Background
When al-Hasan refused, the offer went to al-Mutahhar bin Yahya bin al-Murtada, a descendant of the imam an-Nasir Ahmad (d 934).
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Al-Mutawakkil al-Mutahhar bin Yahya
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Career
He accepted and took the honorific name al-Mutawakkil al-Mutahhar. In 1284, Sarim ad-Din tried to induce al-Mutawakkil al-Mutahhar and al-Hasan bin Wahhas to enter hostilities with the Rasulid Dynasty, but they mistrusted him and refused. Sarim ad-Din then made an abortive attempt to set up a close relative, Ahmad bin Ibrahim, as imam.
Nevertheless, warfare broke out between al-Mutawakkil al-Mutahhar and the Rasulid Sultan al-Muzaffar Yusuf in 1288. Peace was concluded in July in that year, and the tribes Banu Hayy, Banu Siham, U'rush and Banu Mutim were acknowledged as subjects of the imam. This time the mountainous trench of the imam was overrun, and he had to roam around from place to place, eventually establishing himself in Hajjah.
The powerful Sultan al-Muzaffar Yusuf died in 1296, which evoked a respectful remark from the imam: "The greatest king of Yemen, the Mu'awiyah of the time, has died. His pens used to break our lances and swords to pieces." And actually, the Zaidis took the opportunity to seize Lijam, Na'man and Sa'dah. The imam was able to conclude peace and keep the acquisitions.
Shortly after, in 1298, he died. Unlike the five previous imams, he could maintain a strong position for decades in spite of periodic setbacks. The imam was celebrated under the honorific al-Muzallal bi'l-Ghamama, since he was once miracuously saved by a cloud when he was pursued by Sultan al-Mu'ayyad Da'ud in Khawlan.
