Tariq ibn Ziyad landed at Gibraltar in 711 CE with an army of 12,000 men and defeated King Roderick's forces of 100,000, allowing the Muslims to take control of much of Spain. Over the next few decades, Muslim rule expanded across the Iberian Peninsula under governors like Abdul Rahman and Hisham, who established Córdoba as the capital. During this period, the Emirate of Córdoba saw economic and intellectual growth, with rulers supporting education and public works.
Tariq ibn Ziyad landed at Gibraltar in 711 CE with an army of 12,000 men and defeated King Roderick's forces of 100,000, allowing the Muslims to take control of much of Spain. Over the next few decades, Muslim rule expanded across the Iberian Peninsula under governors like Abdul Rahman and Hisham, who established Córdoba as the capital. During this period, the Emirate of Córdoba saw economic and intellectual growth, with rulers supporting education and public works.
Tariq ibn Ziyad landed at Gibraltar in 711 CE with an army of 12,000 men and defeated King Roderick's forces of 100,000, allowing the Muslims to take control of much of Spain. Over the next few decades, Muslim rule expanded across the Iberian Peninsula under governors like Abdul Rahman and Hisham, who established Córdoba as the capital. During this period, the Emirate of Córdoba saw economic and intellectual growth, with rulers supporting education and public works.
● e : islamic_wisdom@yahoo.co.uk ● t : +44(0)2072631966
● m : +44(0)7960110425 Countries Covered Countries Covered (2) ISLAMIC HISTORY OF EUROPE First Venture In Spain
● Whenthe Muslims became
Masters of North Africa they were literally staring into Spain. The Governor of North Africa Musa b. Nusayr deputed his lieutenant Tariq b. Ziyad to undertake an expedition to Spain. Tariq Bin Ziyad Lands at GIBRALTAR
● Therefore,in 711 CE,
Tariq b. Ziyad with a Force of 12,000 men sailed across the straits and landed at the base of a huge rock which came to be known after him as JABAL-I-TARIQ or MOUNTAIN OF GIBRALTAR. Encounter With King Roderick’s Forces of 100,000
● FromGibraltar the Muslim Forces
headed for Jiroz in the valley of Lakka on the banks of river Guadlite near the city called Madina Sidonia. There they encountered a force of 100,000 lead by King Roderick who drowned in the river during the course of the battle. The Capital TOLEDO Falls To The Muslims
● Triumphingover King Roderick’s
forces who had outnumbered them by nearly 9 to 1, the Muslim Army then marched towards the Capital Toledo which offered very little resistance, hence the Capital Toledo was also occupied. Almost Half of Spain Comes Under Muslim Control
● AfterToledo, many cities
fell one by one to the Muslims who by the end of 711 CE took almost half of Spain Lead by Tariq Bin Ziyad. A SECOND MUSLIM EXPEDITIONARY . FORCE LANDS IN SPAIN FROM THE NORTH WESTERN ROUTES ● The following year in June, the Governor of North Africa who had initiated the Campaign of Spain by sending Tariq b. Ziyad on it, himself landed in Spain at the head of an 18,000 strong force by the North Western Route and after liberating many cities met up with the Tariq b. Ziyad and his forces stationed in Toledo and together they advanced further afield and took Aragon. The Governor of Aragon offered allegiance to the Muslims and accepted Islam and by 714 CE almost the whole of Spain was liberated by Muslims MUSLIMS ARRIVE AT THE . SOUTHERN PYRANESE IN FRANCE ● Together,Musa b. Nusayr and Tariq b. Ziyad then advanced towards the Pyranese in Southern France with an ambitious plan to LIBERATE the whole of Southern Europe CAPITAL OF ISLAMIC SPAIN SHIFTED TO CORDOBA ● Within Spain itself, there then followed a period of about 40 years during which there were no less than 13 Governors In Spain, and this frequent turnover of heads of Government meant that no one Governor had time to put in place substantial Islamic Reforms in the social fabric of Spain, and during this period the Capital of Islamic Spain was also shifted from Toledo to Cordoba. ABDUL RAHMAN BECOMES AMEER OF ISLAMIC SPAIN
● Thenin 756 CE Abdul Rahman took
over the Governorship of Spain, and his rule lasted for over 30 years. He assumed the title of Amir. A JUST RULER AND A WISE . STATESMAN
● Abdul Rahman has been
Described as A Skilful General, A Just Ruler and A Wise Statesman FREE BOARDING AND LODGING FOR STUDENTS
● He Organised the Administration on sound
lines. This was the period of revival of learning whence educational institutions were established all across the country, and not only this but to ensure that learners and students can concentrate more fully on their academic goals, hostels were constructed offering free boarding and lodgings to students. Paved Lit roads, Inns and Public baths were common features of many cities. CITY GATES, A GRAND MOSQUE & A GARDEN PALACE ● He also had the City walls of Cardova reconstructed with seven major City Gates. A Grand Mosque was also built in Cordoba whose distinctive features included a solid Gold Lamp over the pulpit, 193 white marble pillars, 19 arches and 19 big gates. He also had a Beautiful Garden Palace built which was named “Muawiyat-ul-Rusafa” named after the villa of his grand father Hisham in Damascus. AND DATE TREES INTRODUCED
● Healso had constructed an Aqueduct
for the supply of water to Cordoba and also built other canals all of which improved the agriculture. He then introduced many Exotic Plants to Spain where for the first time Date Trees were planted. He also constructed a Huge Bridge over the Guadelquiver River. Successor Of Amir AbdulRahman
● HISHAM 788 – 796 C.E.
HISHAM 788 - 796
● Ameer AbdulRahman was succeeded by his third son
Hisham who was born of a Spanish Lady Hulal, One possible reason for his accession despite being the third son could have been that he had proven Administrative Capabilities as Governor of Merida, and whilst one of his two elder brothers Sulaiman was also a governor of another province i.e. Toledo but the political sagacity and administrative acumen of Hisham must have been superior to those of his elder brothers for which reason we believe he was chosen to succeed his father notwithstanding the fact that he was the third son. BACKGROUND TO THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE
● Inthe short 8 years of Hisham’s rule,
there were various revolts most of which were instigated by the French. Having thoroughly subjugated the insurrectionists within his dominion, Hisham then decided to sort out once and for all the source of the instigation of the various uprisings. ISLAMIC SOUTHERN FRANCE
● Consequently,in 792 CE, he sent an
expeditionary force under the command of Abu Usman which crossed the Pyrenese and confronted the French Forces at Narbonne and Goronna and defeated them. Subsequently, Narbonne was appointed the Capital of Islamic Southern France DUKE OF TORTOSA, KING OF AUSTRIA & ALFANSO II DEFEATED. (1)
● Having secured Southern France and
turning it into an Islamic Dominion, Hisham thus ensured that there would be no more infiltration of incitements from that side of the borders. He then launched campaigns against William the Duke of Tortosa who was defeated and sued for terms of Peace. DUKE OF TORTOSA, KING OF AUSTRIA & ALFANSO II DEFEATED(2)
● A Similar Campaign was Launched
towards AUSTRIA, and Bermudo I, The King of Austria surrendered after a short battle and became a vassal of the Muslims ● Another Expedition was launched towards GALACIA and ALFANSO II The Ruler of Galicia was defeated and he also became a serf of the Muslims. PUBLIC WORKS ACHIEVEMENTS OF HISHAM
● Hishamcompleted the Construction of
Cordoba Mosque and the Big Bridge over Guadliquiver River begun by his father. PUBLIC WORKS (2) ACHIEVEMENTS OF HISHAM
● Andeven though his reign was short
lasting for only 8 years, but still he managed to construct and complete many public buildings including several schools, highlighting once again, the high value attached in Islam to Knowledge and it’s Acquisition. DEATH AND ASSESSMENT
● HISHAM died in 796 CE at the relatively
young age of 40. His main passion was to establish the Islamic Way of Life, and hence, one is forced to wonder if the many French Instigated revolts against him were because of this. He lived a simple and frugal life. He was God Fearing and was known for his Impartial Justice and Sound Administration Al-HAKAM 796 - 822 CE
After the death of his father HISHAM, AL-
● HAKAM took over the Emirate of Islamic Spain at the age of only 22 STRUGGLE TO CAPTURE THE EMIRATE FROM AL-HAKAM Perhaps due to the fact that AL-HAKAM was very young (Only 22) at the time of Accession to the Emirate, many of his peers including two of his Uncles Abdullah and Sulaiman revolted against him whilst some of his opponents also fought one another but AL-HAKAM managed to suppress all of them. Al-Muzaffar (The Great Warrior) ● After suppressing the various internal revolts, AL-HAKAM then launched campaigns against the Christians and recovered territories lost to them in earlier wars. As a Result, The French Invaded Spain in 803 CE and captured Saragosa but later on they were driven out. In 812 the French Invaded again and captured Lusitania. Four years later they were thoroughly subdued and sued for Peace undertaking not to Invade Spain again Al-Muzaffar (The Great Warrior)2. ● BUILT A STRONG NAVY AL-HAKAM built a STRONG Navy and undertook several Naval Expeditions in the Mediterranean between 816 - 818 CE Liberating the Islands of IZIRA, MAJORCA and SARDINIA Title of AL-MUZAFFAR GIVEN As a result of his Victories over the Christians and the French and his liberation of the Islands of IZIRA, MAJORCA and SARDINIA he was given the Title of AL-MUZAFFAR, the GREAT WARRIOR, DEATH & ASSESSMENT OF AL-HAKAM ● AL-HAKAM died in 822 at the age of 48, and the very strange coincidence is that his father HISHAM also died very young at age 40 But what marked him out as being different from his father was that AL-HAKAM was more of a liberal in matters of Theology and he was against the Theologians having a monopoly over power. Some labelled him as “The Great Warrior” whilst Others called him a Tyrant, but those who did so, fail to acknowledge his Tolerance when he allowed amnesty to many rebel leaders and to the French whom he had defeated, he allowed peace on terms ABDUL RAHMAN II 822 - 852 CE ● AL-HAKAM was succeeded by his son ABDUL RAHMAN II at the age of 31, and by the time of his accession his father had done well to consolidate and stabilise the Kingdom.
MUSLIMS ADVANCE INTO CENTRAL FRANCE
The Count of Navarre and Lord Aizon both of whom who had sworn allegiance to the King of France changed sides and allied themselves with the Muslims as a result of which the French invaded these principalities. The Muslim Forces were then obliged to come to the assistance of their allies and in doing so had advanced deep into Central France. DEATH AND ASSESSMENT OF ABDUL RAHMAN II’s Reign 822 - 852 CE
● ABDUL RAHMAN II died in 852 CE
During his reign the Fame of Muslim Arts, Culture, Sciences and that of the Spanish Muslim Universities spread all around the world Some of the many fine buildings that he constructed included those built along the banks of river Guadalquiver and some beautiful gardens in the City of Cordoba and water for the city was drawn from the Sierra Morena Mountains through lead pipes which was a major engineering marvel in those times. ABDUL RAHMAN III 912 - 961 CE Nominated heir apparent at the age of 20 days
● ABDUL RAHMAN III was appointed the heir
apparent in his infancy at the tender age of 20 days and as he grew up he was tutored by his grand father. ● One possible benefit of nominating someone in that persons infancy is that as the child grows up every body knows what his eventual role would be, hence if there was any chance of any opposition to his accession then that would have materialised before the accession and would have been dealt with there and then. ABDUL RAHMAN III 912 - 961 CE CONSOLIDATED THE DOMINION AT THE VERY OUTSET
● Right from the START ABDUL RAHMAN III
instituted a programme of consolidation of the State by bringing all the Autonomous and semi- independent principalities under the Central Rule whilst a measure of local autonomy on such regions. ● SEVILLE RE-INCORPORATED IN THE DOMINION ● After a battle SEVILLE was re-incorporated into the Dominion and the local chieftains were allowed concessional terms who then reconciled themselves to ABDUL RAHMAN III being the Amir ABDUL RAHMAN III 912 - 961 CE CONSOLIDATED THE DOMINION AT THE VERY OUTSET
● 2 YEAR SEIGE OF TOLEDO
● In pursuance of his policy of CONSOLIDATION under Central Rule ABDULRAHMAN III solicited the participation of the people of TOLEDO in the Centralised Emirate but they did not Fall in line And defied the Amir who then had to send in the federal troops, but the people of TOLEDO Shut themselves inside their city. ● Abdul Rahman III then laid siege to the town refusing to use force against the people of TOLEDO but the actual method that he used to lay the siege was VERY UNIQUE indeed. ● He actually built a WHOLE NEW TOWN outside TOLEDO that he laid siege to ABDUL RAHMAN III 912 - 961 CE BUILT A WHOLE NEW TOWN OUTSIDE TO LAY SIEGE TO TOLEDO
● 2 YEAR SIEGE OF TOLEDO
● He built a whole new town called AL-FATH just outside TOLEDO as a way of laying siege to it. ● The purpose of which was to block all approaches to and from TOLEDO ● Because of this unique way of laying a siege, the siege itself lasted for two years. ● Ultimately, the people of TOLEDO surrendered un-conditionally to the idea of a centralised Emirate. ABDUL RAHMAN III UPGRADES HIS STATUS FROM AMIR TO “CALIPH” ● In 929 CE ABDUL RAHMAN III, declared himself as the CALIPH OF THE MUSLIM WORLD based in Spain. ● THREE CALIPHS IN THE MUSLIM WORLD There were thus in the Muslim World THREE CALIPHS at the same time. The Abbasids in Baghdad, The Fatimids in North Africa and The Ummayads in Spain ABDUL RAHMAN III UPGRADES HIS STATUS FROM AMIR TO “CALIPH” (2) BACKGROUND TO THE SITUATION OF THREE CALIPHS Within 17 years of accession to the Emirateship of Spain, Abdul Rahman III had consolidated all the various Principalities and Provinces into a Centralized Empire Whilst The Islamic Empire in Spain and the position of ABDUL RAHMAN was growing in strength and both had become renowned all over the world, the position and strength of the ABBASIDS in Baghdad was growing weaker by the Day ABDUL RAHMAN III UPGRADES HIS STATUS FROM AMIR TO “CALIPH” (3) Sensing the decline in the power of the Caliphate based in Baghdad, The Fatimids of North Africa thought that they could rescue the situation by declaring themselves as the CALIPHS of the Islamic Empire at large
By this time the Fame and Fortune of the UMMAYADS
under ABDULRAHMAN III had acquired word fame, perhaps he had thought that the Cause of the Islamic Empire would be be better served by a world class leader with world class achievements in the fields of Arts, Culture, Science and other World Renowned Achievements. Accordingly, ABDUL RAHMAN III declared himself the CALIPH ACHIEVEMENTS OF ABDUL RAHMAN III
ABDUL RAHMAN III died in 961 CE after ruling Spain
for nearly 50 years Although all the UMMAYAD Rulers OF Spain bearing the name of “Abdul Rahman” proved to be great Rulers, but ABDUL RAHMAN III‘s Rule is recognized as the Golden Era of the Ummayad rule. Agricultural Developments and Economic Prosperity advanced tremendously and the TEXTILE Trade Flourished. There were 30,000 weavers in Cordoba alone and it was also known for it’s leather industry as well. CALATYUD became known as a center of Pottery whilst TOLEDO became famous for it’s arms ISLAMIC HISTORY OF EUROPE EARLY VICTORIES IN FRANCE PROVINCE OF SEPTAMANIA In 721 CE the Muslim Forces Liberated the Province of Septamania and it’s Capital Narbonne was designated as the Capital of Islamic Southern France TOULOSE APPROACHED In 721 CE the Muslim Forces approached TOULOUSE but were heavily outnumbered. CARACASSONE , NIMES, RHONE & SAONNE By 725 CE Muslims had liberated towns like Caracassone, Nimes, Rhone and Saonne EARLY VICTORIES IN FRANCE (2)
LYONS , MACON , CHALONS-ON-THE-RHONE,
BEAUNE & ATUN By 730 CE under the Governorship of HAISHAM the Muslims had penetrated deep into FRANCE reaching towns like LYONS, MACON, CHALONS-ON-THE RHONE, BEAUNE & ATUN BORDEAUX, BURGUNDY, BESANCON, SENS & ARLES Under the Governorship of ABDUR RAHMAN AL-GHAFEQI the Muslims had advanced further and liberated the Cities of Arles, Besancon, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Sens EARLY VICTORIES IN FRANCE (3)
BATTLE FOR POITIERS
In 732 Muslims advanced on TOURS and Liberated it then they moved towards POITIERS and a fierce battle took place for Poitiers ARAGON, NAVARRE , ST. REMI By 734 under the Governorship of Abdul Malik b. Khattan, and Operating out of their French base in NARBONNE, the Muslims Liberated ARAGON, NAVARRE & ST. REMI EARLY VICTORIES IN FRANCE (4)
ST. PAULS , TROIS , CHATEAUX , DONIZERE ,
VALENCE AND NEW LYONS
By 736 CE under the Governorship of OQBA the
Muslims Liberated ST. PAUL, TROIS, CHATEAUX, DONIZERE, VALENCE AND NEW LYONS SCORCHED EARTH POLICY OF THE FRENCH As and when Muslims took over a city in France, they worked hard and implemented policies which turned those towns’ Fortunes and made them prosperous EARLY VICTORIES IN FRANCE (5)
SCORCHED EARTH POLICY OF THE FRENCH
However, as and when the French re-possessed some
of those towns they systematically destroyed them and slaughtered their Muslim inhabitants, so deep was their hatred for the Muslims that all the prosperity and development brought about by the Muslims in those lands was destroyed and burnt to the ground. The Scorched Earth Policy of the French was some what like them Cutting their Nose Just to Spite their Face LATER VICTORIES IN FRANCE & Forays Into SWITZERLAND & ITALY ST. TROPEZ COLONY
In 890 a group of Muslims landed at St. Tropez on the
coast of Provence and established a colony there. From here they advanced and liberated places like MARSEILLES in one direction, and then going over the Alpine passes and liberated Dauphine, Savoy, Some areas of Switzerland and Piedmont in the other direction. They also liberated Novalsea, Acqui and even Genoa in ITALY. The Muslims also liberated the Alpine Town of St. Bernard and the Coastal region FRAXINETUM ISLAMIC HISTORY OF EUROPE NAPLES SEEKS HELP OF MUSLIMS AGAINST VENICE
After the Muslims had developed the Island of Sicily
into a stronghold of theirs, they felt confident about looking towards the Italian Main Land because what was then left between them and the Italian Main Land was the Gulf of Messina With the Muslim Presence so close to the Italian Main Land, an interesting historical development took place. This was the rivalry between Naples and Venice, as a result of which the Napolitans felt threatened and they sought the help of the close by Muslim Forces and invited them to Naples for assistance in their Campaign against Venice BASES FROM WHICH THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGNS WERE LAUNCHED Most of the ITALIAN Campaigns were launched from the Muslim Stronghold of Sicily, however, some ITALAIAN Campaigns were also launched from bases in North Africa, Crete and Syria. ROME WAS ALSO TARGETED From some of the maneuvers made by the Muslims it can be concluded that at one time around 846 CE the Muslims had targeted ROME itself the Citadel of Christianity REGIA, CALABRIA, BASILICALA,CAMPANIA & PUGLIA MUSLIMS went through the Town of CALABRIA a number of times as they advanced from REGIA. Ruins of a purpose built mosque have been unearthed in REGIA evidence of long term intentions of Muslims, it could also be that this mosque was built by the native Italians who had embraced ISLAM MUSLIM PRINCIPALITIES IN ITALY BACKGROUND According to the Italian Professor Franceso Gabrielli (Author of the Book Mohammad and the Conquests of Islam) during the 9th and 10th Centuries there were at least THREE Muslim Principalities in Italy BARI (Principality of) The Muslim Principality of BARI was on the South Eastern Coast of ITALY facing the Adriatic. It was founded in 847 CE by a Berber chief Kalfun. After Kalfun, other leaders of this dynasty were Mufarraj and Sawdan. Remains of some purpose built mosques have been unearthed in BARI MUSLIM PRINCIPALITIES IN ITALY (2)
TARANTO (Principality of)
In 850 CE, three years after the formation of the first Muslim Principality in ITALY at BARI, a second Muslim Principality was founded at TARANTO on the South Western Coast of ITALY GARIGLEANO (Principality of) Anthropologists, have found evidence of a Third Muslim Principality in ITALY in the town of GARIGLEANO founded towards the end of the 9th Century which was re-taken by the ITALIANS in 915 MUSLIM FEATURES IN ITALY SARACEN TOWERS Philip K. Hitti in his book History of the Arabs refers to the numerous tower structures built by the SARACENS from which the Approach of Arab Fleets from Sicily or North Africa were announced. These, still draw crowds of tourists visiting the scenic beauty of the peerless coastline of South Naples. FORAYS INTO SWITZERLAND Philip K. Hitti further observes in his book History of the Arabs, that a number of Castles in the Alpines of Switzerland owe their origin to the Muslims.