Harun al-Rashid

The Abbassid Caliph of Baghdad, Al-Hadi, summons his brother, the Crown Prince, Haroon al-Rasheed back to Baghdad to inform him of an important decision that will affect the Caliphate and its succession.

The Caliph, Al-Hadi, consolidates his power by stripping Haroon al-Rasheed of his position as "Crown Prince" and passes the title on to his very young son, Jaafar, much to the displeasure of the Caliph's mother who reminds al-Hadi of his father's strict order that Haroon was to be Crown Prince. Haroon, for the sake of the state, accepts al-Hadi's decision.

The Caliph Moussa al-Hadi’s mother is clearly opposed to his decision to appoint the very young son of The Caliph as crown prince. Al-Hadi contemplates murdering his own mother as he sees her as an obstacle.

Harun endorses his young nephew, Al-Hadi’s son, as the Crown Prince much to the displeasure of Al Khairuzan, their mother. She relents and decides to go to Mecca but wants to cook a meal for her sons before she leaves. The Caliph al-Hadi suspects something untoward from his mother in her invitation.

Following the unexpected and suspicious death of his brother, The Caliph al-Hadi, Harun is torn between his promise to his brother to endorse Ja’afar (al-Hadi’s son) as Crown Prince and become Caliph himself as everyone expects.

As Harun ascends to the throne of the Caliphate, his mother, al-Khairuzan, prepares for the Pilgrimage to Mecca. Harun is urged to appoint a crown prince by his advisers.

Now Caliph, Al-Rashid secretly searches for his first wife and son, so that he can appoint him crown prince. His wife Zubaidah starts an ambitious project to prepare roads for the pilgrims to Mecca and Medina.

Harun Al-Rashid hears the grievances of the people of Baghdad so he can address them. Harun's mother advises him to declare Al-Amin as the heir to the throne. A crisis arises at the palace as Harun learns the bitter truth of his brother, Caliph al-Hadi’s death.

After witnessing his sons fight, Harun assigns al-Amin as his crown prince and gives the region of Khorasan to his other son Al-Maamoon to rule and also makes him crown prince to his brother al-Amin. Zubaida, Harun's wife is not pleased.

Harun Al-Rashid finds difficulty in teaching his son Al-Amin the principles of ruling and leadership. Ja'far miraculously survives an attempt to poison him, and Harun Al-Rashid investigates who the perpetrator might be.

Doubts concerning who might have plotted against Ja'afar arise and Harun Al-Rashid suspects the maid to have carried out such a treacherous act.

Harun Al-Rashid tightens his grip on the palace following the attempted poisoning of Ja'afar. A group of bondswomen go on an arduous journey to reach Harun Al-Rashid's palace.

Al-Abbasa quarrels with Ja'far over the incident with the maid, and he tries to clarify the misunderstanding. Harun Al-Rashid survives an assassination attempt.

Harun Al Rashid falls sick and is bedridden. He hides in Zubaida’s suite and asks her to keep the news form everyone. She seizes the opportunity and has her son Al Amine, sit on the throne much to the disdain of the Barmakkis.

When Harun Al-Rashid is bedridden, many believe that he is at death's door and it is decided that Al-Ma'mun shall be his successor, but Harun gets back on his feet.

Inside the palace, a sword fight takes place between Harun Al-Rashid's men and the followers of Ja'far bin Musa Al-Hadi who intend to overthrow the caliph. Harun Al-Rashid, meanwhile, goes on a trip outside Baghdad.

Harun Al-Rashid enters a duel with Al-Fara'a, the sister of Al-Walid bin Tarif, an oath-breaker. Harun's soldiers capture the other oath-breakers.

Harun tries to put an end to the sedition incited by Abi Essma, as Thaat El-Khal, the chanteuse with the heavenly voice and charming appearance, tries to woo Harun Al-Rashid.

Thaat El-Khal is saddened by Harun Al-Rashid's avoidance of her. Similarly, Al-Abbasah also gets mad at Ja'far Al-Barmaki because she believes him to be in love with someone else.

In his absence, Harun entrusts his son Al-Ma'mun with the ruling. Somaia is pregnant with Ja'far Al-Barmaki's baby. Ja'far plots with Al-Abbasah to get rid of the pregnant harem concubine before Harun returns. Harun appoints Al-Fadl as governor to Greater Khorasan.

Zubaida advises Harun Al-Rashid to hang the Document of Guardianship on the Kaaba's walls. Al-Abbasah sells the pregnant harem concubine.