8th century – 8th century
Ifriqiya, centred on Kairouan and Tunis
The first independent state in Ifriqiya emerged under Abd al-Rahman b. Habib after he expelled the governor Hanzala b. Safwan from Kairouan. With support from the Ifriqiyan army, Abd al-Rahman established an Arab-led Sunni polity that sought practical independence while formally recognizing the Abbasid caliph. Conflict over taxation, slaves, and political authority led to its collapse after his assassination.
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The Story
The Battle of the Nobles and the humiliation inflicted by eastern Arab reinforcements contributed to the growth of a local consciousness among Arabs born in the Maghrib. Abd al-Rahman b. Habib embodied this Ifriqiyan dignity in opposition to Baldj and later expelled Hanzala b. Safwan from Kairouan. He had prepared his plot in Spain and reached Tunis, where the Ifriqiyan army raised him to power.
The resulting state lasted from 744 to 754. Its leadership was Arab and its doctrine Sunni, while its political position was defined by an attempt to reconcile local independence with the spiritual unity of the Muslim community. Abd al-Rahman accepted the bay'a to the Abbasid caliph, seeking formal recognition of an independence that already existed in practice.
The arrangement broke down when Caliph al-Mansur demanded a return to earlier fiscal regulations and the traditional supply of slaves. Abd al-Rahman rejected financial demands, arguing that Ifriqiya had become entirely Muslim and could no longer be treated in the same way. His assassination followed soon afterward, and the independent state collapsed into anarchy, creating an opening for Ibadi Kharijite attempts to gain influence.
8th century – 8th century
Ifriqiya, centred on Kairouan and Tunis
The first independent state in Ifriqiya emerged under Abd al-Rahman b. Habib after he expelled the governor Hanzala b. Safwan from Kairouan. With support from the Ifriqiyan army, Abd al-Rahman established an Arab-led Sunni polity that sought practical independence while formally recognizing the Abbasid caliph. Conflict over taxation, slaves, and political authority led to its collapse after his assassination.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Battle of the Nobles and the humiliation inflicted by eastern Arab reinforcements contributed to the growth of a local consciousness among Arabs born in the Maghrib. Abd al-Rahman b. Habib embodied this Ifriqiyan dignity in opposition to Baldj and later expelled Hanzala b. Safwan from Kairouan. He had prepared his plot in Spain and reached Tunis, where the Ifriqiyan army raised him to power.
The resulting state lasted from 744 to 754. Its leadership was Arab and its doctrine Sunni, while its political position was defined by an attempt to reconcile local independence with the spiritual unity of the Muslim community. Abd al-Rahman accepted the bay'a to the Abbasid caliph, seeking formal recognition of an independence that already existed in practice.
The arrangement broke down when Caliph al-Mansur demanded a return to earlier fiscal regulations and the traditional supply of slaves. Abd al-Rahman rejected financial demands, arguing that Ifriqiya had become entirely Muslim and could no longer be treated in the same way. His assassination followed soon afterward, and the independent state collapsed into anarchy, creating an opening for Ibadi Kharijite attempts to gain influence.
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