The Formation of Political Power and the Configuration of the Almoravids Legitimacy System in al-Andalus

Almoravids, as one of the most important Islamic states in the fifth century AH, ruled Maghreb and al-Andalus. The situation in al-Andalus, after the Umayyads and the establishment of Taʼifa king, became unstable and suitable for their presence. Sovereignty in al-Andalus for the Maghreb Ṣanhāja required strengthening the power and structure of the system legitimacy. They formed the configuration of their legitimacy by superiority over the various Maghreb tribes and creating the concept of jihad, political power with the help of Maliki's thought, adoption of the title of Amir al-Muslimin, and jihad with Christians. Therefore, the analysis of the political power of the Almoravids, the structure of their legitimacy, and the process of their presence in Andalusia is important from the perspective of this research. The present analytical study tries to answer the following question: what factors led to the formation of the power structure and legitimacy system Almoravids in al-Andalus according to the conditions of the fifth century AH? The findings indicate that the Almoravids initially exploited the Maghreb's capacity for the hegemony of power and the structure legitimacy and established their sovereignty. Then, by adopting the concept of jihad against Christians and seeking help from Maliki jurists, they arrived in al-Andalus and took advantage of the rupture of the political power of the rulers of Taʼifa king and occupied al-Andalus.

The presence of Almoravids in the Islamic Maghreb, coinciding with the rupture of power after the Umayyad in Al-Andalus, inevitably linked the development of these two neighboring lands. The Almoravid movements first started based on the tribal structure in the Maghreb and religious thought. After its formation, Almoravids first strengthened its power base and moved closer to the borders of Al- Andalus. With the fall of the Umayyad Caliphate of Al-Andalus in 422AH/ 1031AD, a small kingdom emerged, known as the period of the tribal kings. Most of the rulers of states and their rulers were constantly involved with each other. Their policy was based on achieving personal benefits without considering the important issues of land and people.As a result of this policy and due to the war between the rulers of different regions, political turmoil emerged in Al-Andalus, affecting the inhabitants' economic situation. The differences between the Tifaking rulers, the lack of unified power, and Christian attacks on Islamic lands led to seeking help from the Almoravid government. The land of Al-Andalus apart from the presence of Muslims for the desert dweller of Almoravids had many attractions. Almoravids could take advantage of provided opportunities and introduced themselves as the rulers of Al- Andalus.The present study also emphasizes the role of Almoravids in the fifth century but presents the power structure and legitimacy system of this government in the political atmosphere of Al- Andalus and the challenge of its presence on this island. In this respect, the following question is posed: In the process of consolidating power and presence in Al-Andalus, what political action and intellectual development did Almmoravids do to establish their system of legitimacy? What logic did Al-Andalus consider for the presence of Almoravids during the period of Taifa king? It seems that Almoravids, in the early stages, took advantage of the Maghreb’s capacity for the hegemony of power and structure of legitimacy and consolidated their sovereignty. They then reached Al-Andalus by adopting the concept of jihad and the title of Amir al-Muslim against Christians and seeking help from Maliki jurist. They also made the most use of the rupture of political power by the rulers of the Taifa king. Joseph’s presence in Al-Andalus and his relative victory over the Christians undoubtedly challenged Taʼifa king; in other words, it did not take long for Amir Al-Muslimin and Amir Al-Arab to quarrel. But this time, too, the Almoravids succeeded in conquering Al-Andalus.

The present study, with an analytical approach and emphasis on sources, tries to answer the following question: what factors led to the formation of the power structure and legitimacy system of the relatives according to the condition of the fifth century?

The Almoravids first created a religious movement in the Maghreb desert and sought help from the tradition of Ṣanhāja tribes and Maliki jurisprudence, and then succeeded in conquering the entire Islamic Maghreb and paying attention to Al-Andalus. At this stage, they changed the configuration of their legitimacy system by using the title ‘Amir al-Muslimin’, and by adopting such a policy, they introduced themselves as the defenders of Muslims in the West to Islamic rulers. It also reflected the growing power and ambitions of the Almoravid government. By consolidating the political structure and strengthening the system of legitimacy, they took advantage of the power vacuum in Al-Andalus and entered there. Much of the Almoravid’s success in Al-Andalus depended on the political situation and the structure of the ruling governments there. Before taking any action, Yūsuf Ibn Tāshfīn decided to adopt the most appropriate method of defending against the progress of Christians by creating the concept of “jihad” and uniting the rulers of the region. The issue of jihad had a place in Maliki’s justification for establishing the political legitimacy of the Almoravids in Al-Andalus. Although the Almoravids succeed in shaping political power and the system of legitimacy, there are a number of reasons why they encountered difficulties in establishing power in Al-Andalus. First, the Al-Andalus environment was unfamiliar to the Almoravids, and due to their dependence on the Maghreb desert, they could not establish a model like the Al-Andalus Umayyads. Another issue goes back to the discourse of the political power of the Almoravids in Al-Andalus, which did not continue after Yūsuf Ibn Tāshfīn. After Yūsuf Ibn Tāshfīn, they shattered their rule by creating erosive battles in Al–Andulas at great expense, and caused dissatisfaction by raising taxes. The Almoravids were stuck in the confusion of the Maghreb in Al-Andalus, with all its ups and downs. They weakened after the death of Yūsuf Ibn Tāshfīn (500 AH/1106 AD) and then declined. Nevertheless, the Almoravids marked one of the best historical periods in Al-Andalus.