Causes of the Saadian State Formation
Several factors contributed to the establishment of the Saadian state, among which are the following:
Nobility of Their Ancestry Linked to the House of Ali
The noble lineage of the Saadians, tracing back to the family of the Prophet Muhammad, significantly elevated their status in the eyes of the Moroccan populace. This esteemed position enabled them to garner the support of the Merinids, who sought to align with the Saadian nobles to serve their political interests. As a result, the Merinids pledged allegiance to the Saadians and assisted them in defeating their adversaries across the Maghreb, while also countering the opposition posed by certain sufi factions to Merinid authority.
The Merinids extended economic support to the Saadians, who became their refuge in times of crisis. This was notably evident when the people of Morocco rallied behind Sharif Abu Abdullah al-Idrissi in the face of the dual rulership of the Jews, Shaul and Aaron.
Aspirations of the Saadians to Establish Their Own State
The Saadians actively disseminated prophecies among the populace regarding the emergence of a Saadian state, bolstering their claims with various indicators. Notably, it was believed that the tutor of Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman’s sons would achieve great significance, especially after a rooster was said to have perched on Ahmed al-A’raj’s head before shifting to Muhammad al-Sheikh. Such prophecies resonated with the Moroccan people, thereby aiding in the formation of the Saadian state.
Weakness of the Wattasid State
The frailty of the Wattasid dynasty, which ruled Morocco after the Merinids, and their inability to defend Moroccan territories led to the Portuguese and Spanish occupation of the Moroccan coasts. This intervention was aimed at countering Moroccan incursions and preventing any support from reaching the Andalusians through those shores.
This situation incited the Moroccan populace’s anger towards the Wattasids, who they viewed as ineffective leaders, consequently strengthening the foundations of the Saadian state, alongside elevating their religious and social standing.
The Saadian State
The political history of Morocco underwent a significant transformation on August 18, 1511, when the Saadians began to lay the groundwork for their state while resisting the Portuguese adversary under the leadership of Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman, following a year of his rule in Morocco. One of his primary objectives was to eradicate the Christian presence along the shores of Sous and assert the authority of the Saadian state.
The Saadians trace their origins back to the city of Yambou, situated in the Hijaz region. Prior to the Saadians, their relatives, the Alawites, had migrated to the far reaches of Morocco but were unable to establish a political foundation similar to that of the Saadians. Conflicts arose between the two factions due to the Saadians’ perceived disregard for the Alawites, leading the latter to deny the Saadian lineage to the House of Ali.