At the time, he was tall, good looking, and slim but strongly built, with wavy hair and olive skin.
[2] Upon his accession, Harun led Friday prayers in Baghdad's Great Mosque and then sat publicly as officials and the layman alike lined up to swear allegiance and declare their happiness at his ascent to Amir al-Mu'minin.
[3] He began his reign by appointing very able ministers, who carried on the work of the government so well that they greatly improved the condition of the people.
However, on the night of Harun's accession to the throne, in September 786 her health started deteriorating after birth of Abdallah.
Marajil died soon after his birth, and Abdallah was raised by Harun al-Rashid's wife, Zubayda, herself of high Abbasid lineage as the granddaughter of Caliph al-Mansur (r. 754–775).