Al-Rumaikiyya facts for kids

Al-Rumaikiyya (Arabic: اعتماد الرميكية) was a famous poet from Al-Andalus, which was a Muslim kingdom in what is now Spain. She was the wife of Emir Al-Mu'tamid, who ruled Seville. She was likely born between the years 1045 and 1047.

Biography

Al-Rumaikiyya came from a simple background. She worked as a servant for a man in Seville, helping to move goods with animals. One day, the future king, Al-Mu'tamid, saw her in the street. He was so impressed by her skills and beauty that he decided to marry her right away.

This made his father, Emir Al-Mu'tadid, quite unhappy at first. However, Al-Rumaikiyya soon won over the king's father, especially after she had a grandson for him.

Even though she came from a humble family, Al-Rumaikiyya was a wonderful queen. She handled her duties very well, even in the grand court of Seville. She loved her husband very much, and he loved her just as deeply. When Al-Mu'tamid became king, he tried to grant all of his wife's wishes. Their strong love for each other inspired them to write beautiful poems. We only have one poem written by Al-Rumaikiyya today.

The queen was not just busy with her wishes and writing poems. An old stone carving in the Museum of Seville shows that she helped build a tower at a mosque. This mosque used to be where the Church of San Juan de la Palma is now. It's even possible that she helped build the entire mosque.

After Al-Mu'tamid lost his throne to Yusuf ibn Tashfin in 1091, Al-Rumaikiyya, her husband, and their children were taken to a fort in Aghmat. It is believed she died there. Many people at the time felt sad about her difficult life.

Children and descendants

Al-Rumaikiyya and Al-Mu'tamid had several children:

• Prince Abbad. He died in battle.
• Prince Arradi. He also died in battle.
• Prince Al-Ma'maún. He died in battle too.
• Prince Rashid. He was the Crown Prince of Seville.
• Prince Al-Motab.
• Prince Abu Hashem.
• Princess Buthaina. She was also a poet.

In legend

The love story between King Al-Mu'tamid and Al-Rumaikiyya led to many famous tales. Here is one well-known Spanish story:

One day, a wise advisor named Patronio was talking to a count. The count was upset because a man he helped often seemed ungrateful if he didn't get exactly what he wanted. Patronio told the count that this situation was like what happened between King Al-Mu'tamid and his wife, Al-Rumaikiyya.

The count asked what had happened. Patronio explained that King Al-Mu'tamid loved Al-Rumaikiyya more than anyone. She was a good person, and people remembered her for her wise words and actions. But sometimes, she could be a bit whimsical and want unusual things.

One snowy day in February, in the city of Córdoba, Al-Rumaikiyya started crying. The king asked why. She said she was sad because she never got to go to places where it snowed. To make her happy, the king had almond trees brought from the mountains. He planted them so that when they bloomed in February, their white flowers looked just like snow. This made the queen very happy.

Another time, Al-Rumaikiyya was in her room by the river. She saw a woman collecting mud to make bricks and started crying again. She told the king she wished she could do what she wanted, like that humble woman. To please her, the king ordered a large lake in Córdoba to be filled with rosewater. Then, he had the ground around it mixed with sugar, cinnamon, lavender, and other sweet-smelling spices. When the "mud" was ready, the king told his wife to take off her shoes and make mud bricks all she wanted.

Later, she wanted something else and began to cry again. The king asked why. She replied that he never did anything to truly please her. The good king, seeing that she didn't appreciate all he had done, didn't know what else to do. He said in Arabic, "Not even the day you played with mud?" He wanted her to remember how much he had tried to make her happy.

Patronio then told the count: "My lord, if that man forgets all you've done for him just because you haven't done exactly what he wants now, don't do anything to harm him. And if someone has done you a favor, but then doesn't do everything you want, don't forget the good they have done for you." The count thought this was excellent advice and followed it, which helped him greatly.

Images for kids

• 

  Tomb of Al-Mu'tamid and his wife Al-Rumaikiyya in Aghmat

See also

In Spanish: Romaiquía para niños