The Maghreb HIST /6/13

The Spread of Islam

North Africa before Islam Not integrated into empires Urban centers – Connections to Europe and Byzantium – Christianity Small scale agriculture Pastoralist nomads Berbers Roman amphitheater in El Djem, Tunisia

Arab Conquests : First invasion, across Libya – First Fitna : Second invasion, conquer Tunisia – Second Fitna : Third invasion, conquer Morocco 711: Invasion of Spain Establish numerous small states Qayrawan: Capital of Arab Ifriqiya Great Mosque of Qayrawan, Tunisia

Berbers and Islam Subject population vs. welcomed converts Jizya and slavery Kharijism : Berber Revolt – Berber tribal revolt – With Islamic trappings Ends with Berber states centered on trading posts Rustamids (r ): Kharijite Berber state centered on Tahert

Idrisids (r ) Zaydi Shi’ites Idriss I (r ): grandson of the Shi’ite Imam Hasan b. `Ali and founder of Idrisid state 787 – Flees `Abbasids Seeks help of Awraba Berbers Marries daughter of chief (birth of Morocco?) Uses Shi’ite charisma and Berber muscle to conquer Morocco Tomb of Idris I, Moulay Idriss, Morocco

Idrisids and Fez 789 – Establish the city of Fez as Idrisid capital Encourage immigration of Arabs Especially those escaping from `Abbasids and Umayyads of Spain Establish a core of Arab supporters to counter Berbers

`Abbasids and Aghlabids Aghlabids (r ) `Abbasid governors of Ifriqiya turned independent dynasty Centered on Qayrawan The Wild West – Rebellious Arab soldiers – Berber attacks

Aghlabids and Italy 827 – 902: Conquest of Sicily – Part of Byzantine Empire – Along with southern Italy 847 – 871: Emirate of Bari – Muslim state on Italian Peninsula 9 th century piracy 965 – 1091: Emirate of Sicily Norman conquest of Italy Arabs in the Norman court Painting made for Norman king of Palermo, 1150

Fatimids in North Africa Isma`ili Shi’ite missionaries convert Kutana Berbers 909: al-Mahdi declares himself caliph Establish capital in Tunisia Conquest of North Africa (and Sicily) Destruction of Kharijite dynasties 969: Conquest of Egypt 972: Abandonment of North Africa Walls of Mahdia, first Fatimid capital

Zirids (r ) Sanhaja Berbers governing North Africa for the Fatimids Removal of Fatimid resources, especially navy Sicily becomes fully independent 1016: Shi’ite revolt violently put down 1049: Zirids break with Fatimids, recognize `Abbasid authority

New Arab Invasions Banu Hilal and Banu Sulaym Bedouin Arab tribes sent by Fatimids 1057: Zirids lose Qayrawan Breakdown of unified North Africa Hammadids (r ): Sanhaja Berber offshoot of Zirids ruling north-eastern Algeria Beni Hammad Fort

Almoravids (r ) Sanhaja Berbers from the Western Sahara Trans-Saharan Trade Gold-Salt Trade Sijilmasa: Key trade center in northern Sahara Almoravids pressured by Zanata Berbers to the north and the Ghana Empire to the south

Almoravids and Islam 1040: Berber chieftain goes on pilgrimage to Mecca `Abdallah b. Yasin: Maliki religious scholar from Qayrawan returns with chieftan Teaches Qur’an, hadith, and law Enforces strict moral code – No music, no alcohol, changes tax codes Promotes coming of the last days The inner jihad Ribat – al-murabitun - Almoravids

Maraboutism Marabout: religious scholar and teacher, but also Sufi saint Guide to a religious community Syncretism Ribat – murabit – marabout Baraka, shrines, and ziyara A marabout’s tomb in southern Morocco

Almoravids 1055 – take Sijilmasa from Ghana Establish control over Trans-Saharan Trade 1070 – Establish Marrakesh as capital 1080 – complete conquest of Morocco 1082 – aid requested from Spanish Muslims Create a single state uniting Sahara, Morocco, and Spain

Almoravids and Empire Amir al-muslimin Scribes from Spain Christian mercenaries Black ghulam Maliki religious scholars Elimination of Shi’ism and Kharijism Almoravid General Abu Bakr

Muhammad b. `Abdallah b. Tumart (ca ) Berber religious scholar who studied in Baghdad and Damascus Mixture of strict Sunni law with Sufi charisma 1117: Returns to Morocco as a fiery, puritan preacher Heir to the Prophet Return to the time of the Prophet Mahdi, imam, and ma`sun (sinless) Berber military strength with religious charisma Ibn Tumart Mosque