The Guardian of Al-Andalus (Spain); Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin [MABH] (Part 28)
The Conquest of Tlemcen: Wisdom Before the Sword
After the Almoravids gained control over the Taza region, the city of Fez, and its surroundings, Yusuf ibn Tashfin established dominance over the entire Maghreb al-Aqsa, and no serious threat remained against the Almoravids. However, a gathering of rebellious tribes from the Zenata, especially in the city of Tlemcen on the eastern borders of Maghreb al-Aqsa, compelled Yusuf to think quickly about confronting this potential threat before it grew into a major danger.
Since the main aim of the Almoravid military movement was the unity of the Islamic community and the creation of an effective force to defend against enemies and protect Islamic lands from existential and ideological threats, it was more appropriate for the Almoravids to face their opponents with wisdom, dialogue, and invitation to cooperation, as the Holy Qur’an says: “ٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلْحِكْمَةِ وَٱلْمَوْعِظَةِ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ” Translate: (“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction.”)
Accordingly, Yusuf ibn Tashfin wrote a letter to the emir of Tlemcen, asking him to choose the path of peace without warfare and to cease opposition.
At the same time, Yusuf prepared a large army under the command of the Almoravid warrior, Muzdali al-Lamtuni, ready to respond with military power if the people of Tlemcen chose confrontation instead of wisdom. The orders to this army emphasized relying on wisdom, inviting to unity, abandoning discord, and striving for Islamic unity. But if the emir of Tlemcen refused Yusuf’s command, then “the sword is the definitive cure for the disease of opposition.”
Muzdali and his army reached the borders of Tlemcen. He sent an envoy to the city’s emir carrying Yusuf ibn Tashfin’s letter of invitation. After reading the letter, the emir of Tlemcen declared obedience, came out of the city, and met with the Almoravid commander. During this meeting, discussions took place to manage the city’s affairs, and it was agreed that the Almoravid army would enter the city after a specified period. Finally, Muzdali and his army entered Tlemcen without battle. The governorship of the city was assigned to Yahya ibn Muzdali, and Muzdali himself returned with emir Abbas ibn Yahya to Marrakesh. Yusuf ibn Tashfin warmly welcomed Abbas, honored him, and sent him back to his land with suitable instructions and great respect. This event occurred in the year 468 AH.
However, another report states that Tlemcen was conquered in 472 AH. According to this narration, Muzdali marched to Tlemcen with twenty thousand warriors. At that time, the ruler of Tlemcen was al-Abbas ibn Bakhti, not Yahya, and his son Ya‘la ibn al-Abbas was killed fighting the Almoravids. After this conquest, the Almoravid army returned to Marrakesh. This account suggests that the first submission of Tlemcen (468 AH) was not complete, and despite initial acceptance, the emir might have rebelled again due to pressure from his people or regret. Therefore, Yusuf ibn Tashfin launched a second campaign, which resulted in the emir’s death and the appointment of Muhammad ibn Tasin al-Masufi as governor, thereby consolidating Almoravid control over Tlemcen.
Establishment of Takrart City and Extensive Conquests in Eastern Maghreb
Following the usual Almoravid approach, Yusuf ibn Tashfin, after the conquest of Tlemcen, issued necessary orders for reforming the region and commanded the construction of a city called “Takrart” at the site of the Almoravid camp. Then, he set out to continue jihad with the goal of building a unified Islamic state ruled by justice and defended by the valor of warriors.
In 474 AH, continuing these conquests, the city of Oujda and the territory of Bani Iznasan, along with surrounding areas, were captured. Also, the cities of Ténès, Oran, Jabal Wanshris, and all the areas of the Chelif Valley up to the borders of Algeria fell to the Almoravids. After these successive successful conquests, Yusuf ibn Tashfin ordered a halt to military operations on this front and returned with his victorious army to the capital, Marrakesh, to prepare for new missions in the path of jihad and reforming the ummah. He entered Marrakesh in Rabi‘ al-Thani 475 AH.
Capture of Two Important Cities: Tangier and Ceuta
Initially, the two cities of Ceuta and Tangier were under the control of the Banu Hammud family from the Idrisid lineage. Ali ibn Hammud ibn Ali ibn ‘Ubaidullah (the grandson of Idris ibn Abdullah ibn Hasan ibn Hasan ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib) was the first from this dynasty to rule in Al-Andalus. He became caliph in Cordoba in 407 AH.
The Hammudids had entrusted the governorship of Ceuta and Tangier to trusted slaves of Saqaliba origin. By 453 AH, a slave named Rizqallah governed these two cities as their representative. However, another slave, Saqut, originally a captive from the Barghawata tribes and purchased by a blacksmith, rebelled against Rizqallah and killed him. Saqut, raised by Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hammud, declared himself ruler of Ceuta and later passed this position to his son Hajib. Hajib succeeded in subduing the Ghammara tribes and maintained his rule until the powerful Almoravid state led by Yusuf ibn Tashfin emerged.
Yusuf ibn Tashfin, the pious and striving leader of the Almoravids, sent a letter inviting Hajib Saqut to unite with the Almoravids. Hajib was inclined to accept, but his son, al-Mu‘izz ibn Saqut, prevented him. Hajib proudly responded: “By God, as long as I live, the drums of Lamtuna—Yusuf ibn Tashfin—shall not sound in Ceuta.”
