Muslim rule in Spain-I

Spain is the biggest country of Europe. It is a constitutional monarchy with Madrid as its capital. In Muslim history, Spain is also remembered by its two other names. Andulus and Hispania. Muslims ruled Spain with full grace and glory for about eight centuries. It is they who converted it into the most civilised and the most charming land in the world.
In 714 AD. Spain was ruled by a tyrant Christian ruler, Roderick. An oppressed Christian chief, Julian, appeared before Musa Ibn Nusayr, the Muslim governor of North Africa, and complained about the lust, greed and tyranny of king Roderick. Musa felt sympathy for the oppressed Spaniards. He ordered his famed general, Tariq Ibn Ziyad to conquer Spain and to set things straight there. General Tariq sailed for Spain with an army of 12,000 men.
He anchored at a place around the Spanish coastal areas which later came to be known after his name as Jabl al-Tariq. It is presently called Gibraltar. Soon after landing, General Tariq burnt all his ships so that his men may not think of returning or retreating.
Due to his dare and determination, Tariq defeated a far big and more well-equipped army of Roderick which consisted of more than 100,000 troops. Seated majestically on his splendid throne king Roderick had come to the battlefield with an aroma of great pomp and show. His troops were wearing brand new, glittering uniforms. They were all very well-equipped with all sorts of arms and ammunition. Immediately after his defeat the king fled away from the battlefield.
This is how the Muslim rule started in Spain in 714 AD. The Spanish masses heaved a sigh of relief on getting liberated from the yokes of Roderick's tyrannical rule. Some historians have stated that the Prophet Muhammad (sws) had foretold General Tariq in a dream about the victory of Spain.
The long Muslim rule in Spain could be conveniently divided into three phases:
THREE PHASES OF ISLAMIC RULE:
1.The period of confusion and chaos: 714-756 AD (93-138 AH)
2.The golden era of power and progress: 756-1036 AD (138-428AH)
3.The awful age of anarchy and annihilation: 1036-1492 AD (428-897 AH)
The period of confusion and chaos (714-756 AD)
Spain was conquered during the Umayyad age in 714 AD. The Umayyad rule in Spain started in 714 AD (93 AH). It ended in 756 AD (138 AH). 'Abd al-Aziz, the son of Musa Ibn Nusayr, the conqueror of Spain, was appointed the first amir of Spain. He had married the widow of emperor Frederick. The wicked Christian elements of the vanquished Spain were indulging in mischief-making through the medium of that shrewd woman.
They continued exploiting her as a convenient tool to promote rift among the Muslims and to enhance their own influence. They went on fanning the inter-Muslim differences between Arabs and Berbers, clashes among Syrian and Madinite tribes and conflicts between shias and sunnis. The growing inner divisions and dissensions eventually assumed such a serious magnitude that keeping a solid and united Muslim rule in Spain became impossible.
It was at this critical juncture that the Umayyad prince 'Abd al--Rahman managed to sneak into Spain. That is why he is known as al-Dakhil (the entrant), because he entered into Spain and established his rule over there. 'Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil defeated the tottering Syrian government in Spain with the help of a handful of Berber troops. By l0th Dhu al-Hajj, 138 AH he had captured the whole of Spain. With that, the first Umayyad phase of confusion and chaos came to a permanent end.
The most unfortunate feature of the first phase of Muslim rule in Spain is their failure to rule properly. Although the conquering Muslims were far superior in sciences and civilisation to the local population, yet they were unable to control them properly due to their internal dissensions, intrigues and insurgencies. Consequently, throughout this phase confusion and chaos prevailed all over. The non-Muslim chiefs of the vanquished territories kept on dreaming of driving the victorious Muslims out of Spain. The fanatic Christians even wished to efface all signs of Islamic culture and civilisation.
A positive aspect of this phase, however, was that despite all the dissension and disorder the Muslim mujahids kept on launching raids on southern France from Spain. They even captured quite a number of the French areas. However, after a great deal of alternating advances and reversals the Muslim armies had to quit France ultimately.
The golden era of power and progress (756-1036 AD)
The golden era of Muslims rule in Spain starts in 756 AD (138 AH) with the advent of the rule of 'Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil. It ends in 1036 AD (428 AH). He ruled for about 33 years. He laid solid foundations of a sovereign and progressive Umayyad government. Instead of adopting the rather exalted little of a khalifah he preferred to be called as amir.
'Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil overpowered intrigues and insurgencies very wisely. He displayed statesmanship of a high calibre in administering the Muslim state. He reorganised the system of law and justice. He was extremely fond of knowledge and learning. He invited celebrated scholars from all over the world and organised specialised debates and discussions. It was mainly due to his patronage of knowledge that Spain eventually rose to the position of the world centre of arts and sciences.
He took keen interest in constructing magnificent mosques and beautiful buildings. Qartaba, the capital of the Muslim Spain, was turned into an extremely pretty metropolis. He raised a charming garden outside the Qartaba city. Flower and fruit trees of a vast variety were planted in that garden. A date-palm tree, specially imported from Syria, was also planted to serve as a refreshing symbol of the great Arab civilisation and culture. The eminent eastern poet, Iqbal, has also penned a poem on this historic tree in his famous book, Bal-i-Jibril. Construction of the historic mosque at Qartaba was also started during the reign of 'Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil.
On his death his son, Hisham Ibn 'Abd al-Rahman succeeded him in 788 AD as the amir of Spain. Southern France was invaded and captured again during his reign. Arabic was made compulsory. A pleasant effect of this measure was that the local population began to learn and gain directly from the Islamic sciences. This opened up new visions and vistas in their thought and behaviour. The resultant mental cultural and professional changes then served as solid base for the Renaissance Movement to spread in the whole of Europe.
Hakam I succeeded Hisham as amir. As he conquered several other areas in France he came to be known as "The Conqueror". After him, many others came to rule one after the other till the famed 'Abd al-Rahman III became the ruler in 912 AD. He consolidated Muslim rule further. In 929 AD he adopted the title of khalifah instead of the amir. He earned global name and fame for his wisdom, courage, conquests and administrative ability. Many foreign countries established diplomatic, ties with the great Islamic state.
Mutayan Billah was the last Umayyad ruler of Spain. After him the government got transferred to Muhammad Ibn Amr Mansur, the founder of the Amr dynasty. Like 'Abd al-Rahman III, Muhammad Amr too was a great ruler in the history of Spain. He earned exceptional honour and respect for his bravery, wisdom, justice and simplicity. He ruled for 27 years. He led such a large number of fruitful jihads that he came to be known as "The Victorious". Mansur died in 1006 AD. After a few of his successors the rule of the Mansur dynasty came to a close in Spain in 1036 A.D. That year also marks the end of the golden era of Muslim power and progress in Spain.
(To be concluded)