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Moslem Disunity and the Caliphate created a
New Emirate
Moslem Disunity and the Caliphate in the
al-Andalus province of the Islamic (Abbasidian) Caliphate The first forty years of the Moslem conquest of the Iberian Peninsula were fraught with internal rebellions.OverviewThe Independent Emirate of al-Andalus
The Symbol of the Andalucian Flag
Abd ar-Rahman's Side Had no Banner and the Islamic significance of the colour green...
Abd ar-Rahman's Rule was Tenuous
Emirs and Caliphs of the Umayyad Dynasty
The First 300 Years under Moorish Spain's Rule
Thus Prodigious Developments Evolved
Further al-Andalus related pages
The twenty Emirs or Viceroys, appointed by the Baghdad Abbasidian Caliph, were excessively brutal during their rulings. Local Moslem leaders refused to accept 'no matter whom,' as their superior and a growing alienation evolved. Intrigue, pillage and blood baths ravaged throughout the Abbasidian al-Andalus Caliphate. Eighty high-ranking Arabs determined that in order to survive, they must break away and declare 'Independence' from the Abbasidian Caliph and choose their 'own' leader.
Abd ar-Rahman I the sole survivor of the Ummayad dynasty was invited to become their emir.
Originated from when Abd ar-Rahman I faced Al-Fihri the ruling Vizier (the enemy Abassidian commander) and al-Sumayl the commander's son-in-law for the fight of who was to rule the al-Andalus province. Abd ar-Rahman I approached Historic Cordoba (March 756 AD) accompanied by local chieftains and Syrians, (loyal since his arrival in Almuñecar, Málaga, Sept 755 AD). 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 Moorish 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. Improvising, he unwound and wrapped his green turban, around a spear. These became a symbol of the al-Andalus Cordova Caliphate's flag. The use of the green turban was the first flag-symbol to be used in connection with the Iberian Peninsula. ...Since the time of Prophet Muhammad - ONLY reigning Caliph's were allowed to wear green turbans - it was the preferred colour of Muhammad. The Holy Banner which Muhammad held when he conquered Mecca was green with gold embroidery. Green came to represent the ancient Dynasties and Empires. The Arab league use Green in their national flags to represent Islamic Unity. Green also represents Paradise... The Flag of Andalucia is Bi-Chromatic: Green and White The green originated from Emir Abd ar-Rahman 1's improvised Umayyan banner signifying: hope and unity, the white stems from the Almohad dynasty: signifying pardon. Significance of the Two Colours of Andalucian Flag- Green represents hope and union
- white signifies peace and dialogue
The al-Andalus became a Safe Haeven under Emir Abd ar-Rahman 1al-Andalusia was populated by people with many different allegiances. However, after Abd ar-Rahman’s proclamation as Emir, it became a safe haeven for friends and families of the Umayyads. Abd ar Rahman 1's flight from Damascus had been grim, lengthy and perilous. Most of his family were mercilessly murdered by the Abbasidians. His flight began in 749. He was sixteen at that time. Spies prowled their escape route: they followed the course of the Euphrates river, through 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. Image of Emir Abd ar-Rahman 1
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 the Iberian Peninsula in his power. His determination and strength founded the Umayyan 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!" He infused his troops with a death-defying morale and derived renewed loyalty. A bloody battle ensued; the Abbasid army was defeated (763 AD). 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." Top 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 AD. Seven years later, he vanquished an Abbasid army seeking to overthrow him. The Islamic rupture signified al-Andalus Moors would not receive anymilitary support from Baghdad. Equally, the Independent Emirate, from then on, was isolated for aid from the entire Islamic world. It often suffered attacks from within 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 (the prophet muhammad’s rightful successor) rivalling the sway of the Baghdad Caliph and the Shiite Caliphs in North Africa, authenticating to the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, his supremacy. His new influence boosted the morale of his subjects. The Fatimids were successfully repulsed. Top Umayyad Emirs of Cordova - Abd ar-Rahman I, (756 to 788 AD)
- Hisham I, (788 to 796 AD)
- al-Hakam I, (796 to 822 AD)
- Abd ar-Rahman II, (822 to 852 AD)
- Muhammad I, (852 to 886 AD)
- al-Mundhir, (886 to 888 AD)
- Abdallah ibn Muhammad, (888 to 912 AD)
- Abd-ar-Rahman III, (912 to 929 AD)
Umayyad Caliphs of Cordova - Abd ar-Rahman III, (929 to 961 AD)
- Al-Hakam 11, (961 to 976 AD)
- Hisham II, (976 to 1008 AD)
- Muhammed II, (1008 to 1009 AD)
- Slieiman II, (1009 to 1010 AD)
- Hisham II, restored, (1010 to 1012 AD)
- Slieiman II, restored, (1012 to 1016 AD)
- Abd ar-Rahman IV, (1017 AD)
Top
Exterior of The Great Mosque of Cordoba, Andalucia Spain.
Al-Hakam's doorway following the style of St Stephen.
The Caliphate of Cordova, was marked, as becoming a major intellectual society. Cordoba was the largest city in all of Europe. Art and ArchitectureSyrian-expertise of islamic art and architecture was introduced to the al-Andalus when the Mezquita monument was built. Hispano Moorish Art and Architecture evolved from the al-Andalus period and were at their height when the Caliphal city Madinat-az-Zahra was built.Cordova surpassed Baghdad and Byzantium in material splendour, Caliphal Architecture, advanced Moorish Agriculture Techniques, irrigation advances, trading superiority, manufacture of paper, art patronage, coin mintage, wealth of libraries and diverse universities and its chivalry-based society. Cordoba 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 especially in: Moorish Medicine, Moorish Medicine Education and Moorish Medicine Health Care.
Astrolabe in Torre de la Calahorra Museum in Cordoba
Astrology, astronomy, optics, pharmacology, psychology, physiology, surgery, Animal-husbandry, Zoology, anatomy, 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 starkly to the 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.
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