Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
The Guardian of Al-Andalus (Spain); Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin [MABH] (Part 11)
Keywords: Almoravids, Abdullah ibn Yasin, Barghawata, Jihad, Reform, Martyrdom
Abstract
The Almoravid movement, as one of the significant reformist and civilizational currents in the Islamic history of the Maghreb, not only brought about a religious and intellectual transformation in the Berber and nomadic societies of North Africa, but also marked a turning point in the historical relationship between religion and political power. This movement was initiated by Abdullah ibn Yasin (may Allah have mercy on him), a committed and scholarly jurist, who stepped into the field of da’wah with the aim of reforming creed and returning society to the authentic principles of Islam. Alongside training a new generation of preachers and mujahideen, he meticulously and gradually engaged in the intellectual, ethical, and social purification of the fragmented communities of the region. One of his greatest challenges in this path was confronting the deviant Barghawata tribes.
The Barghawata tribes, who emerged after the collapse of the Umayyad state in the Maghreb and ruled parts of the coastal areas of present-day Morocco for nearly four centuries, became one of the prominent deviant currents in the Islamic world due to the creation of a fabricated religion that combined Islamic beliefs, Berber traditions, and innovative heresies. Their leaders, claiming prophethood and composing a forged Qur’an in the Berber language, sought to establish a new religion based on their own ideology. This group posed not only a grave theological threat to Islam, but also a major political obstacle to the unity of the Islamic Maghreb.
Abdullah ibn Yasin (may Allah have mercy on him), whose mission was based on upholding the Sunnah, rejecting innovations, and renewing the faith, could not remain silent in the face of such a deviant movement. After organizing the Almoravid forces, he entered the territories under Barghawata control with firm determination and began his reform mission. However, the fierce military resistance of the Barghawata tribes led to an intense battle in which Abdullah ibn Yasin (may Allah have mercy on him) attained the great honor of martyrdom while defending monotheism and the Prophetic Sunnah.
His martyrdom did not mark the end of the movement, but rather served as a powerful inspiration for his loyal companions, such as Yahya ibn Umar, Abu Bakr ibn Umar, and Yusuf ibn Tashfin, to continue the struggle. The movement quickly expanded in scope, spreading its ideological and political roots across the Maghreb and Al-Andalus, and ultimately gave rise to the powerful Almoravid state, founded upon the teachings of Abdullah ibn Yasin (may Allah have mercy on him). This state not only established political stability, but also played a distinguished role in the fields of knowledge, jurisprudence, architecture, and resistance against the Crusader attacks, as well as in the recovery of Andalusian lands.
This abstract, through a historical and analytical perspective, seeks to trace the intellectual and jihadist evolution of the Almoravids, highlight the pivotal role of Abdullah ibn Yasin (may Allah have mercy on him) in reviving religion and reforming society, and emphasize his firm stand against deviant movements such as the Barghawata. It illustrates how the martyrdom of one scholar can mark the beginning of a civilization that would influence the course of history for centuries.
Introduction
The history of the Islamic world in the greater Maghreb region reflects a continuous struggle between truth and falsehood, tradition and innovation, sincere da’wah and corrupt regimes. Although this vast geographical area witnessed a rapid spread of Islam in the early Islamic centuries, after the fall of the Umayyad state and the weakening of the Abbasid caliphate in the region, it turned into a battleground for the emergence of deviant ideological movements and autonomous local governments. In this turbulent context, groups such as Barghawata—with false religious claims, independent political power, and a man-made belief system—gained extensive control over areas of present-day Morocco. From a religious standpoint, the Barghawata represented a blatant deviation from the principles of monotheism and Prophetic tradition; and from a political perspective, they were a major barrier to Islamic unity in the region.
In the face of such chaos, a man rose whose name became synonymous with “da’wah”, “jihad”, and “religious renewal”: Abdullah ibn Yasin al-Jazuli (may Allah have mercy on him)—a Maliki scholar trained in the scholarly circles of Qayrawan and Madinah, and a passionate preacher. With a spirit of reform, asceticism, and steadfastness, he raised the banner of religious revival and monotheistic da’wah in Berber lands. Unlike many scholars who confined themselves to teaching within madrasas, he entered the field, engaged deeply with the community, unified the scattered Sanhaja and Lamtuna tribes, and based his movement on the political and educational model of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His efforts ultimately laid the foundation for the powerful Almoravid state.
Abdullah ibn Yasin’s da’wah was founded on three main principles: reforming beliefs based on Tawhid and the Sunnah, establishing the Islamic Sharia in social life, and opposing all forms of innovation, ignorance, and tyranny.
He began by purifying and spiritually refining individuals, and from the depths of a fragmented society, he nurtured a generation of faithful and devout mujahideen known as the Almoravids (al-Murabitun)—a generation that possessed both knowledge and martial skill, trained in spiritual lodges and battlefields alike. When Ibn Yasin and his followers entered the battlefield against the Barghawata, their war was not merely over land or power, but rather a comprehensive effort to restore the spirit of Tawhid, eliminate idolatry and superstition, and establish divine revelation against human fabrications.
The Barghawata tribes, who had held power along the Tamesna coast for four centuries, maintained a system that appeared Islamic outwardly, but inwardly was a mixture of Berber, Christian, Zoroastrian, and magical elements. They had written a fabricated scripture to replace the Qur’an, allowed fasting in winter instead of Ramadan, prayed in a deviant manner, and referred to their leader as a “prophet.” This sect stands as one of the clearest examples of religious distortion in Islamic history.
In such a situation, Abdullah ibn Yasin (may Allah have mercy on him) stood against them with a bravery that only a faithful and convicted caller to Allah could muster. Ultimately, he sacrificed his life in this confrontation and attained the lofty rank of martyrdom.
However, his martyrdom did not mark the end, but the beginning of a new chapter in the Islamic history of the Maghreb. His students and fellow mujahideen carried on the mission with even greater resolve, founding the Almoravid state, which not only unified vast parts of the Maghreb but also defended Al-Andalus from Crusader invasions, expanded knowledge and culture, and brought forth a renewed image of Islamic civilization in North Africa and Southern Europe.
This study aims, relying on credible historical sources and modern analyses, to examine the rise of the Barghawata, the course of Abdullah ibn Yasin’s da’wah, the reformative principles of the Almoravids, and the decisive confrontation between the two movements. In this light, the martyrdom of Abdullah ibn Yasin will not be seen merely as a historical event, but as a symbolic manifestation of the eternal struggle between truth and falsehood in Islamic history—where the death of a scholar became the source of life for a nation.
Findings:
Three Paths to Nation-Building: The Political and Religious Strategies of the Almoravids
A review of the historical course of Abdullah ibn Yasin and his Almoravid companions reveals that this authentic Islamic movement pursued three fundamental approaches to achieve its major objective: the unity of the ummah and the implementation of Sharia:
1. A Liberating Role in Freeing Lands
In many instances, the Almoravids entered the scene as liberating forces—particularly when local populations had grown weary of their rulers’ oppression and requested help from the Almoravids. These faithful forces acted to enforce divine laws and remove the manifestations of pre-Islamic ignorance. A prime example of this occurred in the cities of Sijilmasa and Draa, where the people appealed to the Almoravids and received a wholehearted response. One of the movement’s greatest sacrifices took place in this process: the martyrdom of the military commander, Emir Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Umar.(1)
2. Peaceful Invitation through Dialogue and Allegiance
The second method was direct dialogue and da’wah. Ibn Yasin himself would personally engage with people and tribes, calling them to the truth. In this vein, in the Aghmat region, the local tribes pledged allegiance to Emir Abu Bakr ibn Umar after meeting with him. This act significantly strengthened the political legitimacy of the Almoravid movement.(2)
3. Combating Intellectual and Ideological Rebellion through Jihad
The third method was employed when dealing with rulers who not only deviated from Sharia but actively opposed the Almoravid da’wah. This strategy was used in areas where false beliefs, superstitions, and pseudo-religions were widespread. Among the key examples of this reformative jihad were the confrontations with the Bajaliyya sect and especially the Barghawata tribes. (3)
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Ibn Abi Zare, Ruz al-Qurtas, p. 81.
[2] Ibn Adhari, Bayan al-Maghrib, vol. 4, p. 15.
[3]. Ibn Abi Zare, Ruz al-Qurtas, p. 82
