History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

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84 The History of Islam
Assessment of Hisham's life
Abdur Rahman had spent 80 thousand dinars on the foundation of the
Cordova Mosque, while Sultan Hisham expended one hundred and
sixty thousand dinars for the construction and completion of the
mosque. Hisham would, like his father, wear white but very Simple
cheap garments. He was fond of hunting but not at the cost of the
state's administration and his religious duties. He had abandoned all
this during his last days. I-Jte always kept his court open for the poor
and the needy and they
could find access to him without any
hindrance. He sacrificed evten his rest and sleep for the peace and
welfare of his people and felt pleasure and satisfaction in patrolling
the streets and lanes of the city to be acquainted with the problems and
sufferings of his subjects. What was charged as a fine from offenders
was spent on public welfare instead of being placed in the public
treasury. If any of the Muslims were taken captive by the Christians,
they were liberated by paying their ransom from the public treasury.
During the period of Sultan Hisham, rich people of Cordova built
beautiful and magnificent buildings,
city.
which added to the beauty of the
Although academic centers and assemblies were strong during the
tenure of Abdur Rahman, Sultan Hisham further promoted learning by
dedarii^ Arabic compulsory in aU Madrasas. The result was that the
Christians of Spain learned Arabic and became able to learn the Qur'an
and Islam directly and they accepted Islam in large numbers. Now the
Muslims were no longer a terror to them, they became so close that the
Muslims began to marry Christian women. And the Christians chose to
dress like the Muslims. In habits, traits and style of life Sultan Hisham
resembled Umar bin Abdul Aziz to a great extent. The entire population
of Spain addressed him as "Sultan, The Just"
Sultan Hisham was more pious and religious-minded than his father,
Abdur Rahman. While Abdur Rahman's court was dominated by
religious and spiritual men, Muslim jurists and scholars grew in
power and influence during the reign of Sultan Hisham.
It was during his reign that the four different schools of Muslim jurists
were brought into practice. Imam Malik bin Anas was very famous in