Murīdūn facts for kids

The Murīdūn were a group of people who followed a special kind of Islamic teaching called Sufism in a place called al-Andalus (which is now mostly Spain and Portugal). They started a rebellion against the rulers, the Almoravid dynasty, in 1141. From 1144 to 1151, they even had their own small kingdom, or taifa, based in the city of Mértola.

The Leader and His Followers

The person who started and led the Murīdūn was named Abūʾl-Qāsim Aḥmad ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn Qasī. He was originally from the city of Silves and had converted to Islam from Christianity.

One of his important followers was Muḥammad ibn ʿUmar ibn al-Mundhir. He was connected to a respected Sufi teacher named Ibn al-ʿArīf from Almería.

Why the Rebellion Started

In 1141, the Almoravid rulers were worried about the growing influence of Sufi teachers in Almería. They arrested Ibn al-ʿArīf and his friend Ibn Barrajān. Ibn Barrajān died in prison, and Ibn al-ʿArīf also died suddenly. Many believed he was poisoned.

The sudden deaths of these Sufi leaders, likely caused by the authorities, made Ibn Qasī decide to act. He declared himself the imam (a religious and political leader) and led his followers, the Murīdūn, in an open revolt.

The Rebellion Begins

Early in the rebellion, Ibn al-Mundhir took control of the city of Silves. Also, Sīdray ibn Wazīr, who was the governor of Beja, joined the rebels.

Working together, Ibn al-Mundhir and Ibn Wazīr captured the fort of Monchique. They defeated the Almoravid soldiers there. The most important moment of their rebellion happened on August 12, 1144. On that day, about seventy Murīdūn fighters captured the town of Mértola. Ibn Qasī then made Mértola their capital city. Soon after, Yūsuf ibn Aḥmad al-Biṭrūjī, the governor of Niebla, also joined the rebels.

Expanding Their Control

With control over Silves, Mértola, Beja, and Niebla, the Murīdūn felt strong. They decided to march towards Seville, a major city. However, they were defeated by the Almoravid general Yaḥyā ibn ʿAlī ibn Ghānīya.

The Almoravid rulers couldn't continue their attack because another rebellion started in Córdoba led by Ibn Ḥamdīn. But the Murīdūn movement had already split. Ibn Qasī and Ibn al-Mundhir were on one side, and Ibn Wazīr was on the other.

The End of the Murīdūn

In September 1145, Ibn Qasī traveled to Marrakesh. He went there to ask for help from the Almohad Caliph, who was a strong enemy of the Almoravids.

Ibn Qasī returned to the Algarve region in the summer of 1146 with Almohad support. However, he didn't want the Murīdūn to be controlled by the Almohads. To escape his powerful allies, he secretly arranged to hand over Silves to the Christians. This made the people of Silves very angry. They assassinated him in his palace in August or September 1151. After his death, Ibn al-Mundhir gave in and placed Silves under Almohad control.

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See also

In Spanish: Murīdūn para niños