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Battle of Az-Zallaqah
In
the blessed month of Ramadan, in 479, A.H. broke out the famous
battle of Az-Zallaqah between Muslims and European armies.
Az-Zallaqah is one of the lands of Andalusia [now Spain], near
Cordova. The battle ended with a brilliant victory for the Muslim
forces and humiliating defeat for the Europeans. That battle broke
out when king Azfounch, Alfounso VI, ruler of the Kashtala,
threatened Al-Mu`tamid Ibn Ibad, Muslim ruler in Andalusia, that he
would occupy the city of Cordova.
Al-Mu`tamid
decided to turn to Yousef Ibn Tashfeen, ruler of Morocco, for aid
though his men warned him that the he might aspire the latter to
invade Andalusia. Yet Al-Mu`tamid replied with his famous
statements: “To breed camel is much more better than to breed
pigs”. By this he meant that it is better for him to be occupied
by Muslims and breed their camels in deserts than to live under the
rule of the European king and breed his pigs. In fact Tashfen did
not hesitate to help his Muslim brothers, and hastened to respond
for their call. Both rulers met and began their mission to save
their lands from the hands of the tyrants hoping it to be purely
for Allah’s sake.
Al-Azfounsh
tried to entrap the Muslims leaders. He sent for them assuring them
that they would be no battle on the blessed days of Friday and
Sunday. It was clear for Muslims that it was only a trap and
decided to make their preparations. Their guesses came to be true
for on the night of Friday, the enemies’ forces began their
fierce attacks against Muslims. The two forces met in a dreadful
fight, where victory seemed to be in the beginning for the side of
the enemies and Al-Mu`tamid was severely wounded. Yet Allah never
breaks His promise as the course of the battle turned upside down
and Tashfeen’s forces began to appear participating in the battle
with firm steadfastness and courage. Undoubtedly the battle ended
as it used to be with the brilliant victory for Muslims.
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