The Last Caliphs of the Umayyad Dynasty in Al-Andalus
The Umayyad Dynasty
The Umayyad dynasty originally emerged from the Sufyan branch, with its first caliph being Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan and the last of this line being Muawiya ibn Yazid. A total of three caliphs ruled from this branch before power shifted to the Marwanid branch of the Umayyads, beginning with Marwan ibn al-Hakam and concluding with Marwan ibn Muhammad. In total, there were fourteen caliphs from the Umayyad dynasty who reigned in the Levant.
The Umayyads later relocated to Al-Andalus, where they established the Umayyad Caliphate under Abd al-Rahman al-Dakhil, a descendant of Muawiya ibn Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, who earned the title “The Falcon of Quraysh.” Fifteen caliphs succeeded him, with the last being al-Mu’tad billah, Hisham ibn Muhammad ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Nasir. His death marked the end of the Umayyad dynasty in Al-Andalus.
Last Caliph of the Umayyad Dynasty in Al-Andalus
The last king of the Umayyads in Al-Andalus was Hisham ibn Muhammad ibn Abd al-Malik ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Nasir, also known as Abu Bakr. He governed from a fortress named Al-Bont, located in the outskirts of Córdoba. Hisham ascended to power following the death of Caliph al-Mustakfi billah.
During his reign, Hisham struggled to quell the various uprisings and revolts that plagued the region. He eventually entered the city of Córdoba but faced rebellion from a faction of soldiers who deposed him. They forcibly removed him from the palace where he resided with his wives and attendants. Seeking refuge, Hisham retreated to the Great Mosque of Córdoba, where he and his supporters stayed for several days, receiving food and drink from the community.
Ultimately, he was expelled from Córdoba and fled to the border fortifications of the city. He joined forces with Ibn Hud, the governor of the nearby regions, which included the cities of Toledo, Zaragoza, Lérida, and Tortosa. Hisham remained with him for a period before passing away in the vicinity of Lérida, marking the conclusion of the Umayyad dynasty in Al-Andalus.
Factors Leading to the Fall of the Umayyad Dynasty in Al-Andalus During the Reign of Its Last Caliph
The decline of the Umayyad state in Al-Andalus can be attributed to several factors. The influx of wealth due to trade led to a sense of complacency among the populace. The arrival of Ziryab, who had been expelled by his teacher from Baghdad and who later found a following in Al-Andalus, introduced a cultural shift that captivated the public. His influence in the introduction of Andalusian muwashshahat diverted attention from religious and scholarly pursuits.
Additionally, there emerged figures who covertly opposed Islamic principles, and the consequent wealth from numerous conquests contributed to corruption. The rise of tribal and nationalist sentiments caused further divisions, while some governors exhibited cruelty towards their subjects. A decline in jihad in the name of God, along with the emergence of various rebellions in Al-Andalus, culminated in numerous attempts at independence from the central authority.