ISLAMIC HISTORY OF

EUROPE
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Countries Covered
Countries Covered (2)
ISLAMIC HISTORY
OF EUROPE
 First Venture In Spain

● When the Muslims became

Masters of North Africa they
were literally staring into Spain.
The Governor of North Africa
Musa b. Nusayr deputed his
lieutenant Tariq b. Ziyad to
undertake an expedition to Spain.
 Tariq Bin Ziyad Lands at
GIBRALTAR

● Therefore, in 711 CE,

Tariq b. Ziyad with a Force of
12,000 men sailed across the
straits and landed at the base of
a huge rock which came to be
known after him as JABAL-
I-TARIQ or
MOUNTAIN OF GIBRALTAR.
 Encounter With King Roderick’s
Forces of 100,000

● From Gibraltar the Muslim Forces

headed for Jiroz in the valley of
Lakka on the banks of river Guadlite
near the city called Madina Sidonia.
There they encountered a force of
100,000 lead by King Roderick who
drowned in the river during the
course of the battle.
The Capital TOLEDO Falls To
The Muslims

● Triumphing over King Roderick’s

forces who had outnumbered them by
nearly 9 to 1, the Muslim Army then
marched towards the Capital Toledo
which offered very little resistance,
hence the Capital Toledo was also
occupied.
Almost Half of Spain Comes
Under Muslim Control

● AfterToledo, many cities

fell one by one to the
Muslims who by the end of
711 CE took almost half of
Spain Lead by Tariq Bin Ziyad.
A SECOND MUSLIM
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE . LANDS IN
SPAIN FROM THE
NORTH WESTERN ROUTES
● The following year in June, the Governor of
● The following year in June, the Governor of
North
North Africa
Africa who
who had
had initiated
initiated the
the Campaign
Campaign of of
Spain
Spain by
by sending
sending Tariq
Tariq b.
b. Ziyad
Ziyad onon it,
it, himself
himself
landed
landed in
in Spain
Spain at at the
the head
head ofof an
an 18,000
18,000 strong
strong
force
force by
by the
the North
North Western
Western Route
Route andand after
after
liberating
liberating many
many cities
cities met
met up
up with
with the
the Tariq
Tariq b.
b.
Ziyad
Ziyad and
and his
his forces
forces stationed
stationed in in Toledo
Toledo andand
together
together they
they advanced
advanced further
further afield
afield and
and took
took
Aragon.
Aragon. The
The Governor
Governor of of Aragon
Aragon offered
offered
allegiance
allegiance to to the
the Muslims
Muslims and and accepted
accepted Islam
Islam
and
and by
by 714
714 CE CE almost
almost the
the whole
whole ofof Spain
Spain was
was
liberated
liberated byby Muslims
Muslims
 MUSLIMS ARRIVE AT
.
THE PYRANESE IN
SOUTHERN FRANCE
● Together, Musa b. Nusayr and
Tariq b. Ziyad then advanced
towards the Pyranese in
Southern France with an
ambitious plan to LIBERATE
the whole of Southern Europe
CAPITAL OF ISLAMIC SPAIN
SHIFTED TO CORDOBA
● Within Spain itself, there then followed a
period of about 40 years during which
there were no less than 13 Governors In
Spain, and this frequent turnover of
heads of Government meant that no one
Governor had time to put in place
substantial Islamic Reforms in the social
fabric of Spain, and during this period
the Capital of Islamic Spain was also
shifted from Toledo to Cordoba.
 ABDUL RAHMAN BECOMES
AMEER OF ISLAMIC SPAIN

● Then in 756 CE Abdul Rahman took

over the Governorship of Spain, and
his rule lasted for over 30 years. He
assumed the title of Amir.
 A JUST RULER AND A
.
WISE STATESMAN

● Abdul Rahman has been

Described as
A Skilful General,
A Just Ruler and
A Wise Statesman
 FREE BOARDING AND
LODGING FOR STUDENTS

● He Organised the Administration on sound

lines. This was the period of revival of
learning whence educational institutions
were established all across the country, and
not only this but to ensure that learners and
students can concentrate more fully on their
academic goals, hostels were constructed
offering free boarding and lodgings to
students. Paved Lit roads, Inns and Public
baths were common features of many cities.
CITY GATES,
A GRAND MOSQUE &
A GARDEN PALACE
● He also had the City walls of Cardova
reconstructed with seven major City Gates.
A Grand Mosque was also built in Cordoba
whose distinctive features included a solid
Gold Lamp over the pulpit, 193 white marble
pillars, 19 arches and 19 big gates. He also
had a Beautiful Garden Palace built which
was named “Muawiyat-ul-Rusafa” named
after the villa of his grand father Hisham in
Damascus.
 AND DATE TREES
INTRODUCED
● He also had constructed an Aqueduct
for the supply of water to Cordoba and
also built other canals all of which
improved the agriculture. He then
introduced many Exotic Plants to Spain
where for the first time Date Trees
were planted. He also constructed a
Huge Bridge over the Guadelquiver
River.
 Successor Of Amir
AbdulRahman

● HISHAM 788 – 796 C.E.

 HISHAM 788 - 796

● Ameer AbdulRahman was succeeded by his third son

Hisham who was born of a Spanish Lady Hulal, One
possible reason for his accession despite being the
third son could have been that he had proven
Administrative Capabilities as Governor of Merida,
and whilst one of his two elder brothers Sulaiman
was also a governor of another province i.e. Toledo
but the political sagacity and administrative acumen
of Hisham must have been superior to those of his
elder brothers for which reason we believe he was
chosen to succeed his father notwithstanding the
fact that he was the third son.
 BACKGROUND TO THE
INVASION OF SOUTHERN
FRANCE
● In the short 8 years of Hisham’s rule,
there were various revolts most of
which were instigated by the French.
Having thoroughly subjugated the
insurrectionists within his dominion,
Hisham then decided to sort out once
and for all the source of the
instigation of the various uprisings.
 ISLAMIC SOUTHERN
FRANCE

● Consequently, in 792 CE, he sent an

expeditionary force under the
command of Abu Usman which crossed
the Pyrenese and confronted the
French Forces at Narbonne and
Goronna and defeated them.
Subsequently, Narbonne was appointed
the Capital of Islamic Southern
France
 DUKE OF TORTOSA,
KING OF AUSTRIA & ALFANSO II
DEFEATED. (1)

● Having secured Southern France and

turning it into an Islamic Dominion,
Hisham thus ensured that there would
be no more infiltration of incitements
from that side of the borders. He then
launched campaigns against William
the Duke of Tortosa who was defeated
and sued for terms of Peace.
 DUKE OF TORTOSA,
KING OF AUSTRIA & ALFANSO II
DEFEATED(2)

● A Similar Campaign was Launched

towards AUSTRIA, and Bermudo I, The
King of Austria surrendered after a short
battle and became a vassal of the
Muslims
● Another Expedition was launched
towards GALACIA and ALFANSO II The
Ruler of Galicia was defeated and he
also became a serf of the Muslims.
 PUBLIC WORKS
ACHIEVEMENTS OF HISHAM

● Hisham completed the Construction of

Cordoba Mosque and the Big Bridge
over Guadliquiver River begun by his
father.
 PUBLIC WORKS (2)
ACHIEVEMENTS OF HISHAM

● And even though his reign was short

lasting for only 8 years, but still he
managed to construct and complete
many public buildings including
several schools, highlighting once
again, the high value attached in
Islam to Knowledge and it’s
Acquisition.
DEATH AND ASSESSMENT

● HISHAM died in 796 CE at the relatively

young age of 40. His main passion was
to establish the Islamic Way of Life, and
hence, one is forced to wonder if the
many French Instigated revolts against
him were because of this. He lived a
simple and frugal life. He was God
Fearing and was known for his Impartial
Justice and Sound Administration
 Al-HAKAM 796 - 822 CE

●After the death of his father HISHAM, AL-

HAKAM took over the Emirate of Islamic
Spain at the age of only 22
STRUGGLE TO CAPTURE THE EMIRATE
FROM AL-HAKAM
Perhaps due to the fact that AL-HAKAM was very
young (Only 22) at the time of Accession to the
Emirate, many of his peers including two of his
Uncles Abdullah and Sulaiman revolted against him
whilst some of his opponents also fought one another
but AL-HAKAM managed to suppress all of them.
 Al-Muzaffar
(The Great Warrior)
● After suppressing the various internal
revolts, AL-HAKAM then launched
campaigns against the Christians and
recovered territories lost to them in earlier
wars.
As a Result, The French Invaded Spain in 803 CE
and captured Saragosa but later on they were
driven out. In 812 the French Invaded again and
captured Lusitania. Four years later they were
thoroughly subdued and sued for Peace
undertaking not to Invade Spain again
 Al-Muzaffar
(The Great Warrior)2.
● BUILT A STRONG NAVY
AL-HAKAM built a STRONG Navy and undertook
several Naval Expeditions in the Mediterranean
between 816 - 818 CE Liberating the Islands of IZIRA,
MAJORCA and SARDINIA
Title of AL-MUZAFFAR GIVEN
As a result of his Victories over the Christians and
the French and his liberation of the Islands of IZIRA,
MAJORCA and SARDINIA he was given the Title of
AL-MUZAFFAR, the GREAT WARRIOR,
 DEATH & ASSESSMENT OF
AL-HAKAM
● AL-HAKAM died in 822 at the age of 48, and the
very strange coincidence is that his father HISHAM
also died very young at age 40
But what marked him out as being different from his
father was that AL-HAKAM was more of a liberal in
matters of Theology and he was against the
Theologians having a monopoly over power.
Some labelled him as “The Great Warrior” whilst
Others called him a Tyrant, but those who did so, fail
to acknowledge his Tolerance when he allowed
amnesty to many rebel leaders and to the French
whom he had defeated, he allowed peace on terms
ABDUL RAHMAN II
822 - 852 CE
● AL-HAKAM was succeeded by his son
ABDUL RAHMAN II at the age of 31, and by the
time of his accession his father had done well to
consolidate and stabilise the Kingdom.

MUSLIMS ADVANCE INTO CENTRAL FRANCE

The Count of Navarre and Lord Aizon both of whom who had sworn
allegiance to the King of France changed sides and allied themselves
with the Muslims as a result of which the French invaded these
principalities. The Muslim Forces were then obliged to come to the
assistance of their allies and in doing so had advanced deep into
Central France.
 DEATH AND ASSESSMENT OF ABDUL
RAHMAN II’s Reign 822 - 852 CE

● ABDUL RAHMAN II died in 852 CE

During his reign the Fame of Muslim Arts, Culture,
Sciences and that of the Spanish Muslim Universities
spread all around the world
Some of the many fine buildings that he constructed
included those built along the banks of river
Guadalquiver and some beautiful gardens in the City
of Cordoba and water for the city was drawn from the
Sierra Morena Mountains through lead pipes which
was a major engineering marvel in those times.
ABDUL RAHMAN III 912 - 961 CE
Nominated heir apparent at the age of 20
days

● ABDUL RAHMAN III was appointed the heir apparent

in his infancy at the tender age of 20 days and as he
grew up he was tutored by his grand father.
● One possible benefit of nominating someone in that
persons infancy is that as the child grows up every
body knows what his eventual role would be, hence
if there was any chance of any opposition to his
accession then that would have materialised before
the accession and would have been dealt with there
and then.
ABDUL RAHMAN III 912 - 961 CE
CONSOLIDATED THE DOMINION AT THE
VERY OUTSET

● Right from the START ABDUL RAHMAN III instituted

a programme of consolidation of the State by
bringing all the Autonomous and semi- independent
principalities under the Central Rule whilst a
measure of local autonomy on such regions.
● SEVILLE RE-INCORPORATED IN THE DOMINION
● After a battle SEVILLE was re-incorporated into the
Dominion and the local chieftains were allowed
concessional terms who then reconciled themselves
to ABDUL RAHMAN III being the Amir
ABDUL RAHMAN III 912 - 961 CE
CONSOLIDATED THE DOMINION AT THE
VERY OUTSET

● 2 YEAR SEIGE OF TOLEDO

● In pursuance of his policy of CONSOLIDATION under Central Rule
ABDULRAHMAN III solicited the participation of the people of TOLEDO
in the Centralised Emirate but they did not Fall in line And defied the Amir
who then had to send in the federal troops, but the people of TOLEDO Shut
themselves inside their city.
● Abdul Rahman III then laid siege to the town refusing to use force against
the people of TOLEDO but the actual method that he used to lay the siege
was VERY UNIQUE indeed.
● He actually built a WHOLE NEW TOWN outside TOLEDO that he laid
siege to
ABDUL RAHMAN III 912 - 961 CE
BUILT A WHOLE NEW TOWN OUTSIDE TO
LAY SIEGE TO TOLEDO

● 2 YEAR SIEGE OF TOLEDO

● He built a whole new town called AL-FATH just outside
TOLEDO as a way of laying siege to it.
● The purpose of which was to block all approaches to and from
TOLEDO
● Because of this unique way of laying a siege, the siege itself lasted
for two years.
● Ultimately, the people of TOLEDO surrendered un-conditionally
to the idea of a centralised Emirate.
 ABDUL RAHMAN III UPGRADES
HIS STATUS FROM AMIR TO
“CALIPH”
● In 929 CE ABDUL RAHMAN III, declared himself as
the CALIPH OF THE MUSLIM WORLD based in
Spain.
● THREE CALIPHS IN THE MUSLIM WORLD
There were thus in the Muslim World THREE
CALIPHS at the same time. The Abbasids in
Baghdad,
The Fatimids in North Africa and
The Ummayads in Spain
 ABDUL RAHMAN III UPGRADES
HIS STATUS FROM AMIR TO
“CALIPH” (2)
BACKGROUND TO THE SITUATION OF THREE
CALIPHS
Within 17 years of accession to the Emirateship of
Spain, Abdul Rahman III had consolidated all the
various Principalities and Provinces into a
Centralized Empire
Whilst The Islamic Empire in Spain and the position
of ABDUL RAHMAN was growing in strength and both
had become renowned all over the world, the
position and strength of the ABBASIDS in Baghdad
was growing weaker by the Day
 ABDUL RAHMAN III UPGRADES
HIS STATUS FROM AMIR TO
“CALIPH” (3)
Sensing the decline in the power of the Caliphate
based in Baghdad, The Fatimids of North Africa
thought that they could rescue the situation by
declaring themselves as the CALIPHS of the Islamic
Empire at large

By this time the Fame and Fortune of the UMMAYADS

under ABDULRAHMAN III had acquired word fame,
perhaps he had thought that the Cause of the Islamic
Empire would be be better served by a world class
leader with world class achievements in the fields of
Arts, Culture, Science and other World Renowned
Achievements. Accordingly, ABDUL RAHMAN III
declared himself the CALIPH
 ACHIEVEMENTS OF
ABDUL RAHMAN III

ABDUL RAHMAN III died in 961 CE after ruling Spain

for nearly 50 years
Although all the UMMAYAD Rulers OF Spain bearing
the name of “Abdul Rahman” proved to be great
Rulers, but ABDUL RAHMAN III‘s Rule is recognized
as the Golden Era of the Ummayad rule.
Agricultural Developments and Economic Prosperity
advanced tremendously and the TEXTILE Trade
Flourished. There were 30,000 weavers in Cordoba
alone and it was also known for it’s leather industry
as well. CALATYUD became known as a center of
Pottery whilst TOLEDO became famous for it’s arms
ISLAMIC HISTORY
OF EUROPE
 EARLY
VICTORIES IN FRANCE
PROVINCE OF SEPTAMANIA
In 721 CE the Muslim Forces Liberated the Province of Septamania
and it’s Capital Narbonne was designated as the Capital of Islamic
Southern France
TOULOSE APPROACHED
In 721 CE the Muslim Forces approached TOULOUSE
but were heavily outnumbered.
CARACASSONE , NIMES, RHONE & SAONNE
By 725 CE Muslims had liberated towns like
Caracassone, Nimes, Rhone and Saonne
 EARLY
VICTORIES IN FRANCE (2)

LYONS , MACON , CHALONS-ON-THE-RHONE,

BEAUNE & ATUN
By 730 CE under the Governorship of HAISHAM the
Muslims had penetrated deep into FRANCE reaching
towns like LYONS, MACON, CHALONS-ON-THE
RHONE, BEAUNE & ATUN
BORDEAUX, BURGUNDY, BESANCON, SENS & ARLES
Under the Governorship of ABDUR RAHMAN AL-GHAFEQI
the Muslims had advanced further and liberated the Cities
of Arles, Besancon, Burgundy, Bordeaux and Sens
 EARLY
VICTORIES IN FRANCE (3)

BATTLE FOR POITIERS

In 732 Muslims advanced on TOURS and Liberated it
then they moved towards POITIERS and a fierce
battle took place for Poitiers
ARAGON, NAVARRE , ST. REMI
By 734 under the Governorship of Abdul Malik b.
Khattan, and Operating out of their French base in
NARBONNE, the Muslims Liberated ARAGON,
NAVARRE & ST. REMI
 EARLY
VICTORIES IN FRANCE (4)

ST. PAULS , TROIS , CHATEAUX , DONIZERE ,

VALENCE AND NEW LYONS

By 736 CE under the Governorship of OQBA the

Muslims Liberated ST. PAUL, TROIS, CHATEAUX,
DONIZERE, VALENCE AND NEW LYONS
SCORCHED EARTH POLICY OF THE FRENCH
As and when Muslims took over a city in France, they
worked hard and implemented policies which turned
those towns’ Fortunes and made them prosperous
 EARLY
VICTORIES IN FRANCE (5)

SCORCHED EARTH POLICY OF THE FRENCH

However, as and when the French re-possessed

some of those towns they systematically destroyed
them and slaughtered their Muslim inhabitants, so
deep was their hatred for the Muslims that all the
prosperity and development brought about by the
Muslims in those lands was destroyed and burnt to
the ground.
The Scorched Earth Policy of the French was some
what like them Cutting their Nose Just to Spite their
Face
 LATER VICTORIES IN
FRANCE & Forays Into
SWITZERLAND & ITALY
ST. TROPEZ COLONY

In 890 a group of Muslims landed at St. Tropez on the

coast of Provence and established a colony there.
From here they advanced and liberated places like
MARSEILLES in one direction, and then going over
the Alpine passes and liberated Dauphine, Savoy,
Some areas of Switzerland and Piedmont in the other
direction. They also liberated Novalsea, Acqui and
even Genoa in ITALY. The Muslims also liberated the
Alpine Town of St. Bernard and the Coastal region
FRAXINETUM
ISLAMIC HISTORY
OF EUROPE
 NAPLES SEEKS HELP OF
MUSLIMS AGAINST VENICE

After the Muslims had developed the Island of Sicily

into a stronghold of theirs, they felt confident about
looking towards the Italian Main Land because what
was then left between them and the Italian Main
Land was the Gulf of Messina
With the Muslim Presence so close to the Italian
Main Land, an interesting historical development
took place. This was the rivalry between Naples and
Venice, as a result of which the Napolitans felt
threatened and they sought the help of the close by
Muslim Forces and invited them to Naples for
assistance in their Campaign against Venice
 BASES FROM WHICH THE
ITALIAN CAMPAIGNS WERE
LAUNCHED
Most of the ITALIAN Campaigns were launched from
the Muslim Stronghold of Sicily, however, some
ITALAIAN Campaigns were also launched from bases
in North Africa, Crete and Syria.
ROME WAS ALSO TARGETED
From some of the maneuvers made by the Muslims it
can be concluded that at one time around 846 CE the
Muslims had targeted ROME itself the Citadel of
Christianity
 REGIA, CALABRIA,
BASILICALA,CAMPANIA &
PUGLIA
MUSLIMS went through the Town of CALABRIA a
number of times as they advanced from REGIA.
Ruins of a purpose built mosque have been unearthed
in REGIA evidence of long term intentions of
Muslims, it could also be that this mosque was built
by the native Italians who had embraced ISLAM
MUSLIM PRINCIPALITIES
IN ITALY
BACKGROUND
According to the Italian Professor Franceso Gabrielli
(Author of the Book Mohammad and the Conquests of
Islam) during the 9th and 10th Centuries there were
at least THREE Muslim Principalities in Italy
BARI (Principality of)
The Muslim Principality of BARI was on the South
Eastern Coast of ITALY facing the Adriatic. It was
founded in 847 CE by a Berber chief Kalfun. After
Kalfun, other leaders of this dynasty were Mufarraj
and Sawdan. Remains of some purpose built
mosques have been unearthed in BARI
MUSLIM PRINCIPALITIES
IN ITALY (2)

TARANTO (Principality of)

In 850 CE, three years after the formation of the first
Muslim Principality in ITALY at BARI, a second
Muslim Principality was founded at TARANTO on the
South Western Coast of ITALY
GARIGLEANO (Principality of)
Anthropologists, have found evidence of a Third
Muslim Principality in ITALY in the town of
GARIGLEANO founded towards the end of the 9th
Century which was re-taken by the ITALIANS in 915
 MUSLIM FEATURES IN
ITALY
SARACEN TOWERS
Philip K. Hitti in his book History of the Arabs refers
to the numerous tower structures built by the
SARACENS from which the Approach of Arab Fleets
from Sicily or North Africa were announced. These,
still draw crowds of tourists visiting the scenic
beauty of the peerless coastline of South Naples.
FORAYS INTO SWITZERLAND
Philip K. Hitti further observes in his book History of
the Arabs, that a number of Castles in the Alpines of
Switzerland owe their origin to the Muslims.