Abd al-Wahid II facts for kids

Abd al-Wahid II (full name: Abu Muhammad ar-Rashid Abd al-Wahid) was an important ruler of the Almohad Caliphate. He was a caliph, which is a leader of a Muslim state, and he ruled from 1232 until he died in 1242.

Who Was Abd al-Wahid II?

Abd al-Wahid II became the caliph after his father, Idris I, passed away. His father had been fighting against a rival leader named Yahya al-Mu'tasim. Yahya was in control of Marrakesh, which was the capital city at the time.

Becoming a Leader

When Abd al-Wahid II took over, the Almohad Caliphate was starting to break apart. This meant that different parts of the empire were becoming independent. He tried to take back Marrakesh from Yahya, but he wasn't successful.

Facing Challenges

During his rule, many areas of the caliphate declared their independence. For example, the Emir of Tlemcen became independent in 1236. This happened after the Hafsid ruler in Tunisia, Abu Zakariya Yahya, had already done the same.

Abd al-Wahid II also faced many rebellions in the southern parts of his caliphate, especially in the Sahara desert. He had to stop trying to recapture Marrakesh and Tlemcen to deal with these uprisings. He led a strong campaign against the rebels in the Sahara and managed to defeat them by 1239.

After putting down the rebellions, he turned his attention back to getting his lost lands back.

His Final Years

In 1242, Abd al-Wahid II ordered his governor to fight against another group trying to break away. This was the Marinid leader, Abu Yahya ibn Abd al-Haqq, who had taken control of Fes.

However, Abd al-Wahid II died in December of the same year. He was found drowned in a pool at his palace, or he might have died from a fall. After his death, his brother, Abu al-Hasan as-Said al-Mutadid, became the next caliph.

See also

In Spanish: Abd al-Wáhid II para niños