Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil
Abd al-Rahman ibn Muawiya, known as Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil, ruled al-Andalus from 756 to 788 CE. He is recognized as the first Umayyad leader to enter al-Andalus, earning him the title “al-Dakhil,” which means “the one who entered.” Throughout his reign, he was referred to by several honorifics, including Imam, Ibn al-Khalifah, Sultan of al-Andalus, Falcon of Quraysh, and Falcon of the Umayyads. He was also known as the generous prince and the mighty king. Additionally, he was often called “the First,” indicating that he was the initial ruler among the Umayyad leaders in al-Andalus to bear the name Abd al-Rahman.
Hisham al-Rida
Hisham ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil ruled al-Andalus from 788 to 799 CE. He was distinguished by the title Hisham al-Rida, which translates to “Hisham the Content.” This title was awarded due to his just and virtuous leadership, making him unique as no other Umayyad ruler received a similar designation.
Hakam ibn Hisham
Hakam ibn Hisham ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil ruled from 796 to 822 CE. He was commonly known as al-Rabdi, a title that he earned later in his reign due to his confrontation with the residents of al-Rabd, who opposed him in an attempt to depose him from power in 818 CE.
Abd al-Rahman ibn Hakam
Abd al-Rahman ibn Hakam ibn Hisham governed al-Andalus from 822 to 852 CE. Officially known as Abd al-Rahman al-Awsat, he was colloquially referred to as Abu al-Gharaniq among the populace, a title that reflected his passion for hunting herons.
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn Hakam ruled from 852 to 886 CE. He was primarily recognized by the title al-Amin, without any additional epithets. His reign lasted approximately thirty-four years, making him one of the longest-serving Umayyad leaders in al-Andalus.
Al-Mundhir ibn Muhammad
Al-Mundhir ibn Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman ruled al-Andalus for a brief period from 886 to 888 CE. Despite his reign lasting only two years, he effectively managed the state’s affairs during a time of rising tensions and disturbances that had begun in his father Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman’s era.
Abdullah ibn Muhammad
Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman governed from 888 to 912 CE. Despite a rule spanning fourteen years, he faced challenges from Christian kingdoms threatening al-Andalus due to internal revolts and turmoil within the emirates.
Abd al-Rahman al-Nasir
Abd al-Rahman al-Nasir li-Din Allah ruled al-Andalus from 912 to 961 CE. He was also known as “Abd al-Rahman the Defender of the Faith,” and he faced off against the Christian kingdoms to the north. His military successes included defeating the kingdoms of León and Navarre, while other Christian states established treaties with him, including diplomatic relations with Byzantium. His legacy includes remarkable architectural contributions to Córdoba and Medina Azahara.
He was elected caliph to succeed his grandfather and is noted for transforming the Umayyad emirate of al-Andalus into a caliphate, thereby becoming the first Umayyad caliph in the region.
Hakam al-Mustansir bi-Llah
Hakam al-Mustansir bi-Llah, son of Abd al-Rahman al-Nasir, ruled al-Andalus from 961 to 976 CE. He ascended to the throne under his father’s guidance and ruled until his death. His reign was characterized by stability in al-Andalus and marked advancements in science, culture, and architecture.
Hisham al-Mu’ayyad bi-Llah
Hisham al-Mu’ayyad bi-Llah, son of Hakam al-Mustansir, governed from 976 to 1009 CE. Following his father’s death, he took the throne during a tumultuous period marked by political instability, which saw Muhammad al-Mahdi bi-Llah revolt against him, imprisoning him for a year until al-Mahdi’s assassination allowed him to return to power.
Muhammad al-Mahdi bi-Llah
Muhammad al-Mahdi bi-Llah ruled in 1008-1009 CE after overthrowing Hisham al-Mu’ayyad bi-Llah and imprisoning him. However, his brief rule ended with his assassination. Though short-lived, his tenure generated significant unrest in al-Andalus, causing substantial damage to the military and political structures of the nation.
Sulaiman al-Musta’in bi-Llah
Sulaiman al-Musta’in bi-Llah ruled during the periods of 1009-1010 and 1013-1016 CE. Initially supported and proclaimed caliph by the Berbers, he lost authority when Hisham al-Mu’ayyad launched a coup against him between 1010 and 1013 CE. Following his return to power, he too faced assassination.
Abd al-Rahman al-Murtada bi-Llah
Abd al-Rahman al-Murtada bi-Llah held the position of Umayyad caliph in al-Andalus from 1017 to 1018 CE. He succeeded Ali ibn Hamud, a Berber who had seized control of the caliphate in al-Andalus from the Umayyads between 1016 and 1017 CE by capturing the caliphal palace in Córdoba and eliminating caliph Sulaiman al-Musta’in bi-Llah.
Abd al-Rahman al-Mustazhir bi-Llah
Prior to Abd al-Rahman al-Mustazhir bi-Llah’s ascent, Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hamud forcibly seized the caliphate from his father for a year from 1021 to 1022 CE before the elder Hamud reclaimed it until 1023 CE, when he was ousted by the citizens of Córdoba. Abd al-Rahman al-Mustazhir bi-Llah ruled from 1023 to 1024 CE, acquiring the caliphate through force and intimidation, only to be killed by the citizens of Córdoba shortly thereafter.
Muhammad al-Mustakfi bi-Llah
Muhammad al-Mustakfi bi-Llah served as Umayyad caliph from 1024 to 1025 CE and was appointed by the people of Córdoba following the assassination of al-Mustazhir bi-Llah. However, his rule was challenged by the resurgence of Yahya ibn Ali ibn Hamud, who, despite not being an Umayyad, regained the caliphate through force from 1025 to 1026 CE. Muhammad’s leadership ended with his removal by the citizens of Córdoba.
Hisham al-Mu’tamid bi-Llah
Hisham al-Mu’tamid bi-Llah is considered the last Umayyad caliph in al-Andalus, marking the end of the Umayyad dynasty. He reigned from 1026 to 1031 CE, having been elected by the citizens of Córdoba following the execution of Muhammad al-Mustakfi. Hisham’s rule concluded when he was deposed and exiled, along with all Umayyads, from Córdoba.