Ghazwiyya ibn Yusuf

Ghazwiyya ibn Yusuf
غزوية بن يوسف
Office
Fatimid Da'i
(893–909)
Commander of the Fatimid army
(893–915)
Head of Security
(909–915)
Governor of kutama and Baghai and Beja
(911–915)
ChildrenMuhammad
FatherYusuf al-Kutami
Relatives
  • Hubasa ibn yusuf (brother)
Military service
AllegianceFatimid Caliphate
Branch/serviceFatimid army
RankGeneral
Battles/wars

Ghazwiyya ibn Yusuf (Arabic: غزوية بن يوسف) or Aruba bin Yusuf,[1] also known as Ghazwiyya ibn Yusuf al-Malusi al-Kutami, was a military commander, governor, and a Fatimid Da‘i from the Kutama tribe.[2] He was among the founding leaders of the Fatimid army, and was instrumental in the establishment of the early Fatimid Caliphate in Ikjan and Tazrut.[2] He governed the province of Beja, Baghai and Kutama,[3][4] led multiple campaigns during the Fatimid conquests of Ifriqiya, Tahert, and Tripoli,[5] contributed to the consolidation and establishment of the caliphate. Ghazwiyya served as chief of security for Caliph Ubayd Allah, being among his most trusted associates.[6]

Origins

Main article: Kutama

Ghazwiyya bin Yusuf, also known as Ghazwiyya bin Yusuf al-Malusi, is considered one of the founding leaders of the Fatimid State. He was surnamed "al-Malusi" in reference to the clan of "Malusa," which is one of the largest branches of the Kutama Berber tribe that inhabited the fortified highlands of eastern Algeria.[7]

According to the genealogical authentication of the scholar Ibn Khaldun, the Malusa descend from the Banu Titasen bin Gharsan, sharing common ancestry with the clans of Iyan, Lataya, Ijjana, Ghasman, and Aurbast; among them are the "Banu Zidwi" who inhabited the mountains overlooking Constantine.[8]

The geographical sphere of influence for the Malusa and its sub-tribes extends from Mount Zouaghi in Constantine, passing through the cities of Mila and Setif, and reaching as far as Jijel. Historically, they were concentrated in the peaks of the Tell Atlas in Sidi Mimoun and Babor.[7] These regions formed the military strike force and the strategic launching point for Ghazwiya's movements toward Ikjan and Tazrut, leading to their conquests in Ifriqiya.[1]

Ismaili Dawah (893–909)

Ghazwiya bin Yusuf is considered one of the earliest believers in the Isma'ili Dawah and among its most prominent spreaders. Following its inception in the land of Kutama, the Fatimid missionaries and leaders faced fierce opposition from alliances of other Kutama branches, including Ajana, Lataya, and the inhabitants of Mila and Setif. These groups allied with the Aghlabid governors loyal to the Abbasids against the Fatimids, forming a massive army led by the commander of Masalta, Fath bin Yahya.[9] As they besieged the Fatimid capital, Tazrut,[10][11] Ghazwiya along with the Da'is and Mashayikh hid Abu Abd Allah in a secure location under heavy guard. During the first day of the siege, no Fatimid soldiers were harmed, while one of the enemy's horsemen was killed. In the battle that ensued the following day, the casualties were far more severe for the opponents; many were killed, while the Awliya remained safe.[9]

On the third day, the fighting intensified, and Ghazwiyya's bravery became evident. He fought valiantly among the infantry and sustained a wound so severe it caused him to lose his voice.[9] Ultimately, the Fatimids achieved a complete victory. The Allies forces scattered; some retreated to Mila, while the tribes returned to their respective territories.[9] On the fourth day, Ghazwiyya and Abu Abd Allah launched an attack on the troops of Setif and the neighboring Kutama clans, defeating them. The following day, they struck the soldiers of Mazata, inflicting a crushing defeat and seizing all their wealth. These Fatimid conquests led to a massive influx of the Kutama people towards the state to pledge their allegiance and join its ranks.[9]

Fatimid conquest of Ifriqiya (902–909)

Main article: Fatimid conquest of Ifriqiya

Battle of Fahs al-Riyah

Main article: Battle of Fahs al-Riyah

Following the fall of the capital, Tazrut, into the hands of the Aghlabids, the Fatimids relocated their capital to Ikjan in October 902.[12][13] The conflict between the Abbasids and the Fatimids intensified; and in 906, the Aghlabid Emir, Ziyadat Allah, dispatched an army of 12,000 troops led by Harun al-Tobni to defend the city of Baghai.[12] This force was subsequently reinforced by local levies. Ghazwiya set out with a force of 1,000 Kutama cavalry and intercepted them at Fahs al-Riyah in the Aures Mountains. A battle ensued, resulting in a crushing victory for Ghazwiyya, who annihilated the majority of the Aghlabid army and slew their commander, Harun al-Tobni.[14]

Siege of Kasserine

During the Fatimid conquests eastward advance toward Raqqada, they invaded Kasserine, where a battle broke out. Failing to seize control, the Fatimids withdrew to Ikjan. Consequently, Aghlabids returned to Al-Urbus, where he was joined by the tribes of Banu Washnu and Banu Sadghiyan (of the Banu Harash), who had previously pledged allegiance to the Fatimids.[15] Upon receiving this news, a Fatimid army led by Ghazwiya bin Yusuf and Abu Makdul set out. They advanced stealthily with their troops until they reached Qasr al-Ifriqi, which they found deserted.[15] They proceeded to Tabarashq and spent the night there. The Banu Washnu were nearby, so the Fatimid army lay in ambush without lighting any fires. At dawn, they launched a surprise attack, inflicting heavy casualties, before withdrawing to Guelma.[15][16]

Capture of Qastiliya and Gafsa

The Fatimids altered their invasion strategy, opting to advance from the south to avoid direct confrontation with the Aghlabids following previous setbacks and the illness of Abu Abd Allah. In 908, the Fatimid army departed from Ikjan toward Qastiliya.[9] Despite facing resistance, they succeeded in seizing control, and the Fatimid army looted the city. They then proceeded directly toward Gafsa, whose inhabitants surrendered to the Fatimids, who subsequently collected the tax harvests (Jibaya).[9] Afterward, they marched to Baghai, where Ghazwiyya bin Yusuf was appointed over it, accompanied by Abu Makdul and 500 cavalry of Malusa . The remainder of the army then returned to Ikjan with Abu Abd Allah.[17]

Siege of Baghai

Exploiting the small Fatimid garrison at Baghai, the Aghlabid army marched from Al-Urbus to reclaim the city. Abu Makdul requested reinforcements, prompting the Kutama specifically Banu Saktan to mobilize 12,000 cavalry.[9] And through the tactical expertise of Ghazwiyya bin Yusuf and Abu Makdul, and with the support of local cavalry, the city successfully withstood the Aghlabid assault from first day to the last day.[9]

Capture of Kairouan

Upon the news of Ziyadat's flight from Kairouan reaching the Fatimids, a military force consisting of 1,000 cavalrymen was dispatched under the command of Ghazwiyya ibn Yusuf.[2] Accompanying him was one of the preeminent missionaries, al-Hasan ibn Abi Khinzir, the chieftain of Mila. In an effort to pacify the people of Ifriqiya and grant them safe conduct, the Fatimid Shi'ite army entered Kairouan peacefully, and the Fatimids officially took control of Raqqada.[9] Ghazwiyya and Al-Hasan a deliberately kept the Kutama soldiers outside and prohibited them from looting the site, ensuring that no terror was spread among the city's inhabitants.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Chikhi, Radhouane (2018-09-27). Iftitāḥ al-Da'wa by al-Qāḍī al-Nu'mān, Edited by Farhat Dachraoui. Tunisian Distribution Company. p. 107.
  2. ^ a b c d Halm, Heinz (2021-12-06). The Empire of the Mahdi: The Rise of the Fatimids. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-49265-3.
  3. ^ Brett (2021-10-01). The Rise of the Fatimids: The World of the Mediterranean and the Middle East in the Fourth Century of the Hijra, Tenth Century CE. BRILL. p. 140. ISBN 978-90-04-47337-9.
  4. ^ Najeebabadi, Akbar Shah (2001). History of Islam (Vol 3). Darussalam. p. 242. ISBN 978-9960-892-93-1.
  5. ^ O'Leary, De Lacy (2013-08-21). A Short History of the Fatimid Khalifate. Routledge. p. 76. ISBN 978-1-136-37545-3.
  6. ^ Kidas, Yamina (2016). The Political and Scientific Role of Jurists during the Fatimid Caliphate in the Islamic Maghreb (297–361 AH / 910–972 AD) (Master’s Thesis, Higher School of Teachers – University of Bouzaréah) (in Arabic). p. 328.
  7. ^ a b Laporte, J.-P. (2005-08-01). "Ketama, Kutama". Encyclopédie berbère (in French) (27): 4179–4187. doi:10.4000/encyclopedieberbere.1346. ISSN 1015-7344.
  8. ^ Ibn Khaldun (2016-01-01). The History of Ibn Khaldun (Volumes 1-7), "Kitab al-Ibar wa-Diwan al-Mubtada' wa-l-Khabar" (in Arabic). Dar Al Kotob Al Ilmiyah. p. 159.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Al-Dashrawi, Farhat (2018-06-30). The Fatimid Caliphate in the Maghreb, 296–365 AH / 909–975 CE (in Arabic). Dar al-Gharb al-Islami.
  10. ^ Cortese, Delia (2025-07-06). The Fatimids: Portrait of a Dynasty. Reaktion Books. p. 155. ISBN 978-1-83639-018-3.
  11. ^ Badar, Mohamed; Nagata, Masaki (2017). "Modern Extremist Groups and the Division of the World: A Critique from an Islamic Perspective". Arab Law Quarterly. 31 (4): 305–335. ISSN 0268-0556.
  12. ^ a b Taqqush, Muhammad Suhayl (2007). History of the Fatimids in North Africa, Egypt, and the Levant (in Arabic). Dar al-Nafaiis. ISBN 978-9953-18-100-4.
  13. ^ Nanji, Azim (1990). "Between Metaphor and Context: The Nature of the Fāṭimid Ismāʿīlī Discourse on Justice and Injustice". Arabica. 37 (2): 234–239. ISSN 0570-5398.
  14. ^ Najib, Zainab (1993). The Shia State in the Maghreb (in Arabic). Dar al-Amir for Culture and Science. p. 230.
  15. ^ a b c Ibn Muhammad, Abu Hanifah Nuʻman; Haji, Hamid (2006-07-25). Founding the Fatimid State: The Rise of an Early Islamic Empire. Tauris. pp. 160–161. ISBN 978-1-85043-885-4.
  16. ^ Al-Hasan, Idris ibn; Qurashi, Idris Imad al-Din (1985). History of the Fatimid Caliphs in the Maghreb: The Specific Section from the Book 'Uyun al-Akhbar (in Arabic). Dar al-Gharb al-Islami. p. 128.
  17. ^ Aidrous, Muhammad Hassan (2011). The Maghreb and the Fatimid Dynasty Rule: Historical Documentary Texts (in Arabic). Dar al-Kitab al-Hadith. p. 165.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.