Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
The Guardian of Al-Andalus (Spain): Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin [MABH] (Part 37)
In the previous section, we talked about the situation in Andalusia during the era of the tribal kings. Now, in continuation of the discussion, we will discuss one of the great and fateful events in the history of Islam in the western Islamic world, namely the passage of the first Almoravid armies to Andalusia and the fateful Battle of Zalaqah.
To examine the biography of Hazrat Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin (may Allah bless him) especially the great event of Zalaqah, after studying and examining various sources, we have selected three valuable and reliable books:
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Zalaqah under the leadership of Yusuf ibn Tashfin, written by master Shawqi Abu Khalil;
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Yusuf ibn Tashfin, by Abu Hamed Muhammad;
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Al-Zalaqah: A Battle Among the Battles of Islam, written by Dr. Jamil Abdullah Muhammad Al-Maesri.
These sources were selected for their comprehensiveness, accuracy, and research credibility; Because among the existing works, these three books have been able to shed more light on the dimensions of Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin’s personality, especially the Battle of Zalaqah, with a documented and researched statement than other sources.
The important point is that the contents of these three books, despite the differences in the writing and style of expression, overlap and have significant similarities in many cases; and this harmony shows that the foundation of the historical narrative of this event was formed based on reliable and solid narrations.
Terrible dangers for Andalusia
After the fall of Toledo at the hands of “Alfonso VI”, everything seemed possible in his eyes; but Andalusia found its sincere saviors in the Almoravids; a salvation that was realized with the slogan of “brotherhood in religion”.
The alliance of the Crusaders to destroy Andalusia
The Christian forces in Iberia, which had been engaged in internal disputes until then, concluded with the fall of Toledo, an opportunity had been provided to eradicate Islam from Andalusia. At their head was Alfonso VI, King of Castile, who also ruled Galicia, part of Portugal, Asturias, Lyon, and the Basque Country. He was also joined by Sancho I, King of Aragon and Navarre, and Count Bernhard Raymond, Lord of Barcelona and Orxuel.
This unprecedented alliance decided to eradicate the Islamic state in Andalusia. They were sure that their strength was sufficient and they had no doubt that they could drive the Muslims out of the peninsula; and they thought that after the fall of Toledo, no obstacle remained before them. [1]
Devastating raids into the heart of Andalusia
The Christians, putting aside all old hostilities, invaded Andalusia with a huge army from Galicia and Lyon. They captured the city of Qurayya (in the territory of the Banu al-Aftas), advanced to the outskirts of Seville and burned its villages and farms, a detachment of their cavalry advanced as far as Shazuna, then went to the island of Tarif (near the Strait of Gibraltar), at the same time, the Castilians, with the help of forces from Aragon and Catalonia, laid siege to Zaragoza; a strong fortress whose fall would have placed the entire Ebro region in Christian hands and left the Mediterranean coast defenseless. [2]
Testimony of European historians on the intensity of the war
According to Josef Aschbach (Geschichte der Westgoten und Spanier, 1827, Bd. 2, S. 134): “The Christians created havoc throughout the province of Zaragoza with fire and sword and did not give any credit to human principles; Because they considered this battle a holy war against the enemies of their religion!” [3]
However, despite this, the Islamic fortresses put up a strong resistance. “Al-Mu’tamin ibn Hud”, the ruler of Zaragoza, hoped that his Muslim brothers would come to his aid from the south of the peninsula; but the pressure from the Christians was getting stronger day by day. The Muslim forces were weak and helpless, and the danger of the fall of Zaragoza became serious. Therefore, attention was turned to the renewed strength of the Almoravids in Africa.
The Awakening of Al-Mu’tamid ibn Ibad
“Al-Mu’tamid ibn Ibad”, the emir of Seville, although had previously collaborated with Alfonso to besiege Toledo (a great mistake that he later realized), this time became the standard bearer of the resistance and became the most active emir of Andalusia in confronting the Crusaders. He met with other emirs in Seville and then Cordoba and decided to send a representative to Yusuf ibn Tashfin and ask for his help.
Al-Mu’tamid sent the judge Ibn al-Adham and said to him: “You are my ambassador to Yusuf ibn Tashfin. If you intend to wage jihad, it is now its time; because Alfonso has invaded our land, so hurry and come to our aid.” [4]
Little opposition and great consensus
The only one who opposed this decision was “Abdullah ibn Sukkot”, the governor of Malaga. He was accused of treason; then the mission of writing a letter to Yusuf ibn Tashfin was given to Al-Muwakil, the emir of Batulliyah (who was one of the most knowledgeable emirs of Andalusia at that time). The letter was signed by thirteen independent emirs, all of whom desperately asked for the help of the Almoravids.
Also, large groups of the people of Andalusia, especially led by the jurists, went to Marrakech to seek the help of the Almoravid emir. [5]
Yusuf ibn Tashfin’s Consultation with Scholars
The Almoravid Emir, Yusuf ibn Tashfin, consulted the matter with his advisory council, which included a number of jurists. He told them: “An enemy has lurked on the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar, intent on destroying Islam. Now it is our duty to rush to the aid of our Muslim brothers.”
Yusuf had reached full experience and maturity by this time; he was over seventy years old. To clarify his decision, he consulted his secretary, Abd al-Rahman al-Andalusi. The secretary said: “This war will take place in a mountainous and impassable land. What bond of friendship is there between the Almoravids and the tribal kings? The one who summoned you (Al-Mu’tamid ibn Ibad) has a long-standing grudge against you; so what guarantee is there that they will keep their promise?
If you are defeated, the way back to Africa will be closed; so it is better to ask the Emir of Seville to evacuate the fortress of “Al-Jazira” so that you can hand it over to the Almoravid troops, then you will always have a safe point and a reliable connection with Africa.”
Strategic measures for the Almoravids to cross into Andalusia
Abd al-Rahman al-Andalusia, the secretary of Yusuf ibn Tashfin, after examining the situation, advised: “To cross into Andalusia, you should ask Al-Mu’tamid ibn Ibad to hand over the Green Citadel to you so that your army and equipment can be stationed there and you can return and cross again to Africa whenever you wish.” [6]
Continues…
Previous Part
References:
- Shawqi Abu Khalil, Al-Zallaqa under the leadership of Yusuf ibn Tashfin, p. 31, Dar al-Fikr, Damascus, Syria.
- Shawqi Abu Khalil, Al-Zallaqa under the leadership of Yusuf ibn Tashfin, p. 31, Dar al-Fikr, Damascus, Syria.
- Shawqi Abu Khalil, Al-Zallaqa under the leadership of Yusuf ibn Tashfin, p. 32, Dar al-Fikr, Damascus, Syria.
- Ibn Khalakan, Wafiyyat Al-Ahyan, vol. 7, p. 116.
- Investigation into the News of the Countries of the Far Maghreb, vol. 2, p. 36; Al-Hilal al-Mawshiyya, p. 30; Al-Hilal al-Sondosiyya, p. 47.
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Ibn Sa’eed al-Muqerri, Al-Hilal al-Mawshiyya, p. 32.
