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History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

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Abdur Rahman III<br />

127<br />

right. Since the Fatimids <strong>of</strong> Northern Africa were tom <strong>by</strong> internal strife,<br />

they posed no danger to Cordova. Spain was now safe because Morocco<br />

also came under the occupation <strong>of</strong> Sultan Abdur Rahman III.<br />

The Governor <strong>of</strong> Saragossa (Sarcat) revolts<br />

Internal feuds <strong>of</strong> the Christian powers came to an end in 322 A.H. The<br />

Christians then had Muhammad bin Hisham as the Governor <strong>of</strong><br />

Saragossa rise against the central rule and promised him all their help.<br />

Now the whole territory from Barcelona to Galicia rose up against<br />

Sultan Abdur Rahman III. The annexation <strong>of</strong> Morocco had infuriated the<br />

Christians and so they decided to break the back <strong>of</strong> Abdur Rahman <strong>by</strong><br />

setting the Governor <strong>of</strong> Saragossa against the Muslim ruler.<br />

Abdur Rahman turned to the north to chastise the Governor and found<br />

the Christians ready to take him on. He won a derisive victory and<br />

arrested Muhammad bin Hisham while the Christian forces fled to their<br />

respective territories. Abdur Rahman singled out each <strong>of</strong> them and<br />

made them the target <strong>of</strong> his attack and made each <strong>of</strong> them to submit.<br />

Sultan Abdur Rahman returned to Cordova after serving a warning to<br />

the Christians, punishing Muhammad bin Hisham thoroughly and<br />

appointing Urnayyah bin Ishaq as the governor <strong>of</strong> Saragossa.<br />

Battle <strong>of</strong> Trenches<br />

In 327 A.H. a brother <strong>of</strong> Urnayyah bin Ishaq was charged with<br />

hatching a plot and the Sultan put him to death. Urnayyah bin Ishaq<br />

was shocked and distressed at this action. The Christian powers<br />

extended their sympathy to Urnayyah and set him against the Sultan.<br />

The Christian king Ramiro was very clever and experienced.<br />

Urnayyah revolted and shifted to Galicia with as much treasure and<br />

force as he could take away with him. Forces from other Christian<br />

States rushed to join him. This was in fact the greatest demonstration<br />

<strong>of</strong> Christian might in Spain, which was joined <strong>by</strong> a Muslim governor<br />

with all the power at his command. Besides, he gave some secret<br />

information and significant advice. The presence <strong>of</strong> Urnayyah bin<br />

Ishaq was very encouraging. On hearing this new development,<br />

Sultan Abdur Rahman III declared jihad with the result that people in<br />

large numbers joined his camp.

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