Almohad Caliphate

The Almohad Caliphate or Almohad Empire was a North African empire ruled by a Berber Muslim group in the 12th and 13th centuries. At its height, it covered much of the Maghreb and the Iberian Peninsula (Al-Andalus).

The Almohad movement began with Ibn Tumart among the Berber Masmuda tribes. After his death, Abd al-Mu'min founded the Almohad caliphate and its ruling group, called the Mu'minid dynasty. Under Abd al-Mu'min (ruled 1130–1163), they took over the western Maghreb from the Almoravid dynasty in 1147, when he captured Marrakesh and named himself caliph.

In 1212, the Almohad leader Muhammad al-Nasir (ruled 1199–1214) lost a big battle at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in the Sierra Morena. This was against a group of Christian forces from Castile, Aragon and Navarre. After this, the Almohads lost many lands in the Iberian Peninsula. The cities of Córdoba and Seville fell to Christian rulers in 1236 and 1248.

The Almohads kept ruling in Africa until they lost land bit by bit. This allowed their strong enemies, the Marinids, to grow in power. The last leader, Idris al-Wathiq, was left with only Marrakesh. He was killed by a slave in 1269, and the Marinids took over Marrakesh, ending Almohad rule in the western Maghreb.

History

Origins

The Almohad movement began with Ibn Tumart, a man from the Masmuda tribe in the Atlas Mountains of southern Morocco. At that time, Morocco, Mauritania, western Algeria, and parts of Spain and Portugal were ruled by the Almoravids, a Berber dynasty. Ibn Tumart traveled to Spain and then Baghdad to study. In Baghdad, he learned from al-Ash'ari and al-Ghazali. He created his own ideas about believing strongly in one God and rejecting wrong practices.

After returning to the Maghreb around 1117, Ibn Tumart shared his ideas and gained followers. He spoke out against the Almoravid rulers, saying they were not behaving properly. Many people joined him, and he said he was a leader chosen by God. He and his followers gathered in the High Atlas Mountains to get ready for bigger plans.

Caliphate and expansion

Ibn Tumart died in 1130, but the movement continued with his successor, Abd al-Mu'min. Abd al-Mu'min grew the Almohad control across North Africa and into Spain. He organized the government well, making sure his family would stay in power. The Almohads had to deal with other tribes and leaders, but they kept growing stronger.

The Almohads also took over parts of Spain from the Almoravids. They moved the main city of Muslim rule in Spain from Córdoba to Seville and built important buildings there. Later leaders kept ruling but faced more problems from Christian kingdoms.

Expansion into al-Andalus

The Almohads took control of Muslim areas in Spain from the Almoravids between 1146 and 1173. They made Seville the new capital and built a large mosque there. Later leaders supported scholars and built up the kingdom, though they sometimes had trouble with their people.

Holding years

In 1212, the Almohad leader Muhammad 'al-Nasir' lost a battle against Christian kings at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. This made the Almohads weaker, and they had less strong leaders. After a young caliph died, a new leader was chosen quickly, but this caused arguments in the Almohad family.

Decline in al-Andalus

In 1225, rebels and Christian forces started attacking Almohad cities in Spain. The Almohad leaders had trouble protecting their lands, and many cities were taken by Christian rulers. By 1248, most of Spain was under Christian control, and only the area around Granada stayed under Muslim rule.

Collapse in the Maghreb

In North Africa, the Almohads faced uprisings from tribes and lost control of their lands. The Marinids, a new dynasty, took over many areas. The last Almohad leader was killed in Marrakesh in 1269, ending the Almohad Caliphate.

Government

The Council of Ten was a group of Ibn Tumart's close friends. They were important leaders in the early days of the Almohad movement.

Military

The Almohad army was made up of Berber tribesmen. Tribal leaders were important in deciding military matters and led the army.

The army also included Arab helpers, Christian mercenaries, black soldiers, and soldiers known as "Ghuzz." These groups made the Almohad army stronger.

Abd al-Mu'min created new military groups from Berber tribes. The Arab tribes joined the army after their defeat at the Battle of Sétif. They were important, especially as cavalry.

The Arab soldiers were paid more than others. The Almohad army was a mix of many groups, showing the power of the caliph to bring together people of different backgrounds.

Culture

Language

Further information: Berber languages

Berber languages were important to the Almohad doctrine. Sermons at Friday prayer were often in both Arabic and Berber.

Romance

Further information: Andalusi Romance

When the Almohads ruled al-Andalus, many Andalusi Christians moved away. This changed how Romance was used in the area.

Arabic dialects

Further information: Andalusi Arabic and Maghrebi Arabic

The Almohads helped spread Arabic in North Africa by including Arab tribes in their army.

Literature

The Almohads wrote many books and poems. Famous writers included Averroes, Hafsa bint al-Hajj al-Rukuniyya, ibn Tufayl, ibn Zuhr, and ibn al-Abbar. Libraries and schools kept teaching knowledge from earlier times.

Theology and philosophy

The Almohads believed strongly in tawhid, meaning the "oneness of God." They also valued logic and reason, which helped support learning.

Emblem

The Almohads used white banners to show their purpose. These banners were important symbols.

Art

Calligraphy and manuscripts

The Almohads used beautiful writing in their books. They decorated manuscripts with gold and colorful designs.

Textiles

The Almohads made textiles with geometric and plant designs.

Metalwork

Almohad metalwork included large chandeliers and decorative objects. One famous chandelier is still admired today.

Ceramics and tilework

The Almohads used tiles with white and green glaze on mosque minarets.

Painted decoration

Some Almohad buildings had painted decorations with geometric and plant designs.

Architecture

Along with the Almoravid period, the Almohad time helped shape Moroccan and Moorish architecture. They built with rammed earth and brick. Their buildings often had wide aisles and decorative arches.

Almohad mosques had large halls with rows of arches and special minarets. They also built strong city walls and many forts. The Almohads created beautiful gardens and palaces with large water basins and orchards.

Status of Non-Muslims

The Almohads ruled parts of North Africa and Spain by 1147. They did not follow the normal Islamic rules for people of other religions living in their lands.

Life became harder for Jews and Christians under Almohad rule. Before this, Jews lived well in Spain and could practice their religion freely. But the Almohad leaders forced many Jews and Christians in cities to change their religion. Some Jews pretended to change just to stay safe. Others had to wear special clothes to show they still kept their old beliefs. Many Jews moved away to places where they could live more freely.

List of Almohad rulers

Here are the leaders of the Almohad Caliphate and the years they ruled:

Ibn Tumart 1121–1130
Abd al-Mu'min 1130–1163
Abu Ya'qub Yusuf I 1163–1184
Abu Yusuf Ya'qub 'al-Mansur' 1184–1199
Muhammad al-Nasir 1199–1213
Abu Ya'qub Yusuf II 'al-Mustansir' 1213–1224
Abu Muhammad Abd al-Wahid I 'al-Makhlu' 1224
Abdallah al-Adil 1224–1227
Yahya 'al-Mutasim' 1227–1229
Abu al-Ala Idris I al-Ma'mun, 1229–1232
Abu Muhammad Abd al-Wahid II 'al-Rashid' 1232–1242
Abu al-Hassan Ali 'al-Said' 1242–1248
Abu Hafs Umar 'al-Murtada', 1248–1266
Abu al-Ula (Abu Dabbus) Idris II 'al-Wathiq' 1266–1269

Almohad family tree

The Almohad Caliphate was a powerful empire led by a Berber Muslim family in North Africa. It existed during the 1100s and 1200s. The empire covered large parts of the Maghreb and parts of Spain called Al-Andalus. The movement began with a leader named Ibn Tumart. Later, another leader named Abd al-Mu'min established the ruling family known as the Mu'minid dynasty.