8th century – 10th century
Tripoli, eastern and central Maghrib
The Ibadi kingdoms of the Maghrib emerged from clandestine organization and revolt during the eighth century. Their influence began around Tripoli, a strategic point between Kayrawan and the eastern caliphate, but repeated divisions and military defeats prevented durable rule there. Ibadi forces nevertheless seized Tripoli and Kayrawan at different moments, while the Rustumid state at Tiaret became the only long-lasting Ibadi polity. The movement survived repression through clandestinity, secrecy, and tactical dissimulation.
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The Story
Ibadi influence in the Maghrib initially centred on Tripoli, whose position made it important for communications between East and West. The need to defend this corridor limited the prospects of an openly recognized Ibadi kingdom, and the movement first adopted a cautious stance. Its theology permitted clandestinity and secrecy, allowing the community to organize while waiting for a favourable political moment.
That moment came in 745, after the Ibadi leader of Tripoli, Abd Allah b. Masud al-Tudjibi, was executed by Abd al-Rahman b. Habib. The execution triggered open insurrection. Abd al-Djabbar b. Kays al-Muradi and al-Harith b. Talid al-Hadrami won a series of victories and took control of Tripoli, but their rivalry ended when they were found dead, each killed by the other’s sword.
Ibadi power returned in 754 under Abu al-Khattab, who seized Tripoli and advanced toward Kayrawan. He entered the city in 758 and appointed Abd al-Rahman b. Rustum as governor. A later Ibadi siege reduced Kayrawan’s inhabitants to eating cats and dogs, and the city fell again in 772, although Yazid b. Hatim al-Muhallabi ended the eastern Maghrib Ibadis’ attempts to seize power that same year.
Military defeat did not destroy Ibadism. After Abd al-Rahman b. Habib’s repression in Tripoli, the movement returned to clandestinity through kuud, kitman, and taqiyya. Its most successful political expression was the Rustumid state of Tiaret, which survived from 761 to 910 and maintained a wider network of Ibadi allegiance than its limited territorial structure might suggest.
8th century – 10th century
Tripoli, eastern and central Maghrib
The Ibadi kingdoms of the Maghrib emerged from clandestine organization and revolt during the eighth century. Their influence began around Tripoli, a strategic point between Kayrawan and the eastern caliphate, but repeated divisions and military defeats prevented durable rule there. Ibadi forces nevertheless seized Tripoli and Kayrawan at different moments, while the Rustumid state at Tiaret became the only long-lasting Ibadi polity. The movement survived repression through clandestinity, secrecy, and tactical dissimulation.
Continue exploring
The Story
Ibadi influence in the Maghrib initially centred on Tripoli, whose position made it important for communications between East and West. The need to defend this corridor limited the prospects of an openly recognized Ibadi kingdom, and the movement first adopted a cautious stance. Its theology permitted clandestinity and secrecy, allowing the community to organize while waiting for a favourable political moment.
That moment came in 745, after the Ibadi leader of Tripoli, Abd Allah b. Masud al-Tudjibi, was executed by Abd al-Rahman b. Habib. The execution triggered open insurrection. Abd al-Djabbar b. Kays al-Muradi and al-Harith b. Talid al-Hadrami won a series of victories and took control of Tripoli, but their rivalry ended when they were found dead, each killed by the other’s sword.
Ibadi power returned in 754 under Abu al-Khattab, who seized Tripoli and advanced toward Kayrawan. He entered the city in 758 and appointed Abd al-Rahman b. Rustum as governor. A later Ibadi siege reduced Kayrawan’s inhabitants to eating cats and dogs, and the city fell again in 772, although Yazid b. Hatim al-Muhallabi ended the eastern Maghrib Ibadis’ attempts to seize power that same year.
Military defeat did not destroy Ibadism. After Abd al-Rahman b. Habib’s repression in Tripoli, the movement returned to clandestinity through kuud, kitman, and taqiyya. Its most successful political expression was the Rustumid state of Tiaret, which survived from 761 to 910 and maintained a wider network of Ibadi allegiance than its limited territorial structure might suggest.
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