Almohad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Almohad Caliphate الموَحدون (Al-Muwaḥḥidūn) ⵉⵎⵡⴻⵃⵃⴷⴻⵏ (Imweḥḥden)
1121–1269
Flag
The Almohad empire at its greatest extent, c. 1180–1212
Status	Ruling dynasty of Morocco; Caliphate (since 1147)
Capital	Tinmel (1121–1147) Marrakesh (1147–1269) In Al-Andalus: Seville (1147–1162) Córdoba (1162–1163) Seville (1163–1248)
Common languages	Arabic, Berber, Mozarabic
Religion	Sunni Islam (Creed: Ash'ari; Madhab: Zahiri)
Government	Caliphate
Caliph
• 1121–1130	Ibn Tumart (first, under title of "Mahdi")
• 1130–1163	Abd al-Mu'min (first, under title of "Caliph" from 1147)
• 1266–1269	Abu al-Ula al-Wathiq Idris (last)
History
• Established	1121
• Almoravids overthrown	1147
• Marinid suzerainty	1248
• Disestablished	1269
Area
1150 est.	2,300,000 km2 (890,000 sq mi)
Currency	Dinar
Preceded by Succeeded by Almoravid dynasty Hammadid kingdom Second Taifas period Kingdom of Africa Taifas in the Al-Andalus Marinid dynasty Hafsid dynasty Kingdom of Tlemcen Third Taifas period Kingdom of Castile Kingdom of Aragon Kingdom of Portugal Kingdom of Leon Emirate of Granada
Today part of	Algeria  Gibraltar (UK)  Libya  Morocco  Portugal  Spain  Tunisia  Western Sahara

The Almohad Dynasty was a powerful Berber Muslim empire. It was founded in the 12th century and took over a large part of northern Africa, reaching as far as Libya. They also conquered Al-Andalus, which was the Muslim part of the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal).

The name "Almohad" comes from the Arabic word al-Muwahhidun. This means "the monotheists" or "the Unitarians." It shows their strong belief in one God.

History of the Almohad Empire

The Almohad Dynasty began in the early 12th century. Its first leader was Ibn Tumart. He started a religious movement among the Berber tribes in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

Rise to Power

After Ibn Tumart's death, his follower Abd al-Mu'min took charge. Between 1130 and 1163, Abd al-Mu'min led the Almohads to defeat the ruling Almoravids. He became the ruler of all northern Africa, stretching to Libya.

In 1149, Abd al-Mu'min became the Emir (a type of ruler) of Marrakesh. He then expanded the empire by conquering Al-Andalus, the Muslim lands in Iberia. In 1170, the Almohads moved their capital in Al-Andalus to Seville.

Decline and Fall

The Almohad empire faced a major challenge in 1212. Their leader, Muhammad III, known as "al-Nasir," was defeated. This happened at the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in the Sierra Morena. He was fighting against a strong alliance of Christian princes from Castile, Aragón, Navarre, and Portugal.

After this big loss, the Almohads quickly lost almost all their lands in Iberia. Important cities like Córdoba and Seville were taken by Christian forces in the early 13th century.

The Almohads continued to rule in Africa for some time, but their empire kept shrinking. The last Almohad ruler, Idris II, only controlled the city of Marrakesh. He was murdered in 1269, which marked the end of the Almohad Dynasty.

Almohad Caliphs (Rulers), 1121–1269

Here is a list of the main leaders, or Caliphs, of the Almohad Dynasty:

• Ibn Tumart (1121–1130)
• Abd al-Mu'min (1130–1163)
• Abu Ya'qub Yusuf I (1163–1184)
• Abu Yusuf Ya'qub al-Mansur (1184–1199)
• Muhammad an-Nasir (1199–1213)
• Abu Ya'qub Yusuf II (1213–1224)
• Abd al-Wahid I (1224)
• Abdallah al-Adil (1224–1227)
• Yahya (1227–1235)
• Idris I (1227–1232)
• Abdul-Wahid II (1232–1242)
• Ali (1242–1248)
• Umar (1248–1266)
• Idris II (1266–1269)

Famous People and Culture

The Almohad period was known for its scholars and writers. Many of them were Sufi writers, who focused on spiritual aspects of Islam.

Some notable figures include:

• Sidi Abu Madyan Choaïb ben al-Houssein al-Ansari (1126-1198)
• Ali ibn Harzihim (died 1164)
• Abi Mohammed Salih (1153-1234)
• Abu Abdallah ibn Harzihim (died 1235)
• Abu-l-Hassan ash-Shadhili (1197-1258)
• Abdelwahid al-Marrakushi (born 1185) - a famous historian and writer
• Salih ben Sharif al-Rundi (1204-1285)

See Also

In Spanish: Imperio almohade para niños

• History of Islam
• History of Spain
• Nasrid
• Reconquista

Images for kids

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  The Almohad minaret in Safi.

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  Map showing the area of Almohad control in Spain and the paths of counter-attacks from Castile (C) and Aragón (A). ((L) Leon, (P) Portugal, (N) Navarre).

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  Approximate locations of the main Masmuda tribes that adhered to the Almohads.

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  Phases of the expansion of the Almohad state.

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  The Almohads transferred the capital of Al-Andalus to Seville.

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  Coin minted during the reign of Abu Yaqub Yusuf.

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  Almohad territories after 1212.

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  The "Las Navas de Tolosa banner," an Almohad banner captured by Ferdinand III in the 13th century.

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  The Monzón Lion, a bronze fountain from Al-Andalus dating from the 12th-13th century.

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  Fragment of Kufic inscription on cuerda seca tiles formerly around the minaret of the Kasbah Mosque.

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  The Kutubiyya Mosque in Marrakesh, founded by Abd al-Mu'min in 1147.

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  The ceremonial main gate of the Kasbah of the Udayas (in Rabat), added to the fortress by Ya'qub al-Mansur in the late 1190s.

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  Mihrab of the Great Mosque of Tinmal.

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  La Giralda, the former minaret of the Great Mosque of Seville, built during the Almohad period.

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  The south portico of the Patio del Yeso of the Alcázar of Seville, built during the Almohad period.

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  Reservoir of the al-Buḥayra gardens in Seville, with remains of palace structure behind it (partly occupied by later building).

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  Hassan Tower in Rabat: an incomplete minaret intended for an enormous mosque begun by Ya'qub al-Mansur in the 1190s.

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  Bab Ruwah ('Gate of the Winds') in Rabat.

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  The minaret of the Kasbah Mosque (or Al-Mansuriyya Mosque) in the Kasbah of Marrakesh.

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  Bab Agnaou, the original public entrance to the Kasbah of Marrakesh.

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  The Torre del Oro in Seville.

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  Calahorra Tower in Cordoba.