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 asSpainandPortugal. This state lasted for
eight centuries.This great hero was not originally an Arab, rather he
was one of the Berbers who lived inMorocco. 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
ofMorocco. Taariq participated in the Islamic conquests and he
displayed superior courage and excellent commanding skills that
attracted the attention ofMoosaa Ibn Nusayr. Moosaa Ibn Nusayr admired
his skills and abilities and appointed him as the ruler of Tangier, a
Moroccan city on theMediterranean.
An opportunity to conquer Andalusia
Andalusiawas ruled by an unjust king, Ludrique, who was hated by his
own people who were thinking of deposing himand revolting against him.
They sought the help of the Muslims who were ruling the North African
region, especially after they heard how fairthe Muslims are. Count
Julian, ruler ofCeutanear Tangier, intermediated inorder 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 goodopportunity to resume
Jihaad and conquests and to spread Islam and allow people to know
about its noble teachings. Taariq sent to Moosaa Ibn Nusayr,
inMorocco, in order to takepermission to conquerAndalusia. 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
conquerAndalusiaand explain the situation to him. The Caliph gave him
permission but instructedMoosaa Ibn Nusayr to send a reconnaissance
campaign first in order todiscover what is going on inAndalusiabefore
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 toAndalusia. 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 inAndalusia. 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 namedTareefIslandafter 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 ofAndalusia. 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 MuslimArmy was assembled neara
mountain that was known later as Jabal Taariq )the mount of Taariq
orGibraltar( on the fifth of Rajab 92 A.H., the 27thof 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 "GreenIsland"
province and occupied itscastles. 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 toToledo, the capital of the
country, and prepared himself to encounter the Muslim army.
Taariq Ibn Ziyaad marched north towardsToledo. His forces camped in a
wide valley betweenTajoriver in the east and Albarracin river in the
west. At the same time, Ludrique completedhis preparations and
recruited a tremendous army of one hundred thousand warriors armedwith
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 tellinghim 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.
The big encounter
Ludrique marched towards Shadhunah where he completed his
preparations. Then he headed in order to encounter the Muslims.
A decisive battle took place between the two armies near Shadhunah.
The battle started on the 28thof Ramadhaan 92 A.H., the 18thof July
711 A.C. and continued for eight days. The Muslims were courageous
fighters, and were as firm as mountains in the battlefield, although
their enemy who were well-equipped outnumbered them. The Muslims were
not afraid of the enemy's power or large number. The Muslims were
victorious over their enemy through excellent preparation,
deeply-rooted faith, sincerity, and the ardent desire to be killed as
martyrs for the sake of Allaah.
On the eighth day of the battle, the Muslims were victorious.
Ludrique, the last of the Visigoth kings, fled after the battle, and
no trace of him was found; it seems that he lost his life in the
battle in which he had also lost his kingdom.
The aftermath of victory
After this resounding victory, Taariq chased thedefeated army and he
marched out with his army conquering the country. He did not encounter
considerable resistance on his march to the north. On his way
toToledo, the capital of the Visigoth, Taariq sent small military
expeditionsin order to conquer citiessuch asCordoba,GranadaandMalaga.
Taariq continued his march northward penetrating the hills of
Andalusia until he reachedToledoafter a long, harsh journey that
covered more than six hundred kilometers awayfrom the battlefield.
When Taariq reachedToledo, he treated its people kindly and he did not
touch their churches. Then he marched further north until he reached
theBay of Biscay. He returned again toToledoand wrote a message to
Moosaa Ibn Nusayr informing him of his victorious conquest. He asked
for more men and equipment in order to continue his march, spread
Islam in these areas and help its people get rid of the injustice of
the Visigoths.
Moosaa Ibn Nusayr and his participation in the conquest ofAndalusia:
Moosaa Ibn Nusayr was following up the march of the Islamic army
underthe command of Taariq Ibn Ziyaad. He realized that Taariq is in
need of help and support, especially after the martyrdom of many
Muslims in the battles they fought. Commanding eighteen thousand
soldiers, he crossed toAndalusiain Ramadhaan 93 A.H., June 712 A.C. He
marched taking a different route other than the one taken by Taariq so
that he could have the honor of conquering new areas. He marched until
he reachedToledowhere he met Taariq Ibn Ziyaad.
After a short rest inToledo, the two commanders restarted invasion
again and they conquered Zaragoza,TarragonaandBarcelonaas well as
other cities. Then, each commander took a different route until they
conquered all ofAndalusia.
The Return toDamascus
While the two commanders were conquering these areas, they received a
message from caliph Al-Waleed Ibn `Abdul-Malik in whichhe asked them
to stop the conquest and return toDamascusin order to submit a report
on the progress of the conquest.The two commanders organized the
affairs of the places they conquered and tookSevilleas capital
ofAndalusiadue to its closeness to the sea.
The two commanders leftAndalusia and marched towardsDamascus, the
capital of the Umayyad caliphate. They reachedDamascusand found that
Al-Waleed died and his brother Sulaymaan Ibn `Abdul-Malik has become
caliph. They submitted a complete report on the conquest. The caliph
ordered them to stay inDamascus. Taariq Ibn Ziyaad stayed there and
the caliph was satisfied with his great conquests that made him
immortal among the great Muslim commanders.
The character of Taariq Ibn Ziyaad
Taariq Ibn Ziyaad was a great commander who managed, through his
faith, patience, decisiveness and determination, to reach this high
position.
He managed to achieve all these victories because he used to think
over every step he takes, and he never rushed in taking decisions. He
used to collect information before he moves; for example, before he
crossed to Andalusia, he sent a reconnaissance expedition in order to
check the status quo ofAndalusia.
He was also a faithful believer and he was quite sure that Allaah's
victory will be in his side even in the most critical moments. For
eight days, he continued to fight an enemy that excelled his army in
terms of number and equipment, but with the Grace of Allaah he managed
to achieve victory at the end. /- -e-p * - ▓███▓ TRANSLATOR 1:->
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