Islamic History – Islam in Spain

The Arab Empire had extended to Spain and most of France, but was turned back by Charles Martel when they tried to conquer Paris. This led the Muslins in Spain to divert their entire focus on Southern Spain known as Andalusia. Their prior aim was to build a civilization that was never known to Spain ever before. The Muslims brought wisdom and justice; they provided concession of religion to Jews and Christians that resulted in numerous conversions. Trade, arts, science and agriculture were all improved by combined efforts and Cordoba was established as Europe’s most sophisticated city.

Cordoba comprised of 60,000 palaces, 70 libraries and 700 mosques for the population strength of 500,000. It was Europe’s most advanced city at the time which had the caliphal residence Madinat al Zahra. It was one of the wonders of its age, but was destroyed in the 11th century. It is currently in the process of restoration.

During the eleventh century, the Christians had started rising against the Muslim Empire. As the Christians began re-conquering Spain and France, the numerous rulers of Islamic Spain were under great threat as they lacked unity among them. For this reason they had to call on Almoravids for aid. The Berber tribe Almoravids crushed the Christian uprising but seized control themselves which was later brought to an end by Almohads in 1147.

The Christians began forming strong alliances and building up huge and powerful armies to launch campaigns against Arab rule. But Arabs did not simply surrender and kept hold of Andalusia as long as they could. Eventually the Christians forced the Arabs to retreat from northern Spain and than from central Spain as well. The Arab Empire was reduced to a few kingdoms established in the mountains of Andalusia where they flourished for about two hundred years. This resulted in the creation of the lovely kingdom of Granada.

A citadel above Granada was begun as a memorial of the Islamic Empire in Spain after the Muslims had to retreat. It was named Alhambra and was begun by Mohammad ibn al-Ahmar in 1238. He offered his assistance to Ferdinand, the Christian ruler to assure that Ferdinand in return would not lay siege on Granada. Ibn al-Ahmar was ordered by the Christian ruler to contribute towards the Christian forces for regaining control over Seville. He did so accordingly in favor Granada and was welcomed back by cheering crowds. Ibn al-Ahmar wrote multiple times on the walls of Alhambra “There is no victor but God”.

Within a time span of few years, Ibn al-Ahmar’s successors turned the fortress into a series of delicate and remarkable buildings, hidden gardens, courtyards and limpid pools. Meanwhile the Christians had taken back all of their conquered land and eventually in 1942 Ferdinand and Isabella together raised the Christian flag above Alhambra.

The Muslims spread towards North Africa and carried the Spanish touch with them to contribute towards the cultural and material life of the newly adopted lands.

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