Muhammad II of Granada facts for kids

Muhammad II (Arabic: محمد الثاني), also known as al-Faqih (meaning "the wise" or "the canon-lawyer"), was the second ruler of the Nasrid dynasty in the Emirate of Granada. He ruled from 1273 until his death in 1302. The Emirate of Granada was the last independent Muslim state on the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal).

Muhammad II followed his father, Muhammad I, as sultan. He was already very experienced in government when he became ruler. His main goal was to keep Granada independent from its powerful neighbors: the Christian kingdom of Castile to the north and the Muslim Marinid state in Morocco. He also had to deal with a rebellion from a powerful family called the Banu Ashqilula, who used to be allies of his own family.

After becoming sultan, Muhammad II tried to make a deal with Alfonso X of Castile, the King of Castile. Alfonso agreed to stop supporting the Banu Ashqilula if Muhammad paid him. But Alfonso took the money and still helped the Banu Ashqilula. So, Muhammad II turned to the Marinid ruler, Abu Yusuf. The Marinids sent an army to fight Castile, which was successful. However, Muhammad II became upset when the Marinids treated the Banu Ashqilula as if they were equal to him.

Through clever diplomacy, Muhammad II managed to get Málaga back in 1279. This city had been the main stronghold of the Banu Ashqilula. But in 1280, his plans backfired, and Granada was attacked by Castile, the Marinids, and the Banu Ashqilula all at once. Muhammad used disagreements between Alfonso X and his son Sancho to his advantage. He also got help from the "Volunteers of the Faith"—soldiers from North Africa. The threats lessened when Alfonso died in 1284 and Abu Yusuf died in 1286, as their successors were busy with their own problems. In 1288, the Banu Ashqilula left Granada for North Africa, which solved Muhammad's biggest internal problem.

In 1292, Granada helped Castile capture Tarifa from the Marinids, expecting to get the town in return. But Sancho IV of Castile broke his promise. Muhammad II then allied with the Marinids, but their attempt to retake Tarifa in 1294 failed. When Sancho died in 1295, leaving a young king, Ferdinand IV, Muhammad II took advantage. He launched a successful campaign against Castile, capturing the towns of Quesada and Alcaudete. He was also planning a joint attack with the kingdom of Aragon against Castile, but he died in 1302 before it could happen.

During his 25 years as ruler, Muhammad II made Granada stronger and more organized. He improved the government and the army. He also expanded the famous Alhambra palace and fortress. Granada's trade with Christian Europe, especially with cities like Genoa and Pisa, also grew. His nickname al-Faqih shows that he was well-educated and liked to be surrounded by scholars and poets.

Early Life and Family

Muhammad was born around 1235 or 1236 CE. His family, the Nasrids, came from the town of Arjona in Al-Andalus. According to a historian named Ibn al-Khatib, his family was descended from a famous companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

In 1232, Muhammad's father, Muhammad I, made Arjona an independent town. Later, this independent state grew and moved its center to Granada after losing Arjona in 1244. The Emirate of Granada became the last independent Muslim state in Spain.

Muhammad had older brothers and sisters. After his older brother Faraj died in 1257, Muhammad I named Muhammad and his brother Yusuf as his new heirs. In August 1257, Muhammad had his first son, who would later become Muhammad III. He also had another son, Nasr, and a daughter, Fatima. Fatima's children would later become rulers of Granada.

As an heir, Muhammad was involved in important state matters, including wars and diplomacy. He even served as a top advisor (called a vizier) for some time during his father's rule. By the time his father died in 1273, Muhammad II was 38 years old and a very experienced leader.

Muhammad II's Rule: 1273–1302

Granada's Position and Challenges

Map of the Nasrid Emirate of Granada. The borders changed over time, but this map shows the general area. Green/pale yellow: Granada.

Granada (brown borders in southern Iberia) and its neighbors in 1360.

Granada was located between two much larger powers. To the north was the Christian kingdom of Castile. Castile wanted to control Granada, stop its raids, and make it pay tribute. This tribute was a large sum of money, about half of Granada's income.

To the south was the Muslim Marinid state in Morocco. The Marinids felt it was their duty to protect Muslims in Spain and fight against the Christian expansion, known as the "Reconquista".

During Muhammad II's rule, Granada's main goal was to stay independent from both Castile and the Marinids. He worked to keep a balance of power and prevent them from forming alliances against him. Granada also wanted to control important port towns on the Strait of Gibraltar, like Algeciras, Tarifa, and Gibraltar. These ports were key for trade and travel between North Africa and Spain. The fight for these ports lasted for many years and is known as the "Battle of the Strait".

Besides these two foreign powers, Muhammad II also faced a challenge from the Banu Ashqilula. This was another powerful family from Arjona who had helped Muhammad I establish the kingdom. But they rebelled against Muhammad I from 1266 onwards. They even received help from Castile, whose king, Alfonso X, wanted to keep Granada in check. When Muhammad II took the throne, the Banu Ashqilula controlled important cities like Málaga (Granada's second-largest city) and Guadix.

Becoming Sultan and Dealing with Castile

On January 22, 1273, Muhammad I died after falling from a horse. His son, Muhammad, became Muhammad II. Since he was the chosen heir, the change in power happened smoothly. His first task was to deal with the Banu Ashqilula rebellion and the Castilian rebels who had been allied with his father.

Muhammad II began talks with King Alfonso X of Castile. He hoped that if Castile became his ally, he wouldn't have to worry about the rebels. In late 1273, Muhammad II visited Alfonso's court in Seville. Alfonso agreed to stop supporting the Banu Ashqilula. In return, Muhammad promised to be Alfonso's vassal (a ruler who owes loyalty to a more powerful king), pay a yearly tribute of 300,000 maravedís, and stop helping the Castilian rebels. However, once Muhammad paid the money, Alfonso broke his promise. He continued to support the Banu Ashqilula and pressured Muhammad to make peace with them.

Marinid Help Against Castile

Principal ports on the Strait of Gibraltar, which controlled passage between North Africa and Spain. Political control in 1292: Castile (red), Granada (purple), and the Marinids (green).

Feeling tricked by Alfonso, Muhammad II asked for help from the Marinid ruler, Abu Yusuf Yaqub. Abu Yusuf had wanted to fight the Christians in Spain for a long time. Now, he had control of most of Morocco and the power to do so.

In April 1275, Abu Yusuf sent an army to Spain. Three months later, his son, Abu Zayyan, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar and captured Tarifa. Soon after, the governor of Algeciras also gave his town to Abu Zayyan. The Marinids now had a base in Spain and began raiding Castilian lands. Muhammad II also attacked the Banu Ashqilula in Málaga, but he was pushed back.

In August 1275, Abu Yusuf himself crossed to Spain. He met with Muhammad II and the leader of the Banu Ashqilula. However, Muhammad II was offended because the Marinids treated him and his rebellious subjects, the Banu Ashqilula, as equals. He left the army after three days, though his forces stayed. In September 1275, the Muslim army won a big victory against Castile at the Battle of Ecija.

After a naval defeat, Abu Yusuf decided to return to Morocco. In late 1275 or early 1276, Abu Yusuf, Muhammad II, and Castile agreed to a two-year truce.

Abu Yusuf and the Marinids returned to Spain in June 1277. This time, they were joined by the Banu Ashqilula, but not Muhammad II at first. They defeated Castilian forces near Seville and captured several castles. Abu Yusuf then joined Muhammad II near Archidona. They captured a castle and raided towns around Córdoba. Eventually, Muhammad II and Abu Yusuf agreed to peace. Abu Yusuf returned to Morocco in May 1278. Although the Marinids won battles, they did not capture any major cities or permanently take Christian lands. However, they kept control of Tarifa and Algeciras, important ports on the Strait.

Clever Diplomacy and War

During Abu Yusuf's second expedition, the Banu Ashqilula gave Málaga to the Marinids because they feared they couldn't defend it from Granada. The Marinids took control of Málaga in February 1278. Muhammad II was worried about this, as it reminded him of earlier North African dynasties that had taken over Al-Andalus.

Muhammad II secretly encouraged another North African ruler to attack the Marinids in Morocco. He also encouraged Castile to attack the Marinids' base in Algeciras. Abu Yusuf, facing attacks on many fronts, pulled his forces out of Málaga and gave the city back to Muhammad II in January 1279. It's also said that Granada bribed the Marinid governor of Málaga. With Málaga back in his hands, Muhammad II then helped the Marinids defend Algeciras, and joint forces defeated the Castilian attackers in 1279.

However, these clever moves angered both the Marinids and Castile. In 1280, both powers, along with the Banu Ashqilula, attacked Muhammad II. The Marinids and Banu Ashqilula attacked Málaga, while Castile attacked from the north. The Castilian attack was stopped by Granada's "Volunteers of the Faith"—soldiers from North Africa who were loyal to Granada. In June 1280, Granadan troops ambushed a large Castilian force at Moclín. In June 1281, Castile invaded again, but after failed peace talks, they left Granada.

By the end of 1281, Muhammad II agreed to renew his loyalty to Castile. However, King Alfonso X accused his son Sancho of being disloyal. This caused a split between the king and his son, which weakened Castile's threat to Granada. Muhammad II then made an alliance with Sancho.

In 1284, Alfonso X died, and Sancho became king. Sancho was friendly towards Granada and pulled back Castilian troops. In 1286, Abu Yusuf died and his son, Abu Yaqub, became the new Marinid ruler. Abu Yaqub was busy with problems in Morocco, so he withdrew his forces from Spain. In 1288, Abu Yaqub offered the Banu Ashqilula land in North Africa. The entire clan accepted and left Granada, finally ending Muhammad's biggest internal problem.

The Tarifa Campaigns

Muhammad II helped Sancho IV take Tarifa from the Marinids, but the Castilian king then refused to give the town to Muhammad as promised.

The Marinids still held some outposts in Spain, including Tarifa, an important port. In 1290, Muhammad II made a deal with King Sancho of Castile. Castile would attack Tarifa, Granada would attack other Marinid areas, and another North African ruler would attack the Marinids in Africa. The agreement stated that Castile would give Tarifa to Granada in exchange for six border fortresses.

In October 1292, Castile, with help from Aragon's navy and supplies from Granada, captured Tarifa. Castile took the six fortresses from Granada as agreed, but King Sancho refused to give Tarifa to Muhammad II. Feeling cheated, Granada then switched sides and allied with the Marinids. Muhammad II traveled to North Africa and met Abu Ya'qub, asking for his friendship. Both rulers agreed to an alliance against Castile. In 1294, the Marinids and Granada unsuccessfully attacked Tarifa. The town would never be under Muslim control again. After this failure, the Marinids decided to leave Spain. Granada then retook its former outposts, including Algeciras and Ronda.

Final Years and Death

Quesada, captured by Muhammad in 1295, was one of Granada's territorial gains during his reign.

In 1295, King Sancho of Castile died, and his nine-year-old son, Ferdinand IV, became king. During Ferdinand's childhood, Castile was ruled by a regent. Muhammad II took advantage of this situation to attack Castile. In late 1295, he captured Quesada and defeated a Castilian army.

In 1296, Granada and Aragon made a friendship pact. They agreed to divide their goals: Aragon would take the region of Murcia, and Granada would take Andalusia. Later that year, Granadan forces defeated a Castilian army near Arjona. Muhammad II even showed chivalry by returning the captured horse of a Castilian prince.

The Marinids joined the war to support Granada and defeated Castile in a major battle in 1299. Castile again offered to give Tarifa to Granada in exchange for an alliance, but the town's commander refused to hand it over. The war continued, and Muhammad II captured more border fortresses, including Alcaudete in June 1299. He also raided Castilian cities like Jaén and Andújar.

In September 1301, Granada and Aragon renewed their alliance. They planned a new attack against Castile and agreed that Granada would regain Tarifa and acquire several frontier towns. This agreement was finalized in January 1302. However, before the campaign started, Muhammad II died on April 8, 1302. He was succeeded by his son, Muhammad III. There were rumors that Muhammad III might have poisoned his father, but this was never proven.

Governance and Legacy

A Nasrid-era watchtower in Huéscar. Muhammad II built many fortifications along the emirate's borders.

Muhammad II built upon the state his father had started. He continued to ensure Granada's independence by forming alliances with different powers, especially Castile and the Marinids. Sometimes, he even encouraged them to fight each other. During his rule, a strong sense of identity grew in Granada, based on their shared religion (Islam) and language (Arabic). They also felt united by the constant threat from their Christian neighbors.

Muhammad II was truly the organizer of the Nasrid state. He made many reforms to the government and the army. He created official royal procedures and a court office for documents. His reign also saw the growth of the "Volunteers of the Faith," soldiers from North Africa who defended Granada against the Christians. Many of these soldiers were exiles from the Marinid state. They were paid by the government and became Granada's most important military force, numbering 10,000 by the end of Muhammad's rule.

During his reign, Muhammad II steadily transformed the Alhambra from being mostly a fortress into a royal palace complex.

Muhammad II made his kingdom stronger by gaining several strongholds, including Quesada and Alcaudete. Although he lost Tarifa to Castile forever, he successfully defended against Marinid attacks and took their holdings in Spain.

He started a large project to build defenses for the kingdom. He constructed many strong, well-supplied fortresses in important locations along the borders. These forts became the main defense line for Granada for centuries. He even helped build the moat at Alcaudete with his own hands. These new fortifications also helped the king's power, as they were controlled by military governors appointed by the court, not by local lords.

Muhammad II also made the role of the vizier (top advisor) more important in the Nasrid government. He had only one vizier during his long reign, Abu Sultan Aziz, who became his trusted ally.

He also expanded the famous Alhambra palace and fortress complex. His father had started building it as a fortress, but Muhammad II began turning it into a royal residence. He built new palace buildings and bathhouses. He also built the Tower of the Ladies and the Tower of the Points.

Muhammad II also worked to increase trade with Christian Europe, especially with Italian traders from Genoa and Pisa. In 1279, he made a treaty with Genoa, allowing them to trade Granadan goods with low fees and set up a trading post. In return, Genoa would provide ships to Granada if needed.

Muhammad II was known as al-Faqih, meaning "the wise" or "the canon-lawyer." This nickname shows his high education and his love for being surrounded by scholars and poets. Like King Alfonso X of Castile, Muhammad II wrote poetry and encouraged cultural activities at his court. He tried to attract learned Muslim scholars and scientists to Granada, even those who were offered money to stay in Christian lands. This nickname highlights his focus on knowledge, faith, justice, and law.

See also

In Spanish: Muhammad II de Granada para niños