How Moslem Disunity created a New Caliphate
The Independent Emirate of al-AndalusAbd-ar-Rahman I the sole survivor of the Ummayad dynasty was invited to become their emir. Emir Abd-ar-Rahman IThe symbol of the Andalucian flag originates from when Abd-ar-Rahman I faced Al-Fihri (the enemy Abassidian commander) and al-Sumayl and the ruling Vizier Al-Fihri (also the commander's son-in-law) for the fight of who was to rule the al-Andalus province. Abd-ar-Rahman I approached Cordova (March 756) accompanied by local chieftains and Syrians, (loyal since his arrival in Almuñecar Málaga Sept 755). On the plains of Musarah outside Cordova the two armies prepared for battle. Hints of Yemeni dissension rippled throughout Abd-ar-Rahman's ranks had to be stamped out. The Umayyad prince was riding an excellent Spanish steed; the soldiers had mules. They were fighting ill-equipped and hungry, there was much at stake and they HAD to win. Fearing an internal rebellion Abd-ar-Rahman I unexpectedly swapped his horse for (Relámpago/ Lightening) a mule belonging to their Yemeni leader. Abd-ar-Rahman's side had no banner... Improvising, a green turban was unwound and wrapped round a spear. These became a symbol of the al-Andalus Cordova Caliphate's flag. The green remains: identifying green with hope and the white with peace. (This was the first flag-symbol to be used in connection with the Iberian Peninsular.) al-Andalus was populated by people with many different allegiances. However, after Abd-ar-Rahman’s proclamation as emir, it became a safe haven for friends and families of the Umayyads. Abd-ar-Rahman I’s flight from Damascus had been grim, lengthy and perilous. Most of his family had been mercilessly murdered by the Abassidians. His flight began in 749. Spies were sent along their escape route: Palestine, Sinai and Egypt. His brother was killed before his eyes. Abd-ar-Rahman's red hair, a distinctive mole on his forehead and a one sighted-eye were sought traits, easily differentiating him. At the end of his desperate flight, he was welcomed to the al-Andalus province. He refused all manner of distractions, totally set upon keeping Spain in his power. His determination and strength founded a dynasty that would rule al-Andalus for over three hundred centuries. The bloodbath history of his family created a brave, audacious and sagacious man. His fearless spirit caused him to proclaim: “We conquer or we die”! This emphatic death-defying morale infused his troops with renewed loyalty. A bloody battle ensued; the Abassid army was defeated (763). The Abbasid caliph, Al-Masur changed his attitude, and from that moment in history, Al-Masur and everyone else referred to Abd-ar Rahman, as the “The Hawk of the Quraysh”. Abd-ar-Rahman's rule was tenuous, Arabs and Berbers even some family members, fought for part of his power. Disloyalty was harshly remedied. He declared ‘Moorish Spain’ to be the independent emirate of al-Andalus in 756. Seven years later, he vanquished an Abbasid army seeking to overthrow him. The Islamic rupture signified Spanish Moors would not any receive military support from Baghdad. Equally, the independent emirate from then on was isolated for aid from the entire Islamic world and often suffered attacks from Arab ranks. Emirate rulers had used the title of emir or sultan (an independent Muslim ruler or sovereign) until Abd-ar-Rahman III was faced the Fatimid invasion. The Fatimids solely recognized the Abbasidian Caliph of Bahgdad. In an endeavour to gain greater sovereignty Abd-al-Rahman III, claimed the higher title of Caliph (Mohammad’s successor) rivalling the sway of the Baghdad Caliph and the Shiite Caliphs in North Africa, and authenticating to the rest of Spain his supremacy . His new influence boosted the morale of his subjects. The Fatimids were successfully repulsed. Emirs and Caliphs of the Umayyad DynastyUmayyad Emirs of Cordova
Umayyad Caliphs of Cordova
The first 300 years under Moorish rule in the Caliphate of Cordova, were marked, as becoming a major intellectual society and for being the largest city in all of Europe. Cordova surpassed Baghdad and Byzantium in material splendour, advanced agricultural techniques, irrigation advances, trading superiority, manufacture of paper, art patronage, wealth of libraries and diverse universities and its chivalry-based society. It became the most splendid city in all of Europe. Scholars throughout Europe traveled to Cordova to study the abundance of knowledge amassed in the Cordovan Caliphate. The Caliphs encouraged all manner of academic work. The translation and application of the undiscovered ancient Greek masterpieces led to a vibrant attitude in life thinking in philosophy. Islamic students and scientists added hugely to the well of knowledge with their own theories, observations and experiments. Thus prodigious developments evolved: astrology, astronomy, medicine: anatomy, optics, pharmacology, psychology, physiology, surgery,Animal-husbandry, Zoology, biology, botany, mineralogy, metallurgy, sociology, hydrostatics, philosophy, literature, poetry, music, navigation, history, architecture, geography, mechanics, meteorology, physics, mathematics, (algebra, geometry and trigonometry) the use of decimals and Hindu numerals were incorporated at this period. Deeply submerged in the Dark Ages, Medieval Europe contrasted to this enlightened and sparkling epoch of Moorish Spain. Averroes's interpretation and lucid commentaries of Aristotle was an invaluable legacy which astounded both the Jews and Medieval Christians. Averroes's work influenced the Western world for over four centuries. The metamorphosis from the Medieval Ages to the Middle Ages was sparked by 'awakened thought'. He advocated applying equal status to both religion and philosophy. A logical, scientific contemplation was necessary to solve and discover the natural history of the universe. The excelling investigation and practice of agriculture and botany caused widespread prosperity. |