The Idrisid dynasty or Idrisids were an Arab Muslim dynasty ruling most of present-day Morocco and parts of present-day western Algeria. The dynasty was named after its founder, Idris bin Abdullah bin al-Hasan al-Muthanna bin al-Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Talib.
He escaped from the massacre of Fakh and thereafter escaped to Al-Maghrib. He stayed in the town of Walaila with its chief Ishaq bin Muhammad bin Abdul Hamid al-Urbi. This happened on the first of Rabi-ul-Awwal 172 A.H.
It was the beginning of the Idrisid Shi’ite State of Maghrib. During the reign of aforementioned Idris I, a huge army was organized for the State which conquered all the surrounding areas up to the extreme parts of Al-Maghrib,
Especially those parts where Islam had not yet reached like Kablad (Tadla), the forts of Fandlawah, Madyutah, Bahlulah, Ghiyathah, Fazar etc. He further advanced and conquered the areas which are known as Al-Maghrib Al-Awsat.
In this way, he was able to establish his rule and maintain it and set the rules of the government. But he was suddenly poisoned to death and was succeeded by his son Idris bin Idris. What he did and achieved is given in detail in his life account.
In brief, this state continued to be stronger day by day. Idris II became the accepted ruler of Al-Maghrib. His power increased and his armies, as well as followers, became more and more.
His reign is distinguished by the fact that he did not concentrate on Berbers alone, but Arabs from Africa (modern Egypt and Eastern Libya) came to him to join him, e.g. people from Banu Qais, Banu Azd, Banu Mudhhiji, Banu Yahsab, Banu Sadaf etc. They became his ministers and judges.
Now the capital of the state Walaili became too small to fulfil the needs of a developing State. Idris II, therefore, built a new capital and named it Fas (Fez).
Then, he expanded his territory and conquered the cities of Nafis and Aghmat as well as surrounding areas. The Khariji propaganda was very much prevalent among the Berbers at that time.
He dealt with them and subdued them. Then he took away Algiers and Morocco from the Abbasid, extending from Sus to the Valley of Shalaf.
He died after a rule of 36 years. His kingdom settled and his leadership was firmly established. He was succeeded by his son Muhammad bin Idris who had eleven brothers.
He, therefore, distributed the whole territory among his brothers and made his viceroys in those regions. He himself remained in Fas.
The author of Al-Istiqsa’ says, “They controlled the officials, guarded the borders, protected its roads and they were envied for their character.
But the distribution of the territory among the brothers did not prove fruitful. Muhammad bin Idris took that step to give an equal share to his brothers and let them participate in the rule which might improve on account of competition.
But the result was quite different from what he had desired. There arose troubles among them which led to mutual fighting sometimes.
On the death of Muhammad bin Idris, his son Ali bin Muhammad known as Haydarah came to the throne. According to the author of Al-Istiqsa’, his period was the best.
Ibn Abi Zara’ says about him that he acted upon the ways of his father and grandfather in adhering to justice and therefore, the people lived in his period in peace and order.
He was succeeded by his brother Yahya bin Muhammad about whom Ibn Khaldun says, “His authority extended, his state became grand, his reign became good.
The city of Fas developed. Many public baths and hotels ware erected to which people from far off borders came to live.
Similarly, Ibn Abi Zara says “People from Andalus (Iberian Peninsula), Africa and different parts of Al-Maghrib came to this city.”
During his reign, the Mosque of Al-Qarwiyyin was built in the city of Fas. He was succeeded by his son Yahya. Ali bin Uman bin Idris, Yahya bin al-Qasim bin Idris, Yahya bin Idris bin Uman bin Idris, one after another.
The author of Al-Istiqsa says about him that he was the joining link between the members of the Idris family. He had the most prominent position among them and had the most fame. He was also more just than all of them, more qualified and had wider authority. He was a jurist and had memorized a large number of Traditions. He was an eloquent, conversationalist, brave, patient, considerate and very religious and pious.
Ibn Khaldun remarks that none among the Idrisids reached his glory in respect of territory as well as authority.
The Idrisid state was merged into the Fatimids when their first Caliph Ubaidullah al-Mahdi appeared. His commander advanced towards Fas in 503 A.H and laid siege to it till the Idrisid king Yahya agreed to take the oath of fealty to the Fatimid Caliph.
Idrisids in Al-Maghrib
Cidiuea has said in his book on the History of Arabs, “The Idrisid remained in possession of the territory they had captured from 803 to 949 A.D.
They stayed in a country which is greatly indebted to them. They founded the city of Fas, the Mosque which became the most sacred monument for all the people living in the surrounding areas.
It became well known within a very short span of time. The city contained a large number of schools and libraries which carried on the work by the Abbasids in the form of literary and intellectual movements in the East.
This city, therefore, became a huge storehouse (of knowledge) between the Arabs of Spain and those of Africa. The fact is that the establishment of the ldrisid state in Al-Maghrib led to grand consequences due to their efforts. Islam spread to every part of Al-Maghrib.
Through their efforts, literary and intellectual movements started there and schools and libraries were set up. Urbanization increased and cities were founded which led to development of civilization and growth of culture.
Had not there been those difficult conditions which they had to face and which limited their activities and paralyzed their efforts, they had been much more than what they appear to us now.
The most glorious work which the Idrisids did was that Islam was spread among the Berbers through their efforts and was firmly rooted among them, so much so that they became the staunchest among the tribes of Al-Maghrib in respect to defending Islam.
Most of them were non-Muslims. The reason was that the Muslim conquerors before Idrisids gave them bad treatment. When Idris I reached there, stayed among them, married a Berber woman who gave birth to many children, the Berbers and their grand-children became amalgamated.
This unification of the Berbers and grandchildren of Idris I is borne out by more than one historian. They thus become one with the Berbers and propagated Islam in those areas, and consequently founded two famous Islamic states in Al-Maghrib.
To be continued!
