., p. 144. He was murdered by his son Muntaser in the year 1177 Sel. (AD 865/866) and AH 247 (March 861/March 862) and succeeded by Muntaser: Bar Hebr., p. 145.

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