This document discusses the history of Islam and its arrival in the Iberian Peninsula, known as Al-Andalus. It began with the Umayyad conquest in 711 AD and the creation of an Islamic state. Muslims ruled Al-Andalus until 1492, leaving influences on Spanish culture, art, customs and language. The golden age was the Caliphate of Cordoba in the 10th century, though Al-Andalus eventually fractured and was reduced to the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada by the 13th century before the final Islamic rule ended in 1492.

1. Islam and Al-
Andalus

2. • Islam is one the biggest religions in the world. It’s a
monotheist religion that believes in one god. It was first
preached by the Prophet Muhammad in Arabia, in the early
7th century, around the cities of Mecca and Yathrib (present-day
Medina or Madinat An Nabi = city of the Prophet).
• Its principles rapidly spread throughout the north of Africa,
Asia and parts of Europe.
• Today Islam is the second biggest religion in the world with
1570 million followers.

4. • The Muslims arrived on the Iberian peninsula in 711. They
defeated the Visigoth kingdom and created the Islamic state,
al-Andalus.

5. • Muslims stayed on the Peninsula until 1492. We can see
Muslim influences in our culture, art, customs and language.

6. Islam of the Iberian Peninsula: al-
Andalus
THE CONQUEST
• In 711 Tarik, lieutenant of Musa (North Africa governor) crossed the
Strait of Gibraltar with Arab and Berber troops.
• They wanted to plunder the area, but the victory over the King
Roderick (Rodrigo) at the Battle of Guadalete (711) encourage
them to advance.
• In 4 years, they conquered most of the Peninsula; following the
battle of Covadonga (722), only the North remained Christian
(Cantabria and Asturias).
• Muslims reached France (Battle of Poitiers, 732), but were defeated
by Charles Martel.

7. THE DEPENDENT EMIRATE OF DAMASCUS
• After the conquest, al-Andalus became an emirate: province
depending on the Umayyad caliphate of Damascus. The capital was
Cordoba.
THE INDEPENDENT EMIRATE
• In 756, Abd al-Rahman I, an Umayyad prince came to al-Andalus
escaping from the Abbasids of Baghdad. He proclaimed himself
independent emir, but recognised the religious authority of
Baghdad.
• During this period, Christians conquered Zamora, and Franks
Gerona and Barcelona (Hispanic March).

9. THE CALIPHATE OF CORDOBA
• In 929, Abd al-Rahman III proclaimed himself caliph, declaring the
religious independence of al-Andalus.
• He ended internal rebellions and fought against the Christians in the
north. It was a golden age, and Cordoba was the most prosperous
city in the west.
• Under Al-Haken II and Hixen II, the situation was the same. Hixem
II’s vizier, Almanzor, plundered Barcelona and Santiago. With his
death, the caliphate was in crisis.

11. THE TAIFAS
• In 1031, the Caliphate of Cordoba was divided into 28
different taifas or kingdoms. Christians made them paying
taxes (parias). Christians conquered Toledo in 1085
(Alphonse VI).
ALMORAVIDS AND ALMOHADS.
• Almoravid were nomadic Berbers who had an empire in North
Africa (Marrakech was its capital). They came to al-Andalus
and beated the Christians in the battle of Sagrajas.
• Almohads replaced Almoravids, and incorporated al-Andalus
to their empire. But in 1212 they were defeated at the battle
of Las Navas de Tolosa. Christian penetrated into the valley
of Guadalquivir. Al-Andalus was reduced to a small kingdom
(Granada).

13. THE NASRID KINGDOM OF GRANADA
• The Muslim Kingdom of Granada, governed by the Nasrid dinasty,
survied in the Peninsula until 1492, due to 2 circumstances:
– The support of the Muslims from North Africa.
– They paid tributes to the Castillian kings.

15. The economy and society in al-
Andalus
ECONOMY
• The city was the centre of
the economic activity
(market=souqs=zoco).
• Agriculture was the main
activity. They developed
irrigation, using wells,
waterwheels and ditches.
Introduced new crops (rice,
citrus fruits, hemp).
• Artisans also produces
textiles, leather and glass.
• Trade was very important in
al-Andalus.

16. The economy and society in al-
Andalus

17. Islamic art and culture
ISLAMIC CULTURE
• Islamic culture made important advances and inventions.

18. Islamic Art
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
• Islam forbids the presentation of
human and animal forms, so
their art is based on architecture
and design.
• Buildings were made with poor-quality
construction materiales
(brick, wood, plaster).
• They used columns and pillars
to support horseshoe arches
and vaulted roofs.

19. • The usually decorated the buildings with vegetables (arabesque),
geometric figures (tracery) and inscriptions from the Koran
(epigraphy).

20. • The Mosque is the most important building (based on Muhammad’s
house in Medina):
– Courtyard, where we find a fountain, and a minaret or tower.
– The hall of prayer, covered with arches and columns. The kiblah
faces to the Mecca and holds the mihrab.
– Damascus, Kairouan, Samarra, Jerusalem, Córdoba.

21. Mosque of Damascus

22. Mosque of Jerusalem

23. Mosque of Samarra

24. Mosque of Kairouan

25. Mosque of Córdoba

26. Mosque of Córdoba - Mihrab

27. Mosque of Córdoba – Prayer
room

28. Old minaret of
Seville’s Mosque
(Giralda tower)

29. Alhambra
• Palaces where the caliph lived. It had beautiful gardens with
fountains.
– Alhambra of Granada

30. Madinat Al-Zahra

31. Madinat Al-Zahra