The pioneering role of the Saqaliba in Islamic Andalusian history

Abstract

The Muslims refer to the Iberian Peninsula, located in southwestern Europe, as 'Al-Andalus'. Muslim geographers have defined the boundaries of this land as the Mediterranean Sea to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the Pyrenees Mountains to the east. A study of the history of Islam shows that Al-Andalus is one of the shining regions of the Islamic world, which was somewhat separated from the Islamic East following the establishment of the Umayyad state, especially in its political history. However, the history of Al-Andalus cannot be completely separated from the history of the Islamic East. The history established by the Umayyad state in Al-Andalus has a distinctive feature that places it in a special part of the history of the Islamic state in the Middle Ages, without exceeding it or gaining complete independence from it. There is no doubt that the rule of the Muslims in Al-Andalus represents one of the most glorious historical periods in this part of the world, and the scientific and civilizational achievements of the Muslims there are a precious part of human heritage. This land is rich in a long history of progress and prosperity, as well as decline and fall. The Muslims ruled Al-Andalus for nearly eight centuries, and this period witnessed the presence of many tribes, some of which joined the Umayyad state and others opposed it. Among these groups, the Saqaliba stood out, who were similar to the Turks in the era of the Abbasid state; they had no status or prestige at first. But over time, and as a result of the interest of some Muslim caliphs in Al-Andalus, they were granted political, social, and cultural status, and played an important role, even establishing their own states. Given the importance of this issue, this thesis seeks to study the subject in detail. We will focus in this research on the leading role of the Saqaliba in different periods of their rule in Al-Andalus, where they did not have a comprehensive and continuous rule in Al-Andalus, but rather independent Saqaliba states emerged in the period of weakness of the Umayyad state, the most prominent of which was in the period from (1031 AD- 422 AH) until its end in the (11th) century AD. These kingdoms were established after the collapse of the Umayyad state and emerged as the Taifa kings in eastern Al-Andalus.