Article Analysis Essay on Muslim Spain Reconsidered: From 711 to 1502

Introduction

Al-Andalus refers to the Arabic name used for the Muslim territorial region which is often called Moorish Iberia. It was at the time of middle ages which was between the invasion of Muslims in 711 and when they were expelled in 1942. Under the leadership of Mussa ibn Nussayr and Tariq ibn Ziyad, the Muslim left on 27th April 711, and by 19th July, they emerged victorious at the Guadalete battle over Visigoth king Roderic. The Muslim was able to conquer a large part in the Iberian Peninsula except for Cantabrian and Pyrenian mountainous regions. Their victory was achieved through various pacts with the falling Visigoth settlements leaders since they could not offer more resistance so they could easily collaborate with the invading forces.

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Brief Summary of the Article

According to the author, before Yusuf's death in 1107, he controlled a significant expansion over time which had been brought by the skillful diplomacy and the astute strategy and his successor maintained his impetus for numerous years. The Almoravids took control over the Ucles town in 1108, and this made them to easily have controlled over Toledo hence meeting one of Yusuf's objectives. During this time, society had an intrusive authority in which people be it children or adults were afraid of breaking any law since there were numerous regulations which governed how each person was supposed to live. The victory of Al-Andalus over Almohads led to the emergence of various craftsmen and artisans who were not affected by political crises.

A Summary of the Article

According to Hitchcock article, the decision of al-Andalus to submit to the Almoravids was an unexpected phenomenon. Sometimes back although for a short period, Andalus aristocrats affirmed themselves in the prominent regions which contributed to the re-emergence of the court culture. Before Yusuf's death in 1107, he controlled a significant expansion over time which had been brought by the skillful diplomacy and the astute strategy. Yusuf's successor maintained his impetus for numerous years, and by the time it was 1114, the Almoravid Empire had benefited from its large extent which comprised of various regions like the al-Andalus region (Lisbon to Saragossa), Western Algeria and Morocco.

Senegal and Western Sahara were also part of the region, and this made them have power over the remunerative trade routes in the central part of Africa. The Almoravids took control over the Ucles town in 1108, and this made them to easily have controlled over Toledo hence meeting one of Yusuf's objectives. However, even though the city was forced to surrender in 1109, it never became part of al-Andalus. The disbandment of the Almoravid's soldiers made it ineffective in the 12th century since their strength only lied on the militia and this made them be replaced by Almohads after been overthrown in the northern part of Africa.

The author further states that, Ibn Abdun writings on proper behaviors stated that Seville was a very prominent port and no illegal merchandise like wine were allowed in, and no one was allowed to build anything in the port since it was the state's property, doing this had severe consequences. There were also many religious stigmas which included; prisons were also supposed to be divided between men and women and only the Muslims who has committed an offense were to be imprisoned. Christians and Jews were not to be served in any way by the Muslims, the priest received harsh words about their behaviors, and the Muslim women were prohibited from getting into the churches. All the clothes belonging to Christians and Jews were supposed to be marked for easy recognition. Ibn Abdun's writings suggest that the society had an intrusive authority in which people be it children or adults were afraid of breaking any law since there were numerous regulations which governed how each person was supposed to live. Another prominent figure during the Almoravid period was Ibn Khafaja who lived between 1058 and 1139. He was a famous poet who was well known for his use of gardens and flowers in his poems which have several exotic and rich metaphors as well as sincere and deep sentiments; this made the poems to be considered creative and full of intellectual ability. Ibn Quzman was also another poetry which stood out during the Almoravid era.

According to Hitchcock, Al-Almandus experienced several changes during the 12th century and especially the interfaith relationships. Maliki faqihs enabled Almoravid to overthrow the Taifa states, however their control over al-Andalus weakened following the death of two of their leaders; immediately after losing Saragossa to Afonso. Aragon's Alfonso I and Castile Alfonso VII were similar in that during their time in power they used to harass al- Andalus frontiers. A palace named Aljaferia was built in Saragossa, and it was considered a Muslim splendor symbol. Toledo, on the other hand, made significant contributions after 1085 when it was captured by Alfonso VI some of which contributed to the emergence of learning in Europe. It became a Christian territory, and new different values were established; however, the culture and life established during Islamic rule never changed despite the different masters in cities like Toledo and Saragossa. There were significant intermediaries when Greek knowledge was being transmitted through Arabic to renascent Europe.

The Almohads

Hitchcock argues that the Almohads dominated al -Andalus for about eighty years. Ibn Tumart was their founder and a Berber whose primary support originated from Masmuda clan located at the south of Maghrib. He was considered an infallible by imam by his followers since they thought he was sent through divine powers to complete Muhammad's work of bringing justice to his people as well as getting rid of the evil. He had charismatic and special qualities which made many think that it was Gods mission to revive Islam through Ibn Tumart. The issue in political context suggested that it was necessary for him to overthrow Almoravids whose leader he had met sometimes back but appeared not afraid of his threats. Ibn Tumart, therefore, created his system of government in a pleasant place and started ideological warfare targeting the Almoravids. He used various tactics to unite all the Muslims some of which include; reinstating the traditions, Quran, and the Islamic principles as well a prohibiting wine and dancing.

According to the author, the Almoravid's fortune waned as Almohad forces continued to succeed. Almohads invaded and dominated various regions including the al-Andalus and Peninsula. Ibn Mardanish who was also a Christian and a Muslim took over several areas like the Valencia, Murcia, and Denia. This led to the growth of the Taifa Kingdom which lasted for long until the time when he died in 1172. His prowess blocked the Almohads mission for about twenty-five years which made them hold their continued invasion in the al-Andalus. Ibn Mardanish was an aggressive person who helped him and his allies to defeat the Almohads in al-Andalus, the Caliph army overpowered him, and after his death, his heirs immediately surrendered to the Alhamods giving them a chance to control al-Andalus during the 13th century.

The author argues that Literature, culture, and philosophy thrived during the 12th century; Ibn Tufayl was the first prominent chronological figure. He was known for his incredible work of reflecting the beliefs of Sufi in his philosophical work. He introduced Ibn Rushd to Almohad Caliph who was fascinated by Ibn Tufayl's learning and requested him to write some commentaries on some of the work written by Aristotle. Ibn Rushd later became the physician to Caliph after Ibn Tuyfal retired. However, his fame was not as a result of being a physician or a legal scholar; instead, it was due to philosophy. He aimed at showing that religion and philosophy could be reconciled since they were not as different as people thought they were. He was among the people who contributed to the acquisition of Islamic culture to the western scholar which thrived in al-Andalus under Almohad.

According to the article, even though Almohads merged their presence and recaptured Calatrava and Benavente, they were not able to capture Toledo. The author states that according to some Arabic sources, the various reasons given as to what led to the defeat of Almohads on the plains of Las Navas de Tolosa sounded just like excuses. It is believed that some of the soldiers were very reluctant to fight back since they complained of having not been paid or having been paid very fewer installments. Also, the death of one of the Muslims commanders who had submitted to Christians discouraged them; it is also claimed that the Christians tricked them. Las Navas victory was considered as a catastrophe to Islamic and success to the Christians. In the 13th century, the triumph of Al-Andalus led to the emergence of various craftsmen and artisans who were not affected by political crises.

Reference

Hitchcock, R. (2014). Muslim Spain Reconsidered: From 711 to 1502. Edinburgh University Press.