Why Muslims Invaded Spain?
"From History"
Thursday May 08 2008 14:38:31 PM BDT
By Shazib Chowdhury, USA
During the 7th Century when majority of Africa was enjoyingthe blessings
of
toleration, justice and prosperity under the Muslims,neighbouring Spain
was
groaning under the tyranny, and bigotry of its Gothic King Roderick. The
honour of women was not safe and thetillers of the soil were put to heavy
taxation. The rulers and their henchmenrevelled in luxury while the m*****
groaned in poverty.
A large number ofrefugees from Spainboth Christians and Jews who had
suffered under the Gothic rule had takenrefuge in Muslim Africa. During
that
period nobilities in Spain used tosend their sons and daughters in the
royal
palace as an intern to be trainednoble manners and conduct. Julian, the
Governor of Ceuta,whose daughter Florinda was sent toroyal place as an
intern had been dishonoured and violated by King Roderick.Following this
disgraceful incidence Governor Julian of Ceuta fled Spain and tookasylum
across the Gibraltar in Muslim Africa. Thefled refugees from Spainalong
with
Governor Ceuta appealedto Musa bin Nusair to liberate their country from
the
tyrant's yoke. Tariqbin Ziyad, a newly converted Berber slave was a
lieutenant of Musa binNusair, the Muslim Viceroy of Africarepresenting
theUmayyad Caliph Al-Walid I.
Following the appeal of the fled Spaniardrefugees Musa bin Nusair sent a
messenger to the Caliph Al-Walid Iin Damascus.The Caliph after much
thought
and after taking council of his advisors agreedin principle to consider
the
appeal of the oppressed citizen of Spain andliberate them from the
tyrannical King. According to the Islamicprinciples oppression should be
stopped by all means.
In response to their prayer and with the sanction of the Caliph Al-Walid
I,
Musa bin Nusair made areconnaissance on the southern coast of Spain. The
re****t was favourableand in May 711, Tariq bin Zaid with 7,000 Muslims
crossed the Straits in****ps in small contingents. As his troops landed in
Europe, Tariq concentratedthem on a hill, which took the name of
'Jabl-ul-Tariq' (The Rock ofTariq) now called Gibraltar, and urged
themeither to conquer or perish. They had no intention to go back home.
The Gothic King Roderick collected a huge army of more than 70,000solders.
Tariq, too was reinforced by 5,000 soldiers dispatched by Musaand now his
army numbered 12,000. The two armies met at the mouth of riverBarbate, on
the shores of a lagoon of Janda and fought a decisive battle onJuly 9th,
711, A.D. The two armies were unequally matched.
Therefore, the armies of Tariq metlittle resistance in the interior of
Spain. His was a triumphant marchfrom place to place in the Peninsula.
Tariqhad divided his small army into four divisions and directed one of
hislieutenants towards Cordova, the other towards Malaga,thethird towards
Granada and himself at the head ofthe main body hurriedly marched upon
Toledo,the Capital of Spain. All these cities capitulated without much
resistance. TheGoths were paralysed by the rapidity of Tariq's movement
and
the severity ofhis blows. The Gothic armies fled before him. 'God', says
an
analyst, 'filledthe hearts of idolaters with terror and alarm.' The
oppressed m***** of Spain hailedthe Muslims as their liberators. The
exemplary treatment of Tariq and his menendeared him to the conquered
races.
The fiercest battle of the entire campaignwas fought at Ecija, which
resulted in the victory of Tariq's forces. Toledo, the Capital ofSpain,
also
capitulated after little resistance. Here Tariq was joined by hisMaster
Musabin Nusair, thee Muslim viceroy of Africa.Hence forward, the two
generals moved side by side and in less than two years,the whole of Spain
was inMuslim hands ****tugalwas conquered, a few years after. 'This
constituted the last and the mostsensational of the major Arab campaigns',
writes Philip K. Hitti,' and resultedin the addition to the Moslem world
of
the largest European territory ever heldby them. In its swiftness of
execution and completeness of success, thi***pedition into Spainholds a
unique place in the Mediaeval Military Annals.
Musa and Tariq would have easilyconquered the whole of Europe which lay
attheir feet. There was none to stop their victorious advance, but
Providence meantotherwise. When they were planning the conquest of Europe,
they received summons from the Caliph to present themselves at Damascus.
They exhibited a rare discipline byobeying the orders of the Caliph,
reaching Damascus at the earliest possible time. Tariqdied there
afterwards.
The Berber slave was destined to bethe conqueror of Spain, thebiggest
Muslim
territory in Europe, which, foreight centuries under the Muslims, kept
aloft
the torch of civilisation andculture that at last dispelled the gloom that
had enveloped the MediaevalEurope.
Soon after the death of the HolyProphet of Islam (PBUH), the Muslims were
threatened from all sides. The mightyneighbouring Empires of the Roman and
Persians were conspiring to uproot thisnew force. But the Arabs not only
met
this challenge but also crushed the twogreatest Empires of the world, and
in
less than half a century their arms heldsway over the three known
continents.
The Islamic principles of equalityand fraternity had enabled the conquered
and newly converted races to taketheir share in the government along with
the noblest of the Arabs. Islamrecognised no distinction of caste and
creed
and readily patronised talentwherever found. This is why all capable
slaves
have occupied the highestpositions in an Islamic polity and many slave
dynasties have magnificentlyruled over Muslim subjects.
The conquest of Spain by Muslims opened a new era for the Peninsula. It
brought about a social revolution in whichthe freedom of religion was
fully
recognised. The in- toleration andpersecution of the Christians gave place
to toleration and large-heartedness.The captured Christian cities received
favourable terms which were faithfullyobserved. Individual acts of
violence
by the Muslim soldiers were severelypunished. No properties or estates
were
confiscated. Instead, the Muslimsintroduced an intelligent system of
taxation, which soon brought prosperity tothe Peninsula and made it a
model
country inthe West. The Christians had their own judges to settle their
disputes. Allcommunities had equal op****tunities for entry into the public
services.
This wise and generous administration of Muslimconquerors had its good
effects. The Christians including their priests, whohad first left their
homes in terror came back and p***** a happy andprosperous life. A
well-known Christian writer says: 'The Moors(Muslims)organised that
wonderful kingdom of Cordova, which was the marvel ofthe Middle Ages, and
which, when all Europe was plunged in barbaric ignoranceand strife, alone
held the torch of learning and civilisation bright and ****ningbefore the
Western world. The Muslimsruled Spainfor eight centuries setting the best
example in the history of sharedGovernance of an empire by the Muslims,
Christians and the Jewish people. Thethree religion coexisted in a
peaceful
harmony during a significant period oftime in Muslim Spain.
--------------------
Shazib Chowdhury
USA
E Mail :shazib_c@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Torpedo" <guest@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:48240179$0$28359$c30e37c6@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> ...to exxtend harem monopoly.
>
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> wrote in message
> news:tZ6dnQrU1IggRL7VnZ2dnUVZ_jmdnZ2d@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Why Muslims Invaded Spain?
> >
> > "From History"
> >
> >
> > Thursday May 08 2008 14:38:31 PM BDT
> >
> >
> > By Shazib Chowdhury, USA
> >
> >
> > During the 7th Century when majority of Africa was enjoyingthe
blessings
> of
> > toleration, justice and prosperity under the Muslims,neighbouring
Spain
> was
> > groaning under the tyranny, and bigotry of its Gothic King Roderick.
The
> > honour of women was not safe and thetillers of the soil were put to
heavy
> > taxation. The rulers and their henchmenrevelled in luxury while the
m*****
> > groaned in poverty.
> >
> > A large number ofrefugees from Spainboth Christians and Jews who had
> > suffered under the Gothic rule had takenrefuge in Muslim Africa.
During
> that
> > period nobilities in Spain used tosend their sons and daughters in the
> royal
> > palace as an intern to be trainednoble manners and conduct. Julian,
the
> > Governor of Ceuta,whose daughter Florinda was sent toroyal place as an
> > intern had been dishonoured and violated by King Roderick.Following
this
> > disgraceful incidence Governor Julian of Ceuta fled Spain and
tookasylum
> > across the Gibraltar in Muslim Africa. Thefled refugees from
Spainalong
> with
> > Governor Ceuta appealedto Musa bin Nusair to liberate their country
from
> the
> > tyrant's yoke. Tariqbin Ziyad, a newly converted Berber slave was a
> > lieutenant of Musa binNusair, the Muslim Viceroy of Africarepresenting
> > theUmayyad Caliph Al-Walid I.
> >
> > Following the appeal of the fled Spaniardrefugees Musa bin Nusair sent
a
> > messenger to the Caliph Al-Walid Iin Damascus.The Caliph after much
> thought
> > and after taking council of his advisors agreedin principle to
consider
> the
> > appeal of the oppressed citizen of Spain andliberate them from the
> > tyrannical King. According to the Islamicprinciples oppression should
be
> > stopped by all means.
> >
> > In response to their prayer and with the sanction of the Caliph
Al-Walid
> I,
> > Musa bin Nusair made areconnaissance on the southern coast of Spain.
The
> > re****t was favourableand in May 711, Tariq bin Zaid with 7,000 Muslims
> > crossed the Straits in****ps in small contingents. As his troops landed
in
> > Europe, Tariq concentratedthem on a hill, which took the name of
> > 'Jabl-ul-Tariq' (The Rock ofTariq) now called Gibraltar, and urged
> > themeither to conquer or perish. They had no intention to go back
home.
> >
> > The Gothic King Roderick collected a huge army of more than
70,000solders.
> > Tariq, too was reinforced by 5,000 soldiers dispatched by Musaand now
his
> > army numbered 12,000. The two armies met at the mouth of riverBarbate,
on
> > the shores of a lagoon of Janda and fought a decisive battle onJuly
9th,
> > 711, A.D. The two armies were unequally matched.
> >
> > Therefore, the armies of Tariq metlittle resistance in the interior of
> > Spain. His was a triumphant marchfrom place to place in the Peninsula.
> > Tariqhad divided his small army into four divisions and directed one
of
> > hislieutenants towards Cordova, the other towards Malaga,thethird
towards
> > Granada and himself at the head ofthe main body hurriedly marched upon
> > Toledo,the Capital of Spain. All these cities capitulated without much
> > resistance. TheGoths were paralysed by the rapidity of Tariq's
movement
> and
> > the severity ofhis blows. The Gothic armies fled before him. 'God',
says
> an
> > analyst, 'filledthe hearts of idolaters with terror and alarm.' The
> > oppressed m***** of Spain hailedthe Muslims as their liberators. The
> > exemplary treatment of Tariq and his menendeared him to the conquered
> races.
> >
> > The fiercest battle of the entire campaignwas fought at Ecija, which
> > resulted in the victory of Tariq's forces. Toledo, the Capital
ofSpain,
> also
> > capitulated after little resistance. Here Tariq was joined by
hisMaster
> > Musabin Nusair, thee Muslim viceroy of Africa.Hence forward, the two
> > generals moved side by side and in less than two years,the whole of
Spain
> > was inMuslim hands ****tugalwas conquered, a few years after. 'This
> > constituted the last and the mostsensational of the major Arab
campaigns',
> > writes Philip K. Hitti,' and resultedin the addition to the Moslem
world
> of
> > the largest European territory ever heldby them. In its swiftness of
> > execution and completeness of success, thi***pedition into Spainholds
a
> > unique place in the Mediaeval Military Annals.
> >
> > Musa and Tariq would have easilyconquered the whole of Europe which
lay
> > attheir feet. There was none to stop their victorious advance, but
> > Providence meantotherwise. When they were planning the conquest of
Europe,
> > they received summons from the Caliph to present themselves at
Damascus.
> > They exhibited a rare discipline byobeying the orders of the Caliph,
> > reaching Damascus at the earliest possible time. Tariqdied there
> afterwards.
> >
> > The Berber slave was destined to bethe conqueror of Spain, thebiggest
> Muslim
> > territory in Europe, which, foreight centuries under the Muslims, kept
> aloft
> > the torch of civilisation andculture that at last dispelled the gloom
that
> > had enveloped the MediaevalEurope.
> >
> > Soon after the death of the HolyProphet of Islam (PBUH), the Muslims
were
> > threatened from all sides. The mightyneighbouring Empires of the Roman
and
> > Persians were conspiring to uproot thisnew force. But the Arabs not
only
> met
> > this challenge but also crushed the twogreatest Empires of the world,
and
> in
> > less than half a century their arms heldsway over the three known
> > continents.
> >
> > The Islamic principles of equalityand fraternity had enabled the
conquered
> > and newly converted races to taketheir share in the government along
with
> > the noblest of the Arabs. Islamrecognised no distinction of caste and
> creed
> > and readily patronised talentwherever found. This is why all capable
> slaves
> > have occupied the highestpositions in an Islamic polity and many slave
> > dynasties have magnificentlyruled over Muslim subjects.
> >
> > The conquest of Spain by Muslims opened a new era for the Peninsula.
It
> > brought about a social revolution in whichthe freedom of religion was
> fully
> > recognised. The in- toleration andpersecution of the Christians gave
place
> > to toleration and large-heartedness.The captured Christian cities
received
> > favourable terms which were faithfullyobserved. Individual acts of
> violence
> > by the Muslim soldiers were severelypunished. No properties or estates
> were
> > confiscated. Instead, the Muslimsintroduced an intelligent system of
> > taxation, which soon brought prosperity tothe Peninsula and made it a
> model
> > country inthe West. The Christians had their own judges to settle
their
> > disputes. Allcommunities had equal op****tunities for entry into the
public
> > services.
> >
> > This wise and generous administration of Muslimconquerors had its good
> > effects. The Christians including their priests, whohad first left
their
> > homes in terror came back and p***** a happy andprosperous life. A
> > well-known Christian writer says: 'The Moors(Muslims)organised that
> > wonderful kingdom of Cordova, which was the marvel ofthe Middle Ages,
and
> > which, when all Europe was plunged in barbaric ignoranceand strife,
alone
> > held the torch of learning and civilisation bright and ****ningbefore
the
> > Western world. The Muslimsruled Spainfor eight centuries setting the
best
> > example in the history of sharedGovernance of an empire by the
Muslims,
> > Christians and the Jewish people. Thethree religion coexisted in a
> peaceful
> > harmony during a significant period oftime in Muslim Spain.
> >
> > --------------------
> > Shazib Chowdhury
> > USA
> > E Mail :shazib_c@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
> >
>
>
|
