Difference between revisions of "Idrisid dynasty" - New World Encyclopedia
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The '''Idrisids''' ([[Arabic]], '''الأدارسة''' )were the first [[Sayyid]] [[Shia]] dynasty in the western [[Maghreb]] ruling from [[788]] to [[985]].<ref>Their territories included the modern [[exclaves]] of [[Spain]], [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]].</ref> | The '''Idrisids''' ([[Arabic]], '''الأدارسة''' )were the first [[Sayyid]] [[Shia]] dynasty in the western [[Maghreb]] ruling from [[788]] to [[985]].<ref>Their territories included the modern [[exclaves]] of [[Spain]], [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]].</ref> | ||
| − | The dynasty is named after its first [[sultan]], [[Idris I]]. | + | The dynasty is named after its first [[sultan]], [[Idris I]]. The tradition of Sharifian rule that they established continued in the Maghreb, where the Kings of Morocco are still Sayyids, that is, descendants of [[Muhammad]]. Descent from Muhammad or from one of his relatives has often helped legitimize a Muslim’s claim to the throne of the state they govern. Situated between the [[Fatimids Caliphate|Fatimids]] in Egypt and the [[Umayyads]] in Cordoba, they were vulnerable to both despite the fact that the Fatimids were fellow Shi’a. They tried to walk a diplomatic tight-rope at times appeasing one, then the other. They eventually fell to the Caliph of Cordoba, although for some time their survival had depended on Cordoba’s support. They were also responsible for the Arabization of Northern Morocco. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | + | ===Origins=== | |
| − | The founder of the dynasty was [[Idris ibn Abdallah]] (788-791), who traced his ancestry back to [[Ali ibn Abi Talib]] and his wife [[Fatima]], daughter of the [[Muhammad|Prophet Muhammad]]. As a [[Sayyid]] [[ | + | The founder of the dynasty was [[Idris ibn Abdallah]] (788-791), who traced his ancestry back to [[Ali ibn Abi Talib]] and his wife [[Fatima]], daughter of the [[Muhammad|Prophet Muhammad]]. As a [[Sayyid]] [[Shi'a]] he was persecuted by the [[Abbasids]] and fled to the [[Maghreb]] in 786, where he was taken in by the [[Berbers]]. Since the [[Maysara]] uprising against Arab rule (739-742), the authority of the [[Caliphate]] in North Africa had been compromised; the new kingdom of Idris I represented the first autonomous Islamic state in [[Morocco]]. |
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| + | ===Consolidation=== | ||
| + | His son [[Idris II]] (791-828) developed the area of [[Fes|Fez]], already colonised by his father, as a royal residence and capital. This became an important center of Islamic learning and culture not only in the region but also beyond. Through the settlement of refugees from [[Kairouan]] and [[Andalusia]] the city quickly became the focus for the Islamification and Arabisation of North Africa. At about the same time, an alternate summer capital [[Basra, Morocco|Basra]] was constructed and named after the famous [[Shi’a]] city in southern [[Iraq]]. | ||
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| + | The Idrisids established the principle of Sharifian dynastic rule in Morocco that has continued to the present, regardless of whether the ruler is Shi’a or, as currently, Sunni. Perhaps their most significant achievement lies in their “firmly implanting Islam in that corner of Africa and establishing a flourishing trade” with the Sub-Saharan region. <ref>Ochsenwald and Fischer, 71</ref> | ||
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The realm was also extended through campaigns into the high [[Atlas Mountains]] and against [[Tlemcen]], with the result that the Idrisid state became the most significant power in Morocco, ahead of the principalites of the [[Bargawata]], the [[Salihid]]s, the [[Miknasa]] and the [[Maghrawa]] of [[Sijilmasa]]. | The realm was also extended through campaigns into the high [[Atlas Mountains]] and against [[Tlemcen]], with the result that the Idrisid state became the most significant power in Morocco, ahead of the principalites of the [[Bargawata]], the [[Salihid]]s, the [[Miknasa]] and the [[Maghrawa]] of [[Sijilmasa]]. | ||
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Under [[Muhammad ibn Idris|Muhammad]] (828-836) the kingdom was divided amongst eight brothers, whereby several Idrisid statelets formed in northern Morocco. This led to intensified power struggles and the weakening of the Idrisids. Even when the realm was reunified under [[Yahya ibn Idris ibn Umar|Yahya IV]] (904-917), it still lost significance through internal strife and attacks from the [[Fatimid]] dynasty aided by their local [[Miknasa]] allies. | Under [[Muhammad ibn Idris|Muhammad]] (828-836) the kingdom was divided amongst eight brothers, whereby several Idrisid statelets formed in northern Morocco. This led to intensified power struggles and the weakening of the Idrisids. Even when the realm was reunified under [[Yahya ibn Idris ibn Umar|Yahya IV]] (904-917), it still lost significance through internal strife and attacks from the [[Fatimid]] dynasty aided by their local [[Miknasa]] allies. | ||
| + | ==Collapse== | ||
After defeats by the [[Fatimid]]s in 917-920 the Idrisids were driven from Fez and control given to the [[Miknasa]]. [[Hassan I al-Hajam]] managed to wrest control of [[Fes|Fez]] for a couple of years but he was the last of the dynasty to hold power there. | After defeats by the [[Fatimid]]s in 917-920 the Idrisids were driven from Fez and control given to the [[Miknasa]]. [[Hassan I al-Hajam]] managed to wrest control of [[Fes|Fez]] for a couple of years but he was the last of the dynasty to hold power there. | ||
| − | Only with the support of the | + | Only with the support of the Umayyad Caliphs of Cordoba]] could the dynasty subsequently hold out against the [[Fatimid]]s and their allies. After 926 the Idrisids abandoned Fez for good and withdrew to the valleys of the [[Rif]] mountains, where they had a stronghold in the fortress of [[Hajar an-Nasar]]. They were also protected to some extent by the reluctance of tribal elders to wipe out entirely the local descendents of the [[Muhammad|Prophet Muhammad]]'s family. |
The last Idrisid made the mistake of switching allegiances back to the [[Fatimid]]s, and was deposed and executed in [[985]] by the [[Caliphate of Cordoba]]. The dynasty was succeeded in Morocco by the principality of the [[Maghrawa]]. | The last Idrisid made the mistake of switching allegiances back to the [[Fatimid]]s, and was deposed and executed in [[985]] by the [[Caliphate of Cordoba]]. The dynasty was succeeded in Morocco by the principality of the [[Maghrawa]]. | ||
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* [[Abu l-Aish Ahmad]] - (948-954) | * [[Abu l-Aish Ahmad]] - (948-954) | ||
* [[Al-Hasan ben Kannun]], known as "Hassan II" - (954-974) (not to be confused with [[Hassan II]], born in 1929) | * [[Al-Hasan ben Kannun]], known as "Hassan II" - (954-974) (not to be confused with [[Hassan II]], born in 1929) | ||
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| − | + | ==Notes== | |
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| − | + | ==References== | |
| − | + | * Esposito, John L (ed) ''The Oxford History of Islam,'' NY: Oxford University Press, 2000 ISBN 978-0195107999 | |
| − | + | * McEvedy, Colin (Author), Woodroffe, David (Illustrator) ''The New Penguin Atlas of Medieval History'', NY: Penguin, 1992 ISBN 978-0140512496 | |
| − | + | * Ochsenwald, William and Fisher, Sydney Nettleton ''The Middle East: A History'', NY: McGraw-Hill, 2004 ISBN 978-0072442335 | |
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| + | [[Category:History]] | ||
{{Credit|173080802}} | {{Credit|173080802}} | ||
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Revision as of 23:59, 13 December 2007
.PNG)
The Idrisids (Arabic, الأدارسة )were the first Sayyid Shia dynasty in the western Maghreb ruling from 788 to 985.[1] The dynasty is named after its first sultan, Idris I. The tradition of Sharifian rule that they established continued in the Maghreb, where the Kings of Morocco are still Sayyids, that is, descendants of Muhammad. Descent from Muhammad or from one of his relatives has often helped legitimize a Muslim’s claim to the throne of the state they govern. Situated between the Fatimids in Egypt and the Umayyads in Cordoba, they were vulnerable to both despite the fact that the Fatimids were fellow Shi’a. They tried to walk a diplomatic tight-rope at times appeasing one, then the other. They eventually fell to the Caliph of Cordoba, although for some time their survival had depended on Cordoba’s support. They were also responsible for the Arabization of Northern Morocco.
History
Origins
The founder of the dynasty was Idris ibn Abdallah (788-791), who traced his ancestry back to Ali ibn Abi Talib and his wife Fatima, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad. As a Sayyid Shi'a he was persecuted by the Abbasids and fled to the Maghreb in 786, where he was taken in by the Berbers. Since the Maysara uprising against Arab rule (739-742), the authority of the Caliphate in North Africa had been compromised; the new kingdom of Idris I represented the first autonomous Islamic state in Morocco.
Consolidation
His son Idris II (791-828) developed the area of Fez, already colonised by his father, as a royal residence and capital. This became an important center of Islamic learning and culture not only in the region but also beyond. Through the settlement of refugees from Kairouan and Andalusia the city quickly became the focus for the Islamification and Arabisation of North Africa. At about the same time, an alternate summer capital Basra was constructed and named after the famous Shi’a city in southern Iraq.
The Idrisids established the principle of Sharifian dynastic rule in Morocco that has continued to the present, regardless of whether the ruler is Shi’a or, as currently, Sunni. Perhaps their most significant achievement lies in their “firmly implanting Islam in that corner of Africa and establishing a flourishing trade” with the Sub-Saharan region. [2]
The realm was also extended through campaigns into the high Atlas Mountains and against Tlemcen, with the result that the Idrisid state became the most significant power in Morocco, ahead of the principalites of the Bargawata, the Salihids, the Miknasa and the Maghrawa of Sijilmasa.
Under Muhammad (828-836) the kingdom was divided amongst eight brothers, whereby several Idrisid statelets formed in northern Morocco. This led to intensified power struggles and the weakening of the Idrisids. Even when the realm was reunified under Yahya IV (904-917), it still lost significance through internal strife and attacks from the Fatimid dynasty aided by their local Miknasa allies.
Collapse
After defeats by the Fatimids in 917-920 the Idrisids were driven from Fez and control given to the Miknasa. Hassan I al-Hajam managed to wrest control of Fez for a couple of years but he was the last of the dynasty to hold power there.
Only with the support of the Umayyad Caliphs of Cordoba]] could the dynasty subsequently hold out against the Fatimids and their allies. After 926 the Idrisids abandoned Fez for good and withdrew to the valleys of the Rif mountains, where they had a stronghold in the fortress of Hajar an-Nasar. They were also protected to some extent by the reluctance of tribal elders to wipe out entirely the local descendents of the Prophet Muhammad's family.
The last Idrisid made the mistake of switching allegiances back to the Fatimids, and was deposed and executed in 985 by the Caliphate of Cordoba. The dynasty was succeeded in Morocco by the principality of the Maghrawa.
Rulers
- Idris I - (788-791)
- Idris II - (791-828)
- Muhammad ibn Idris - (828-836)
- Ali ibn Idris, known as "Ali I" - (836-848)
- Yahya ibn Muhammad, known as "Yahya I" - (848-864)
- Yahya ibn Yahya, known as "Yahya II" - (864-874)
- Ali ibn Umar, known as "Ali II" - (874-883)
- Yahya ibn Al-Qassim, known as "Yahya III" - (883-904)
- Yahya ibn Idris ibn Umar, known as "Yahya IV" - (904-917)
- Fatimid dynasty overlordship - (922-925)
- Hassan I al-Hajjam - (925-927)
- Fatimid overlordship - (927-937)
- Al Qasim Gannum - (937-948)
- Abu l-Aish Ahmad - (948-954)
- Al-Hasan ben Kannun, known as "Hassan II" - (954-974) (not to be confused with Hassan II, born in 1929)
Notes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Esposito, John L (ed) The Oxford History of Islam, NY: Oxford University Press, 2000 ISBN 978-0195107999
- McEvedy, Colin (Author), Woodroffe, David (Illustrator) The New Penguin Atlas of Medieval History, NY: Penguin, 1992 ISBN 978-0140512496
- Ochsenwald, William and Fisher, Sydney Nettleton The Middle East: A History, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2004 ISBN 978-0072442335
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