IDRISID

During the second half of the first century, Islamic expansion annexed the Maghreb to the rule of the Islamic Caliphate in the East. However, the Umayyad [i] and Abbasid rulers' policies and treatment of Amazigh Muslim tribes ultimately led the tribes to revolt and rally around Mawla "Idris bin Abdullah” [ii] --the founder of the Idrisid state in Morocco. He reunified the Amazigh tribes and established the first Islamic Moroccan state; however, power struggles following Idris II’s death, as well as the sectarian conflicts in the Islamic West at that time were two significant factors that heavily contributed to the civilization’s eventual decline.

Under Idris II’s rule, the Maghreb region was predominantly unified. However, after a period of stability at the end of the 9th century, the Idrisid civilization was fraught with challenges, opposition, and conflict. The Amazigh Zenata [iii] tribes overtook the region politically and fought on behalf of two major rival powers in the region; the Fatimid Dynasty [iv]and the Umayyad Dynasty. This led the Idrisids to be ultimately ousted from Fez in 927, and maintain only a mere segment of their once unified area in the north of Morocco. Due to these regional struggles, the Idrisids were officially removed from power in 974.

The capital city, Fez, had a distinct cultural radiance that still persists today. Sultan Idris II founded the city in the year 808 CE in the Sais Valley. The city has many mosques, but the most prominent and enduring of all was the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque [v], which was built in the year 859 CE [vi] and remains a major cultural staple of Fez. The Idrisid State was also the first to pave the way for the emergence of independent Islamic states, which were eventually able to rule the entire Maghreb, and even reach Andalusia in the cases of the Almoravid [vii] and Almohad Dynasties [viii].

The rule of the Idrisid state lasted for about 130 years, and passed through three stages: foundation, strength, and weakness. The foundation stage lasted 41 years, beginning with Idris I in 188 CE, and ending with the death of Idris II in 829 CE, marking the culmination of his 26 year reign. The Idrisids’ era of peak strength lasted for 30 years, during which three kings ruled; Muhammad bin Idris [ix], Ali bin Muhammad [x], and Yahya bin Muhammad [xi]. The final stage, one of weakness, persisted for 59 years. Three kings ruled throughout this stage: Ali bin Omar, Yahya III, and Yahya IV.

The Idrisid State was founded by Idris I and was further developed during the reign of Idris II. Before the advent of the Idrisid State, the Far Maghreb was composed of principalities whose rule was contested by different powers in the north, center, and south of the region. The area’s inhabitants were followers of broadly varied divine religions and idolatry. Mawla Idris bin Abdullah, who was affiliated with the Prophet’s House, was able to reach Morocco in the year 788 CE, and the Amazigh and European tribes pledged allegiance to him in the imperial city of Volubilis [xii] in present day Morocco.

After the death of Idris I, the Idrisid State’s population pledged allegiance to his son, Idris II in 803 CE. Idris II made major strides in cultivating the civilization’s legacy. He founded the city of Fez [xiii] and made it the long-standing capital of his territory. Idris II also worked to organize the civilization’s administration processes, as well as the army. Idris II undertook the feat of unification and successfully unified most of the countries of the Maghreb [xiv]; however some western regions remained subject to the rule of the Amazigh empire of Barghawata [xv], and some remained part of the north under the rule of Sanhaja [xvi]

The Idrisid civilization’s economic conditions fluctuated with natural and political conditions. At the time of its inception, the Idrisid economy was stable thanks to their victory in the War of the Polytheists. This combined with their policies and unified adherence to Islam, led their economy to flourish in its early years. However, due to a lack of attention to the health sector, epidemics [xvii] had devastating consequences. Around the year 260 CE, epidemics began to spread voraciously in Andalusia and Morocco. A devastating famine and financial collapse led to the death of a large number of Idrisid people and crumbled the economy.