Idrisid
Encyclopedia
The Idrisids were a Zaydi-Shia dynasty of Arab
origins in Morocco
, ruling from 788
to 985
, named after its first leader, Idriss I.
The founder of the dynasty was Idris ibn Abdallah (788–791), who traced his ancestry back to Ali ibn Abi Talib and his wife Fatimah
, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad
. As a descendant of the prophet he was persecuted by the Abbasids and fled to the Maghreb
in 786, where he was taken in by the Berbers
. Since the Maysara uprising
against Arab rule (739–742), the authority of the Caliphate
in North Africa had been compromised; the new kingdom of Idris I represented the third autonomous Islamic state in Morocco
.
The powerful Awraba Berbers of Volubilis
took him in and appointed him as their 'imam' (religious leader). From this tribe he married Kenza, who gave him his only son and successor, Idris II. Idris, and his offspring, would soon be recognised by the local Berber tribes as leaders of the region. The dynasty went through a strong process of berberization. Although they could point to descent from the Islamic Prophet, contemporaries did not consider them to be Arabs. For instance, their descendants, the Hammudid
rulers of Cordoba
were described as Zenata
Berbers by the Andalusian writers. Famous historian Ibn Khaldun
did not consider their rule to be an Arab reign, because according to him Berbers had all the power and their rule saw very few Arabs in the country. Consequently, Ibn Khaldun saw the Idrisids as a natural result of the Berbers' struggle against Arab supremacy, in the same line as the kingdoms of Sijilmasa
and the Berghouata
.
His son Idriss II (791–828) developed the area of Fez
, already colonised by his father, as a royal residence and capital. Through the settlement of refugees from Kairouan
and Andalusia
the city quickly became the focus for the islamization of North Africa. At about the same time, an alternate summer capital Basra
was constructed and named after the famous city in southern Iraq
.
The realm was also extended through campaigns into the high Atlas Mountains
and against Tlemcen
, with the result that the Idrisid state became the most significant power in Morocco, ahead of the principalities of the Bargawata, the Salihids, the Miknasa
and the Maghrawa
of Sijilmasa
.
Under Muhammad
(828–836) the kingdom was divided amongst eight brothers, whereby several Idrisid statelets formed in northern Morocco. This led to intensified power struggles and the weakening of the Idrisids. Even when the realm was reunified under Yahya IV
(904–917), it still lost significance through internal strife and attacks from the Fatimid
dynasty aided by their local Miknasa
allies.
After defeats by the Fatimid
s in 917–920 the Idrisids were driven from Fez and control given to the Miknasa
. Hassan I al-Hajam managed to wrest control of Fez for a couple of years but he was the last of the dynasty to hold power there.
Only with the support of the Caliphate of Cordoba
could the dynasty subsequently hold out against the Fatimid
s and their allies. After 926 the Idrisids abandoned Fez for good and withdrew to the valleys of the Rif
mountains, where they had a stronghold in the fortress of Hajar an-Nasar
.
The last Idrisid made the mistake of switching allegiances back to the Fatimid
s, and was deposed and executed in 985
by Cordoban Umayads
.
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
origins in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
, ruling from 788
788
Year 788 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 788 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Charlemagne conquers Bavaria.* Bermudo I...
to 985
985
Year 985 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Barcelona is sacked by Al-Mansur....
, named after its first leader, Idriss I.
History
Fatimah
Fatimah was a daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad from his first wife Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. She is regarded by Muslims as an exemplar for men and women. She remained at her father's side through the difficulties suffered by him at the hands of the Quraysh of Mecca...
, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
. As a descendant of the prophet he was persecuted by the Abbasids and fled to the Maghreb
Maghreb
The Maghreb is the region of Northwest Africa, west of Egypt. It includes five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara...
in 786, where he was taken in by the Berbers
Berber people
Berbers are the indigenous peoples of North Africa west of the Nile Valley. They are continuously distributed from the Atlantic to the Siwa oasis, in Egypt, and from the Mediterranean to the Niger River. Historically they spoke the Berber language or varieties of it, which together form a branch...
. Since the Maysara uprising
Berber Revolt
The Great Berber Revolt of 739/740-743 AD took place during the reign of the Umayyad Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik and marked the first successful secession from the Arab caliphate...
against Arab rule (739–742), the authority of the Caliphate
Caliphate
The term caliphate, "dominion of a caliph " , refers to the first system of government established in Islam and represented the political unity of the Muslim Ummah...
in North Africa had been compromised; the new kingdom of Idris I represented the third autonomous Islamic state in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
.
The powerful Awraba Berbers of Volubilis
Volubilis
Volubilis is an archaeological site in Morocco situated near Meknes between Fez and Rabat along the N13 road. The nearest town is Moulay Idriss. Volubilis features the best preserved Roman ruins in this part of northern Africa...
took him in and appointed him as their 'imam' (religious leader). From this tribe he married Kenza, who gave him his only son and successor, Idris II. Idris, and his offspring, would soon be recognised by the local Berber tribes as leaders of the region. The dynasty went through a strong process of berberization. Although they could point to descent from the Islamic Prophet, contemporaries did not consider them to be Arabs. For instance, their descendants, the Hammudid
Hammudid dynasty
The Hammudid dynasty was a Zaydi Shia Muslim berberised dynasty of Arab origins, in the Caliphate of Córdoba region of Al-Andalus, in present day southern Spain...
rulers of Cordoba
Caliphate of Córdoba
The Caliphate of Córdoba ruled the Iberian peninsula and part of North Africa, from the city of Córdoba, from 929 to 1031. This period was characterized by remarkable success in trade and culture; many of the masterpieces of Islamic Iberia were constructed in this period, including the famous...
were described as Zenata
Zenata
Zenata were an ethnic group of North Africa, who were technically an Eastern Berber group and who are found in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco....
Berbers by the Andalusian writers. Famous historian Ibn Khaldun
Ibn Khaldun
Ibn Khaldūn or Ibn Khaldoun was an Arab Tunisian historiographer and historian who is often viewed as one of the forerunners of modern historiography, sociology and economics...
did not consider their rule to be an Arab reign, because according to him Berbers had all the power and their rule saw very few Arabs in the country. Consequently, Ibn Khaldun saw the Idrisids as a natural result of the Berbers' struggle against Arab supremacy, in the same line as the kingdoms of Sijilmasa
Sijilmasa
Sijilmasa was a medieval trade entrepôt at the northern edge of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. The ruins of the town lie along the River Ziz in the Tafilalt oasis near the town of Rissani...
and the Berghouata
Berghouata
The Barghawata were a medieval Berber tribe confederation of the Atlantic coast of Morocco, belonging to the Masmuda group of tribes...
.
His son Idriss II (791–828) developed the area of Fez
Fes
Fes or Fez is the second largest city of Morocco, after Casablanca, with a population of approximately 1 million . It is the capital of the Fès-Boulemane region....
, already colonised by his father, as a royal residence and capital. Through the settlement of refugees from Kairouan
Kairouan
Kairouan , also known as Kirwan or al-Qayrawan , is the capital of the Kairouan Governorate in Tunisia. Referred to as the Islamic Cultural Capital, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city was founded by the Arabs around 670...
and Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
the city quickly became the focus for the islamization of North Africa. At about the same time, an alternate summer capital Basra
Basra, Morocco
Basra, Morocco, nicknamed Basra al-Hamra , is an archaeological site in Morocco. It was originally a summer capital of the Idrisid dynasty from the 8th to 10th centuries....
was constructed and named after the famous city in southern Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
The realm was also extended through campaigns into the high Atlas Mountains
Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains is a mountain range across a northern stretch of Africa extending about through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The highest peak is Toubkal, with an elevation of in southwestern Morocco. The Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert...
and against Tlemcen
Tlemcen
Tlemcen is a town in Northwestern Algeria, and the capital of the province of the same name. It is located inland in the center of a region known for its olive plantations and vineyards...
, with the result that the Idrisid state became the most significant power in Morocco, ahead of the principalities of the Bargawata, the Salihids, the Miknasa
Miknasa
The Miknasa were a Berber tribe in Morocco and western Algeria.The Miknasa Berbers originated in southern Tunisia, but migrated westwards into central Morocco and western Algeria in pre-Islamic times. The modern Moroccan city of Meknes bears witness to their presence.After defeat by the Muslims...
and the Maghrawa
Maghrawa
The Maghrawa or Meghrawa were a Berber tribe in Morocco and central and western Algeria.-History:The Meghrawa, a tribe of Zanata Berbers, were one of the first Berber tribes to submit to Islam in the 7th century. They supported Uqba ibn Nafi in his campaign to the Atlantic in 683...
of Sijilmasa
Sijilmasa
Sijilmasa was a medieval trade entrepôt at the northern edge of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. The ruins of the town lie along the River Ziz in the Tafilalt oasis near the town of Rissani...
.
Under Muhammad
Muhammad ibn Idris
Muhammad ibn Idris was one of the sons and successor of Idris II of Morocco. He took power in 828 and died in 836.-References:...
(828–836) the kingdom was divided amongst eight brothers, whereby several Idrisid statelets formed in northern Morocco. This led to intensified power struggles and the weakening of the Idrisids. Even when the realm was reunified under Yahya IV
Yahya ibn Idris ibn Umar
Yahya ibn Idris ibn Umar was the ninth Idrisid ruler and sultan of Morocco. He took over after Yahya III in 904. He died in 917.-References:...
(904–917), it still lost significance through internal strife and attacks from the Fatimid
Fatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
dynasty aided by their local Miknasa
Miknasa
The Miknasa were a Berber tribe in Morocco and western Algeria.The Miknasa Berbers originated in southern Tunisia, but migrated westwards into central Morocco and western Algeria in pre-Islamic times. The modern Moroccan city of Meknes bears witness to their presence.After defeat by the Muslims...
allies.
After defeats by the Fatimid
Fatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
s in 917–920 the Idrisids were driven from Fez and control given to the Miknasa
Miknasa
The Miknasa were a Berber tribe in Morocco and western Algeria.The Miknasa Berbers originated in southern Tunisia, but migrated westwards into central Morocco and western Algeria in pre-Islamic times. The modern Moroccan city of Meknes bears witness to their presence.After defeat by the Muslims...
. Hassan I al-Hajam managed to wrest control of Fez for a couple of years but he was the last of the dynasty to hold power there.
Only with the support of the Caliphate of Cordoba
Caliphate of Córdoba
The Caliphate of Córdoba ruled the Iberian peninsula and part of North Africa, from the city of Córdoba, from 929 to 1031. This period was characterized by remarkable success in trade and culture; many of the masterpieces of Islamic Iberia were constructed in this period, including the famous...
could the dynasty subsequently hold out against the Fatimid
Fatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
s and their allies. After 926 the Idrisids abandoned Fez for good and withdrew to the valleys of the Rif
Rif
The Rif or Riff is a mainly mountainous region of northern Morocco, with some fertile plains, stretching from Cape Spartel and Tangier in the west to Ras Kebdana and the Melwiyya River in the east, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the river of Wergha in the south.It is part of the...
mountains, where they had a stronghold in the fortress of Hajar an-Nasar
Hajar an-Nasar
Hajar an-Nasar , a fortress and sometime capital of northern Morocco under the 10th-century Idrisid dynasty, now an archeological site...
.
The last Idrisid made the mistake of switching allegiances back to the Fatimid
Fatimid
The Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
s, and was deposed and executed in 985
985
Year 985 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Barcelona is sacked by Al-Mansur....
by Cordoban Umayads
Caliphate of Córdoba
The Caliphate of Córdoba ruled the Iberian peninsula and part of North Africa, from the city of Córdoba, from 929 to 1031. This period was characterized by remarkable success in trade and culture; many of the masterpieces of Islamic Iberia were constructed in this period, including the famous...
.
Rulers
- Idris IIdris IIdris I was the first ruler and founder of the Idrisid Dynasty, ruling from 788 to 791 AD. He is credited with founding the dynasty that was instrumental in the early Islamization of Morocco.-History:...
- (788-791) - Idris IIIdris IIIdris II was son of Idris I, the founder of the Idrisid dynasty in North Africa. He was born in Volubilis two months after the death of his father.-History:...
- (791-828) - Muhammad ibn IdrisMuhammad ibn IdrisMuhammad ibn Idris was one of the sons and successor of Idris II of Morocco. He took power in 828 and died in 836.-References:...
- (828-836) - Ali ibn IdrisAli ibn IdrisAli ibn Idris was the fourth Idrisid sultan of Morocco. He was the son of Muhammad ibn Idris whom he succeeded in 836. He died in 848 CE and was succeeded by his brother Yahya I.-References:...
, known as "Ali I" - (836-848) - Yahya ibn MuhammadYahya ibn MuhammadYahya ibn Muhammad was the fifth Idrisid ruler and sultan of Morocco. A son of previous sultan Muhammad ibn Idris, he took over the rule in Morocco after the death of his heirless uncle Ali I in 848...
, known as "Yahya I" - (848-864) - Yahya ibn YahyaYahya ibn YahyaYahya ibn Yahya was the sixth Idrisid ruler and sultan of Morocco. He took over after the death of his father Yahya I in 864. He died in 874.-References:...
, known as "Yahya II" - (864-874) - Ali ibn UmarAli ibn UmarAli ibn Umar was the seventh Idrisid ruler and sultan of Morocco. He took over after the death of Yahya II in 874 CE. During his rule, Idrisid lost their capital, Fes. He died in 883 CE.-References:...
, known as "Ali II" - (874-883) - Yahya ibn Al-QassimYahya ibn Al-QassimYahya ibn Al-Qassim was the eighth Idrisid ruler and sultan of Morocco. He took over after the death of Ali II in 880. He died in 904.-References:...
, known as "Yahya III" - (883-904) - Yahya ibn Idris ibn UmarYahya ibn Idris ibn UmarYahya ibn Idris ibn Umar was the ninth Idrisid ruler and sultan of Morocco. He took over after Yahya III in 904. He died in 917.-References:...
, known as "Yahya IV" - (904-917) - FatimidFatimidThe Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
overlordship - (922-925) - Al-Hajjam al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn al-QassimAl-Hajjam al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn al-QassimAl-Hajjam al-Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn al-Qassim was the tenth Idrisid ruler and sultan of Morocco. He took over after a short Fatimid overlordship by Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi Billah in 925 and was overthrown in 927...
- (925-927) - FatimidFatimidThe Fatimid Islamic Caliphate or al-Fāṭimiyyūn was a Berber Shia Muslim caliphate first centered in Tunisia and later in Egypt that ruled over varying areas of the Maghreb, Sudan, Sicily, the Levant, and Hijaz from 5 January 909 to 1171.The caliphate was ruled by the Fatimids, who established the...
overlordship - (927-937) - Al Qasim GannumAl Qasim GannumAl Qasim Guennoun was the eleventh Idrisid ruler and sultan of Morocco. He took over after the Fatimid overlordship by Ubayd Allah al-Mahdi Billah in 937 until his death in 948. -References:...
- (937-948) - Abu l-Aish AhmadAbu l-Aish AhmadAbul-Aish Ahmad or Aboulaïch Ahmed Ben Gannun was the twelfth Idrisid ruler and sultan of Morocco. He took over after Al Qasim Gannum in 948 until his death in 954. -References:...
- (948-954) - Al-Hasan ibn KannunAl-Hasan ibn KannunAl-Hasan ibn Guennoun was the thirteenth and the last Idrisid ruler and sultan of Morocco. He took over after Abu l-Aish Ahmad in 954 until his capture by the Umayyads in 974. He was then exiled to Córdoba, Spain where he died in 985.-References:...
, known as "Hassan II" - (954-974) (not to be confused with Hassan II, born in 1929) - Ali ibn Hammoud ibn Ahmed ibn Abdullah ibn omar ibn Idriss IIAli ibn Hammud al-NasirAli ibn Hammud al-Nasir was the sixth Caliph of Córdoba from 1016 until his death. Of Berber origin, he was a member of the Hammudid dynasty of the Al-Andalus .-Biography:...
, Caliph of Cordoba in 1016
Branches of the Idrisid dynasty
- Hammudid dynastyHammudid dynastyThe Hammudid dynasty was a Zaydi Shia Muslim berberised dynasty of Arab origins, in the Caliphate of Córdoba region of Al-Andalus, in present day southern Spain...
in al-AndalusAl-AndalusAl-Andalus was the Arabic name given to a nation and territorial region also commonly referred to as Moorish Iberia. The name describes parts of the Iberian Peninsula and Septimania governed by Muslims , at various times in the period between 711 and 1492, although the territorial boundaries...
- (1016-1058) - Idrisid emirs of Asir - (1906-1934)
- Senussi dynastySenussiThe Senussi or Sanussi refers to a Muslim political-religious order in Libya and the Sudan region founded in Mecca in 1837 by the Grand Senussi, Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi. Senussi was concerned with both the decline of Islamic thought and spirituality and the weakening of Muslim political...
of LibyaLibyaLibya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
- (1918-1969)
See also
- Hammudid dynastyHammudid dynastyThe Hammudid dynasty was a Zaydi Shia Muslim berberised dynasty of Arab origins, in the Caliphate of Córdoba region of Al-Andalus, in present day southern Spain...
- Kingdom of LibyaKingdom of LibyaThe Kingdom of Libya, originally called the United Libyan Kingdom came into existence upon independence on 24 December 1951 and lasted until a coup d'état led by Muammar Gaddafi on 1 September 1969 overthrew King Idris of Libya and established the Libyan Arab Republic.- Constitution :Under the...
- SenussiSenussiThe Senussi or Sanussi refers to a Muslim political-religious order in Libya and the Sudan region founded in Mecca in 1837 by the Grand Senussi, Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi. Senussi was concerned with both the decline of Islamic thought and spirituality and the weakening of Muslim political...
- Senussi
- Muhammad al-IdrisiMuhammad al-IdrisiAbu Abd Allah Muhammad al-Idrisi al-Qurtubi al-Hasani al-Sabti or simply Al Idrisi was a Moroccan Muslim geographer, cartographer, Egyptologist and traveller who lived in Sicily, at the court of King Roger II. Muhammed al-Idrisi was born in Ceuta then belonging to the Almoravid Empire and died in...
, descendant of the Idrisid dynasty - History of AlgeriaHistory of AlgeriaThe history of Algeria takes place in the fertile coastal plain of North Africa, which is often called the Maghreb . North Africa served as a transit region for people moving towards Europe or the Middle East, thus, the region's inhabitants have been influenced by populations from other areas...
- History of MoroccoHistory of MoroccoThe History of Morocco spans over 12 centuries, without considering the Classical antiquity. The country was first unified by the Idrisid dynasty in 780, representing the first Islamic state in Africa autonomous from the Arab Empire. Under the Almoravid dynasty and the Almohad dynasty, Morocco...
- List of Shi'a Muslim dynasties