life
06-09-2011, 02:01 AM
Taariq Ibn Ziyaad: the conqueror of Andalusia
Taariq Ibn Ziyaad is one of the most prominent commanders who recorded his name in the glorious Islamic history which includes names like Khaalid Ibn Al-Waleed, S`ad Ibn Abi Waqaas, `Amr Ibn Al-`Aas, Salaahuddeen and Muhammad Al-Faatih.
Through Taariq Ibn Ziyaad, a Muslim state was established in Andalusia, known nowadays as Spain and Portugal. This state lasted for eight centuries. This great hero was not originally an Arab, rather he was one of the Berbers who lived in Morocco. Many of these Berbers embraced Islam, including `Abdullaah, the grandfather of Taariq. `Abdullaah is the first Arab Muslim name in his family but the rest of his grandfathers were Berbers who were distinctly tall and blond.
The beginning
Taariq Ibn Ziyaad started out his life just like other Muslim children. He learnt how to read and write and memorized some Qur'anic chapters and Prophetic narrations. His love of military life made him join the army commanded by Moosaa Ibn Nusayr, the Commander in charge of Morocco. Taariq participated in the Islamic conquests and he displayed superior courage and excellent commanding skills that attracted the attention of Moosaa Ibn Nusayr. Moosaa Ibn Nusayr admired his skills and abilities and appointed him as the ruler of Tangier, a Moroccan city on the Mediterranean.
An opportunity to conquer Andalusia
Andalusia was ruled by an unjust king, Ludrique, who was hated by his own people who were thinking of deposing him and revolting against him. They sought the help of the Muslims who were ruling the North African region, especially after they heard how fair the Muslims are. Count Julian, ruler of Ceuta near Tangier, intermediated in order to convince the Muslims to help the Andalusians. Julian contacted Taariq Ibn Ziyaad and offered him his assistance in order to get rid of Ludrique. Taariq welcomed this offer and found it a good opportunity to resume Jihaad and conquests and to spread Islam and allow people to know about its noble teachings. Taariq sent to Moosaa Ibn Nusayr, in Morocco, in order to take permission to conquer Andalusia. Moosaa asked Taariq to wait until he sends to the Caliph of the Muslims, Al-Waleed Ibn `Abdul-Malik in order to take his permission to conquer Andalusia and explain the situation to him. The Caliph gave him permission but instructed Moosaa Ibn Nusayr to send a reconnaissance campaign first in order to discover what is going on in Andalusia before sailing towards them.
Tareef's reconnaissance expedition
In response to the command of the Caliph, Taariq started to prepare a small campaign in order to cross the Mediterranean to Andalusia. The campaign was under the command of a Berber commander called Tareef Ibn Maalik. It consisted of five hundred of the best Muslim soldiers who moved in order to check the status quo in Andalusia. The campaign marched out in Ramadhaan 91 A.H., July 710 A.C. They crossed the sea in four ships offered by Ct. Julian. They landed on the opposite bank in an area which was later named Tareef Island after the commander of the campaign. This small campaign examined the country well. They did not encounter any resistance, and they returned with generous spoils of war.
The expedition of Taariq Ibn Ziyaad
The results of Tareef's expedition encouraged Taariq to prepare for the invasion of Andalusia. After less than a year following Tareef's expedition, Taariq Ibn Ziyaad marched out with seven thousand soldiers, most of them were Muslim Berbers. He crossed the Mediterranean to Andalusia and the Muslim Army was assembled near a mountain that was known later as Jabal Taariq (the mount of Taariq or Gibraltar) on the fifth of Rajab 92 A.H., the 27th of April 711 A.C.
Taariq stayed in this area for several days. He built a castle to act as a military base near the mountain. He assigned some soldiers to guard it and protect the back lines of the army in case he was forced to withdraw.
Supported by Ct. Julian, Taariq Ibn Ziyaad marched with his army penetrating the nearby area. He headed towards the "Green Island" province and occupied its castles. At this point, Ludrique came to know about the invasion. He was busy fighting some rebels in the north. He stopped fighting them and returned to Toledo, the capital of the country, and prepared himself to encounter the Muslim army.
Taariq Ibn Ziyaad marched north towards Toledo. His forces camped in a wide valley between Tajo river in the east and Albarracin river in the west. At the same time, Ludrique completed his preparations and recruited a tremendous army of one hundred thousand warriors armed with the most powerful weapons. Ludrique marched to the south and he was quite sure that he will be victorious.
When Taariq Ibn Ziyaad was informed about this large number of soldiers, he sent a message to Moosaa Ibn Nusayr telling him about the situation and asking for support. Moosaa Ibn Nusayr sent five thousand of the best soldiers. Thus the total number of the Muslims reached twelve thousand.
Taariq Ibn Ziyaad is one of the most prominent commanders who recorded his name in the glorious Islamic history which includes names like Khaalid Ibn Al-Waleed, S`ad Ibn Abi Waqaas, `Amr Ibn Al-`Aas, Salaahuddeen and Muhammad Al-Faatih.
Through Taariq Ibn Ziyaad, a Muslim state was established in Andalusia, known nowadays as Spain and Portugal. This state lasted for eight centuries. This great hero was not originally an Arab, rather he was one of the Berbers who lived in Morocco. Many of these Berbers embraced Islam, including `Abdullaah, the grandfather of Taariq. `Abdullaah is the first Arab Muslim name in his family but the rest of his grandfathers were Berbers who were distinctly tall and blond.
The beginning
Taariq Ibn Ziyaad started out his life just like other Muslim children. He learnt how to read and write and memorized some Qur'anic chapters and Prophetic narrations. His love of military life made him join the army commanded by Moosaa Ibn Nusayr, the Commander in charge of Morocco. Taariq participated in the Islamic conquests and he displayed superior courage and excellent commanding skills that attracted the attention of Moosaa Ibn Nusayr. Moosaa Ibn Nusayr admired his skills and abilities and appointed him as the ruler of Tangier, a Moroccan city on the Mediterranean.
An opportunity to conquer Andalusia
Andalusia was ruled by an unjust king, Ludrique, who was hated by his own people who were thinking of deposing him and revolting against him. They sought the help of the Muslims who were ruling the North African region, especially after they heard how fair the Muslims are. Count Julian, ruler of Ceuta near Tangier, intermediated in order to convince the Muslims to help the Andalusians. Julian contacted Taariq Ibn Ziyaad and offered him his assistance in order to get rid of Ludrique. Taariq welcomed this offer and found it a good opportunity to resume Jihaad and conquests and to spread Islam and allow people to know about its noble teachings. Taariq sent to Moosaa Ibn Nusayr, in Morocco, in order to take permission to conquer Andalusia. Moosaa asked Taariq to wait until he sends to the Caliph of the Muslims, Al-Waleed Ibn `Abdul-Malik in order to take his permission to conquer Andalusia and explain the situation to him. The Caliph gave him permission but instructed Moosaa Ibn Nusayr to send a reconnaissance campaign first in order to discover what is going on in Andalusia before sailing towards them.
Tareef's reconnaissance expedition
In response to the command of the Caliph, Taariq started to prepare a small campaign in order to cross the Mediterranean to Andalusia. The campaign was under the command of a Berber commander called Tareef Ibn Maalik. It consisted of five hundred of the best Muslim soldiers who moved in order to check the status quo in Andalusia. The campaign marched out in Ramadhaan 91 A.H., July 710 A.C. They crossed the sea in four ships offered by Ct. Julian. They landed on the opposite bank in an area which was later named Tareef Island after the commander of the campaign. This small campaign examined the country well. They did not encounter any resistance, and they returned with generous spoils of war.
The expedition of Taariq Ibn Ziyaad
The results of Tareef's expedition encouraged Taariq to prepare for the invasion of Andalusia. After less than a year following Tareef's expedition, Taariq Ibn Ziyaad marched out with seven thousand soldiers, most of them were Muslim Berbers. He crossed the Mediterranean to Andalusia and the Muslim Army was assembled near a mountain that was known later as Jabal Taariq (the mount of Taariq or Gibraltar) on the fifth of Rajab 92 A.H., the 27th of April 711 A.C.
Taariq stayed in this area for several days. He built a castle to act as a military base near the mountain. He assigned some soldiers to guard it and protect the back lines of the army in case he was forced to withdraw.
Supported by Ct. Julian, Taariq Ibn Ziyaad marched with his army penetrating the nearby area. He headed towards the "Green Island" province and occupied its castles. At this point, Ludrique came to know about the invasion. He was busy fighting some rebels in the north. He stopped fighting them and returned to Toledo, the capital of the country, and prepared himself to encounter the Muslim army.
Taariq Ibn Ziyaad marched north towards Toledo. His forces camped in a wide valley between Tajo river in the east and Albarracin river in the west. At the same time, Ludrique completed his preparations and recruited a tremendous army of one hundred thousand warriors armed with the most powerful weapons. Ludrique marched to the south and he was quite sure that he will be victorious.
When Taariq Ibn Ziyaad was informed about this large number of soldiers, he sent a message to Moosaa Ibn Nusayr telling him about the situation and asking for support. Moosaa Ibn Nusayr sent five thousand of the best soldiers. Thus the total number of the Muslims reached twelve thousand.