Abd al-Rahman
From Mw
`Abdul-Rahman bin Mu`awiah bin Hisham bin `Abdul-Malik (Arabic: عبد الرحمن الداخل) born 731 CE (112 AH) also knows as the Hawk of the Quraysh and the the Falcon of Andalus. He ruled Al Andalus for 33 years and 4 months. He never lost a battle. He left twenty three children, eleven boys, and twelve girls.
| The Spanish Umayyads | |
|---|---|
| Abd al-Rahman | 756 CE (138 AH) |
| Hisham I | 788 CE (171 AH) |
| al-Hakam | 796 CE (179 AH) |
| Abd al-Rahman II | 822 CE (206 AH) |
| Muhammad I | 852 CE (237 AH) |
| al-Mundhir | 886 CE (272 AH) |
| 'Abdallah b. Muhammad I | 888 CE (274 AH) |
| 'Abd al-Rahman III | 912 CE (299 AH) |
| al-Hakam II | 961 CE (349 AH) |
| Hisham II | 976 CE (365 AH) |
| Muhammad II | 1009 CE (399 AH) |
| Sulayman b. al-Hakam | 1009 CE (399 AH) |
| Hisham II | 1010 CE (400 AH) |
| Sulayman b. al-Hakam | 1013 CE (403 AH) |
| Ali ibn Hammud | 1016 CE (406 AH) |
| Abd al-Rahman IV | 1018 CE (408 AH) |
| al-Qasim | 1021 CE (411 AH) |
| Yahya b Ali | 1023 CE (413 AH) |
| al-Qasim | 1023 CE (413 AH) |
| Abd al-Rahman V | 1023 CE (413 AH) |
| Muhammad III | 1024 CE (414 AH) |
| Yahya b Ali | 1025 CE (415 AH) |
| Hisham III | 1027 CE (417 AH) |
The Umayyad dynastical rule ended in 750 CE (132 AH) with the death of Abu 'Abd al-Malik Marwan II. The Abbasids now in power with 'Abdallah b. Muhammad al-Imam as Caliph embarked on a massacre of all remaining Umayyad family members. Abd al-Rahman was one of the few members to escape with his life.
Contents |
[edit] Escape from the Abbassids
"When the slaughter began, he made hiw way to Rah near the Euphrates where he was joined by the surviving members of his family, including his two sisters, his younger brother and his son. He had scarcely arrived when he was informed that his Abbasid pursuers had surrounded the house he was hiding in. He and his thirteen year old brother ran from the house and plunged into the Euphrates. Abd al-Rahman reached the other side and turned witnessing the death of his younger brother who had turned back after being told by his pursuers that they would not harm him, and who was beheaded on the spot as he was within their grasp"[1]
[edit] Arrival in Al-Andalus
After a long journey across North Africa, Abd al-Rahman arrived on the shores of Africa facing Al Andalus. Many people rallied around him and he defeated his opponents on the banks of the Guadalquivir on 9th Dhul-Hijjah 138 (18th May 756). Cordoba was captured the following day , the day of Eid al-Adah
[edit] Governance of Al-Andalus
In order to unify Al Andalus Abd al-Rahman united the various tribes within and repel attacks from the Abbasid Caliph from the East. He executed all leaders that opposed him and forgave all those that accepted him,
The first attack from the East came in 763 CE (145 AH) which was repelled. The Abbasids sent an envoy to King Charlemagne in the south of France. They arranged to incite a rebellion with Andalus, which was to be coordinated with an attack led by Charlemagne in the North. However there was little or no coordination and the rebellion was pacified leaving Abd al-Rahman free to rout Charlemagnes army that arrived in 778 CE (161 AH) and was ambushed at Roncesvalles. Charlemagne subsequently signed a treaty, even offering his daughter in marrage, which was politely refused [2]
[edit] Cordoba as the Capital
Abd al-Rahman made Cordoba his capital. He greatly improved its infrastructure. He built an aqueduct to provide water from the neighbouring Mountain, planted beautiful gardens which he called Mun'yat ar-Risafah in rememberance of a beautiful villa near Damascus which his grandfather Hisham had built. He commissioned a botanist to procure for him in the Eas various fruits and plants, that could be naturalised in Andalus, thus introducing the peach, the pomegranate called safari. One of his greatest contributions was the beginning of the Great Mosque in Cordoba in 786 CE (169 AH). It was built on the site of the Cathedral of Cordoba, having purchased it for 100,000 gold dinars. Also a strong wall was built around Cordoba, and every City in Andalus, Mosques, public baths, bridges and castles were erected.
[edit] What others say about Abd al-Rahman
[edit] His Description
- Ibn Zaydun says that Abd al-Rahman had a clear complexion, with reddish hair, he had high cheek bones, with a mole on his face:he was tall and slender in body, wore his hair parted in two ringlets, could not see out of one eye, and was destitute of the sense of smelling[3]
- He was eloquent in speach,quick perception, he would never lie, he wasn't self indulgent, he administered the affairs of government himself, always consulted with the wise and experienced, he was brave and an intrepid warrier.[4]
[edit] His Dress
He always dressed in white, wore a white turban.
[edit] References
- ↑ The Muslims in Andalus - Ahmad Thomson - page 31
- ↑ ibid page 32
- ↑ P.de Gayangos, Muhammadan Dynasties in Spain, II p 94
- ↑ ibid
- Ahmad Thomson Islam in Andalus taha publishers ltd ISBN 1-897940-52-1
- dictionary al-islam
