Thariq ibn Ziyad

The Conqueror of Andalusia

            Thariq ibn Ziyad

Thariq Bin Ziyad is one of the most admired heroes of the muslim world. He lead the muslim army to invade and conquer Spain. Islamic Spain was known as Andalusia with a feeling of romantic nostalgic fever in every muslim. It was in Andalusia where muslim genius for arts, sciences, architecture and civic sense flourished, at least 500 years ahead of rest of Europe at that time.

The library of Cordova is referred to by Muslims as one of the treasures of modern history, unfortunately lost to a barbaric force bent on destruction. The Alhambra palace is a piece of architectural gem as much as a symbol of passion in literature.

The general in charge of the Muslim army was Tarek Bin Ziyad. The rock of Gibraltar was named after him (Jab al Tarek). Below is a text of his speech to his soldiers just before his famous war. Some say that he had all the ships burned so that his soldiers literally had two options. Either they fought for life against their enemy, or they could die drowning in the sea. Let history books do rest of the talking:

Thariq’s Address to His Soldiers, 711 CE

When Thariq had been informed of the approach of the enemy, he rose in the midst of his companions and, after having glorified God in the highest, he spoke to his soldiers thus:

“Oh my warriors, whither would you flee? Behind you is the sea, before you, the enemy. You have left now only the hope of your courage and your constancy. Remember that in this country you are more unfortunate than the orphan seated at the table of the avaricious master. Your enemy is before you, protected by an innumerable army; he has men in abundance, but vou, as your only aid, have your own swords, and, as your only chance for life, such chance as you can snatch from the hands of your enemy. If the absolute want to which you are reduced is prolonged ever so little, if you delay to seize immediate success, your good fortune will vanish, and your enemies, whom your very presence has filled with fear, will take courage. Put far from you the disgrace from which you flee in dreams, and attack this monarch who has left his strongly fortified city to meet you. Here is a splendid opportunity to defeat him, if you will consent to expose yourselves freelv to death. Do not believe that I desire to incite you to face dangers which I shall refuse to share with you. In the attack I myself will be in the fore, where the chance of life is always least.

“Remember that if you suffer a few moments in patience, you will afterward enjoy supreme delight. Do not imagine that your fate can be separated from mine, and rest assured that if you fall, I shall perish with you, or avenge you. You have heard that in this country there are a large number of ravishingly beautiful Greek maidens, their graceful forms are draped in sumptuous gowns on which gleam pearls, coral, and purest gold, and they live in the palaces of royal kings. The Commander of True Believers, Alwalid, son of Abdalmelik, has chosen you for this attack from among all his Arab warriors; and he promises that you shall become his comrades and shall hold the rank of kings in this country. Such is his confidence in your intrepidity. The one fruit which he desires to obtain from your bravery is that the word of God shall be exalted in this country, and that the true religion shall be established here. The spoils will belong to yourselves.

“Remember that I place myself in the front of this glorious charge which I exhort you to make. At the moment when the two armies meet hand to hand, you will see me, never doubt it, seeking out this Roderick, tyrant of his people, challenging him to combat, if God is willing. If I perish after this, I will have had at least the satisfaction of delivering you, and you will easily find among you an experienced hero, to whom you can confidently give the task of directing you. But should I fall before I reach to Roderick, redouble your ardor, force yourselves to the attack and achieve the conquest of this country, in depriving him of life. With him dead, his soldiers will no longer defy you.”

fordham.edu/halsall/source/711Thariq1.asp

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