Abu'l-Hasan Ali of Granada facts for kids

Abu'l-Hasan Ali ibn Sa'd (Arabic: أبو الحسن علي, romanized: Abū al-Ḥasan ‘Alī ibn Saʿd) was an important ruler of the Emirate of Granada in Spain. He was known in Spanish as Muley Hacén. The word Muley comes from the Arabic word Mawlay, which means "My Lord". He was the twenty-first sultan from the Nasrid dynasty. He ruled Granada twice: first from 1464 to 1482, and then again from 1483 to 1485.

Life of Abu'l-Hasan Ali

Becoming Sultan and Early Rule

Abu'l-Hasan Ali was the son of Sultan Sa'd. He became the sultan of Granada in 1464. In 1477, he made a big decision. He refused to pay a special tax, called a tribute, to the Crown of Castile. This was a bold move, as it challenged the powerful Christian kingdoms.

Starting the War with Castile

In 1481, Abu'l-Hasan Ali ordered his army to attack the city of Zahara de la Sierra. This city was controlled by Christians. His forces surprised the people there, leading to a conflict. Isabella I of Castile, the Queen of Castile, saw this attack as a clear reason to start a war. This event marked the beginning of a long and important war against Granada.

Family and Challenges to His Rule

Abu'l-Hasan Ali had a son named Muhammad XII, who was also known as Boabdil. Boabdil later became the last sultan of Granada. His mother was Aixa, a relative of Abu'l-Hasan Ali.

Later, Abu'l-Hasan Ali married Isabel de Solís. She was a Christian who converted to Islam and was given the name Zoraida or Soraya, meaning "Star". This new marriage led to some disagreements within his family. Because of these family issues, and with support from his first wife Aixa, his son Boabdil took over as sultan in 1482.

Returning to Power and Final Years

After being removed from power, Abu'l-Hasan Ali was able to regain his throne in 1483. He ruled for two more years until his death in 1485. After he passed away, his brother became the new sultan.

Years later, after Granada was defeated in 1492, Zoraida and her two sons converted back to Catholicism. Her sons were then known as Juan de Granada and Fernando de Granada.

Cultural Connections

Mountain Named After Him

The highest mountain in the Iberian Peninsula is named Mulhacén. This mountain was named after Abu'l-Hasan Ali. It is a lasting reminder of his historical importance.

In Books and Stories

Abu'l-Hasan Ali appears as a character in some books. He is featured in the novel "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks. He is also briefly mentioned in Washington Irving's famous book, Tales of the Alhambra.

He was also mentioned by Nasim Hejazi in his novel Shaheen (novel). In this story, he is shown as a brave leader. He was someone who believed strongly in his faith and refused to pay tribute to the Christians. He saw paying tribute as a form of giving up his freedom.

See also

In Spanish: Muley Hacén para niños