Granada is the last stronghold of Muslims in Andalusia. With the collapse of Granada also ended the period of Islamic rule in mainland Siberia. Eight centuries is not a short time. Islamic power in Andalusia is the longest power in the history of the Islamic state and kingdom.
Islam entered Andalusia in 92 H. At that time, Andalusia was controlled by the Goths (Gothic). Led by Musa bin Nushair and Tariq bin Ziyad, the Muslims in North Africa entered the blue continent. From the beginning of entering and controlling Andalusia, Muslims directly built the foundations of civilization. Until Andalusia became the Tower of knowledge and religion in the heart of Europe.
To make it easier for us to know the long history of Muslims in Andalusia, here we present the periodization of Muslim power in the Iberian land.
First Period, Period of al-Wulat (Governors) 92-138 H.
In the historical dictionary, this first period is known as the Wulat period. Wulat is the plural of the word wali (leader). This period began from the conquest of Andalusia until the end of the Umayyad Daula. Initially, Andalusia was the territory of the Umayyad Daula which had its capital city in Damascus. During this time, Andalusia was led by 23 Umayyad governors. This initial condition is the tripe base condition. To the extent that some of his governors died on the European jihad field. Both to defend the territory and for expansion. This period was marked by several important events. Among them:
First: The spread of racism issues
This first period was marked by the spread of racial sensitivity in the midst of war troops. Among Arab races consisting of the Qays, Yemen and other regions. With the Berbers of the original inhabitants of North Africa. This issue raises serious problems. Until the result of civil war. And not a few lives are lost. Because of this dispute, the northern regions of Andalusia were separated from the power of the Muslims. Disputes like this became the biggest cause that led to the collapse of Islam in Andalusia.
Second: The spread of Khawarij thought.
The entry of Khawarij thought from the Middle East to Morocco and Andalusia. The Umayyads continued to pressure the Khawarij group from the Middle East. They fled to North Africa. Then they embraced the Berbers who felt subordinated. With the spread of Khawarij understanding, a rebellion emerged. Development is slow. Because of the instability of the country.
Third: Exhausted Energy for France
In this period, Muslims repeatedly tried to conquer France. But failed. The climax was in 114 AH, during the Balath Martyrdom War. A large number of Muslims died in this war. Until it was called Balath Syuhada (home of the martyrs). Among those who died was a tabi’in Abdurrahman al-Ghafiqi.
Second Period, Umayyad Daula II Period (138 – 238 H)
This period was a response to the collapse of the Umayyad Daula in Damascus. The great kingdom collapsed, defeated by the Abbasids. After collapsing in Damascus, the Bani Umayyah clan suffered a massacre. But there are young people who survived. His name is Abdurrahman. Later he was known as Abdurrahman ad-Dakhil. He fled to Andalusia. Then managed to consolidate the remnants of the Umayyad forces there. Finally, at a very young age, 25 years old, he succeeded in establishing Daula Umayyah II in Andalusia.
Standing in 138, for the next 100 years the kingdom was built by four kings. They are Abdurrahman who received laqob ad-Dakhil. Then his son named Hisham. After that, his grandson named al-Hakam. Beriktunya, his great-grandson who is also named Abdurrahman. This period is the golden age of the Umayyads II Daula in Andalusia. At this time there were several important events. Among them:
First: Rebellions that occur repeatedly.
Uprisings at this time were led by Arab tribes who refused to submit to the Umayyad Daula II who were foaming in Cordoba. These revolts were crushed by Abdurrahman ad-Dakhil.
Second: Attack of the Abbasids.
After successfully destroying the Umayyad Daula in Damascus, the Abbasid Daula based in Baghdad wanted to complete their mission. They also wanted to conquer the new Umayyad Daula standing in Andalus. But all their efforts end up failing.
Third: Attack of the European Empire
Seeing the strength of the Islamic state in Andalusia, European kingdoms did not remain silent. They held resistance. Among the kingdoms of Aragon and Lyon. They tried to restore the power of their ancestors, but they were no match for the Umayyad Daula at the time.
Fourth: heyday
Abdurrahman ad-Dakhil succeeded in building a strong kingdom. Stable and strong government. Respected military. And strategic military bases. Then he inherited the power to his children
Fifth: Rapid Development
During this period, especially during Abdurrahman II, there was rapid development. Prosperity is spread. Some even live in luxury. This glory period gradually made negligent. Came out places of music and useless activities.
Sixth: Cries of rebellion against Daula Umayyah II.
Third Period, First Stage Setback (238-300 H)
After strong leaders and developed countries emerged, sunnatullah proceeded. Not always that glory is present. Likewise, Daula Umayyah II in Andalusia. In 238 AH, the period of decline began. This is the first stage of the decline of Muslims in Andalusia.
At this time Umayyad Daula II was led by three kings. These three kings faced rebellion in the border region. Beginning dark shadows in the Islamic kingdom. Among the important events of this period are:
First: Disintegration Occurs
Many territories declared independence from the Umayyad Daula’s rule in Cordoba. Especially the northern and southern regions.
Second: Racial Issues Reappear.
Conflict between the Arabs and the Berbers re-emerged. Especially in the southern part of the kingdom.
Third: Rebellion arises from Arab descendants
There was a rebellion from people of Arab descent. They are the Spaniards who are descended from Arab and Berber marriages. Arabs and Berbers who converted to Islam were called al-Maulud. While their descendants who still hold Christianity are known as al-Musta’rob. This last group became the thorn in the flesh in the history of Muslims in Andalusia.
Fourth Period, Return to Glory (300-368 H)
This fourth period Umayyad Daula II extended the breath of their glory. But it did not last long, only sixty-eight years. Only two kings in power at this time, Abdurrahaman an-Nashir and his son, al-Hakam al-Mustanshir. Abdurrahman an-Nashir succeeded in restoring the glory of Islam in Andalusia after the previous lethargy. He also re-established the union that was before being torn apart.
Because of his great strength and strong legality, Abdurrahman an-Nashir came to be called a caliph. He managed to expand the territory, advance the kingdom, and spread knowledge.
Fifth Period, Masa al-Hajib al-Mansur (368-399 H)
This period is the best period that has never been achieved in previous periods. At this time, the person who ran the government was al-Hajib al-Mansur bin Abi Amir. While the Caliph Hisham was only a mere symbol. This is due to his age that is still so young. He was still a 10-year-old child when his father, al-Hakam al-Mustanshir, died.
Al-Mansur was the largest and most powerful leader ever to lead Andalusians. His strength exceeds Abdurrahman ad-Dakhil though. Jihad fi sabilillah is so powerful in this age. Al-Mansur led up to 50 battles against Spanish Christians. Not once did he experience defeat. For the first time the entire territory of Spain was controlled by the Muslims. With such great achievements, there are still people who do not support it. Even fighting it.
In 392 AH, al-Hajib al-Mansur died. His position was replaced by his son, Abdul Malik. The child succeeded in continuing his father’s reign until 399 AH. After that Andalus was possessed by hypocrisy and darkness for a long time.
The journey of Muslims in Andalusia is not always beautiful. There is a period of progress. There is also a setback. Eight hundred years was decorated with a period of development of science. Also a time of division. Even at the end of the story there was a very terrible event. They were slaughtered. Evicted from Andalusia. And forced into apostasy.
In this second article, we will read about the journey of Muslims in Andalusia in the sixth to tenth periods.
Sixth Period, Period of Chaos and Collapse of the Umayyad Caliphate (399-422 AH).
In this period, successive Andalusians were led by weak Caliphs. The authority of the Umayyad Daula also fell. No doubt this event raises a series of problems. Starting with the call from a group of people to help the Christians in the north in the fight against the kingdom. Then the prick of thorns in the flesh of the Berbers strengthened. They prepared a strategy of resistance against the kingdom. Worse than that, a number of areas in Andalusia, especially in the south, declared independence. Then a strong state emerged. They are known as Daula Bani Hamud.
The main event in this period was the return of ‘ashobiyah (tribal fanatics). Between Arabic and Berbers. And new players emerged, the Saqaliba (European slaves). Initially, al-Hajib al-Mansur employed these people with the aim of equalizing classes between Arabs and Berbers. It turned out that later on, al-Hajib al-Mansur’s policy covered the same problem.
Seventh Period, Little Kings (422-483 AH)
This period is a time of decline and division. A time when Andalusia was previously only controlled by one Islamic kingdom. Now split into small kingdoms that are generally weak. Their kings are power hungry. The leadership is held by the family or tribe. This matter sharpened the issue of race in Andalusia.
The small kingdom that ruled Andalusia at that time consisted of 22 kingdoms. The Berbers controlled the south. Saqaliba to the east. The rest was held by Bani Umayyah clans. Important events that occurred at this time were:
First: Degradation of the Morals of the Kings
The leader will be an example of the people. Their gestures are so visible. Because they are the main characters in the country. So that what they do will quickly spread and affect their people. At this time, leaders transmit weak, timid, and inattentive qualities. As a result, the movement of Christians in the north was not monitored by them.
Second: There was a Civil War
Because they were hungry for power, these little kings fought each other against other Muslim kings. They want to expand their power. War among Muslims is inevitable. Each of these Muslim kingdoms cooperated with their neighboring Christian kingdoms to fight the Muslim empire which became their enemy. This is the peak of the downturn in this period. Establish cooperation with Christians to fight Muslims. There is no more principle of al-waladan al-bara. Loyalty to Muslims. And not loyal to non-Muslims.
Third: Christian union in the North
When the condition of the Muslims was so bad, the Christians in the north actually strengthened their unity. They united under the leadership of Raja Alfonso VI. Under his leadership, Christianity won a great victory over the Muslims in Andalusia. Among the great victories he achieved was to take the City of Toledo. The city that used to be the capital of Andalusia. This victory had such a big impact. Victory whose impact was felt until the collapse of Andalusia.
Fourth: The emergence of tribal fanatics. At this time, tribal fanatics among Muslims in Andalusia were very thick.
Eighth Period, Murabithun Period (484-539 H)
In this period, Muslims again felt a part of the previous glory. The Murabithun were instrumental in conquering the small kingdoms in Andalusia and then melting them into their territory. The kingdom, centered in North Africa, was led by a powerful king named Yusuf bin Tasyfin.
Yusuf bin Tasyfin managed to restore the authority of Muslims in Andalusia. So that Muslims are more respected and respected by Spanish crusaders. He succeeded in crossing his troops from North Africa to Andalusia and defeated the Spanish crusaders in the Zalaqah War (BattleofSagrajas) in 479 H. He succeeded in urging Christians and blocking their crimes against Andalusian Muslims. After getting the victory, Yusuf bin Tasyfin returned to the center of his government in Morocco.
A few years later he returned to Andalusia to fight the small kings who returned to war and endangered the Muslims of Andalusia. The Andalus scholars supported Yusuf bin Tasyfin’s policy. Because there is no other way but to conquer the kings in order to realize unity and strength. This mission was successfully completed in 484 AH
In 609 AH, the crusaders succeeded in gaining a great victory over Muwahhidun in the Battle of al-qIqab (Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa). They bent the Muwahhidun and hastened its collapse. In fact, the Andalusian Muslims also repeatedly rebelled against Muwahhidun. Most likely the trigger was the corrupt creed of the rulers of this kingdom.
Tenth Period, the Reign of Bani al-Ahmar in Granada (630-897 AH)
After the collapse of Muwahhidun, Andalusia was again divided into small, weak regions. This situation makes it easier for Spanish Christians to master them. Successive strategic cities fell into their hands. Starting in Valecia, Cordoba, Murcia and Seville fell in a short time. this situation forced the Muslims to migrate to the Kingdom of Granada in southern Andalus. A kingdom founded by Muhammad bin Yusuf an-Nashri. Whose laqob is Ibn al-Ahmar. His power was passed on by his descendants to collapse in 897 H.
For more than two hundred years, this small kingdom has been crushed to withstand the onslaught of Spanish Christians. In the midst of the protests and boycotts, Granada managed to survive independently. They are supported by people whose profession varies. Starting from farmers, traders, and industry. This is what sustains the economic and military strength of Granada. In addition, they also get help from the Bani Marin in Morocco. They support Granada with mediation and weapons to deal with the Spaniards.
Granada reached the peak of its glory during the reign of Muhammad V of the Children of Ahmar 763 H. After that there was division and civil war in the middle of the Children of Ahmar. In particular the dispute between Ali Abu Hasan and his son Abu Abdullah. Damage to the royal body was inevitable. On the other hand, the kings of Spain united under the leadership of Ferdiand and Isabela. They all allied themselves against Granada.
Beginning in 895 AH, the Spaniards mercilessly stormed Granada. Finally Granada gave up. Precisely on 21 Muharam 897 H. Collapse was the last stronghold of Muslims in Andalusia. With the collapse of Granada, Muslims face a new chapter. A very heartbreaking history to tell. Millions of Muslims were slaughtered and tortured. Others are forced to convert to Christianity. This is the closing page of the 800 years of Muslim rule in Andalusia.
Mizuki 