Musa was particularly active following the accession of his second cousin Harun al-Rashid (r. 786–809), who appointed him to a slew of positions in the early part of his reign. During this period he was again placed in charge of Kufa on three or four separate occasions,[10] and was also appointed governor of Mecca and Medina[11] (and, according to some sources, the Yemen).[12] In 797 and 799 he served as the leader of the pilgrimage in Mecca.[13]