History of Islam Vol 3 of 3 by Akbar Shah Najeebabadi

The Spainish Caliphs 99
died before Ali bin Nafe reached Spain. When Sultan Abdur Rahman
became aware of the standing
II invitation, he issued orders to all his
Governors to accord a fitting ovation to the visiting guest of honor
and present him slaves, horses and precious gifts. Thus, the well
renown scholar and musician arrived in Cordova and became close to
the Sultan.
Reforms in Mode of Life
Ali bin Nafe brought about many strange reforms in the life style and
mode of living which gained wide popularity very quickly. With his
efforts, water pipes were set up all over Cordova and then in other
cities of Spam. He also originated many sumptuous foods and
fashionable
not only in
garments. His inventions and creations became popular
Spain but found popularity with the Europeans as well.
Eating with a knife and fork is one of his inventions and the
Europeans learned
it from the Muslims of Spain. Even though Ali bin
Nafe was very close to the Sultan, he never interfered in political
affairs. He kept his attention exclusively focused, on reforms in the
mode of living. Due to this position, he had no one oppose him. The
people of Spain learned from him not
only the ways and modes of
living but music too. In other words, Ali bin Nafe made an all out
effort
to change the martial life of the Muslims of Spain into pleasureloving
Muslims fond of a luxurious life.
Progress of Malkite School of thought in Spain
It has already been mentioned that Qadi Yahya bin Yahya Maliki had
launched a very serious revolt in Cordova during the rule of Hakam.
As a result of which one-fifth of the southern locality had become
^der populated because twenty to twenty five thousand people were
exiled from Spain. Later the Qadi joined the courtiers and advisers of
Sultan Hakam. Following the accession of Sultan Abdur Rahman II he
had been so close to him that he once offered him the post of Chief
Justice but the latter refused to accept it, with the result that he was
considered higher than the Chief Justice. The people of Spain were
immensely devoted to him and he had the last word on religious
matters. The Qadi had penned a large number of books and had the