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Abdallah ibn Yasin

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Abdallah ibn Yasin was a significant Islamic theologian and spiritual leader. He is best known as the founder of the Almoravid movement. This movement played a major role in the history of North Africa. He was a scholar belonging to the Maliki school of Islamic law. His work focused on spreading orthodox Sunnism among various Berber groups.

Ibn Yasin was born in the village of Tamanart, or Temamanaout. This village sat at the edge of the desert near Ghana. He belonged to the Jazulah, which is a sub-tribe of the Sanhaja people. His mother was named Tin Izamarren. He received his education in a Ribat, which is a religious school. This Ribat was called Dar al-Murabitin. It was located in the village of Aglu, near present-day Tiznit.

His career began through the guidance of his teacher, Waggag ibn Zallu al-Lamti. Waggag was a relative of ibn Yasin. In 1046, the Gudala chief Yahya Ibn Ibrahim visited the Ribat. He requested a leader to teach Islamic religious teachings to the Berbers of the Adrar. This region is known today as Mauritania. Waggag chose to send ibn Yasin for this mission. At that time, the Sanhaja tribes were only superficially Islamized. Many of them still followed various pagan practices.

The movement grew through a specific political and military structure. After a revolt by the Gudala tribe, ibn Yasin withdrew with his followers. He eventually formed an alliance with Yahya ibn Umar, the leader of the Lamtuna tribe. This alliance became known as the Almoravid movement. It brought together three specific tribes: the Lamtuna, the Masufa, and the Godala. Ibn Yasin served as the spiritual leader of this group. Yahya ibn Umar acted as the military commander.

In 1054, the movement achieved a major victory by conquering Sijilmasa. This city had been ruled by the Maghrawa. Once in control, ibn Yasin introduced a very strict form of orthodox rule. He implemented several specific changes to society. He forbade the use of wine and music. He also abolished taxes that were not Islamic. Furthermore, he mandated that one fifth of the spoils of war go to religious experts. These rigorous rules caused significant tension. A revolt broke out in 1055 because of these strict applications of faith.

Leadership changes occurred as the movement faced continued challenges. In 1056, the military leader Yahya ibn Umar was killed during a renewed Gudala revolt in the Sahara. In response, ibn Yasin appointed Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar to the military command. Abu-Bakr was the brother of the previous leader. He led the destruction of Sijilmasa. However, he could not force the Gudala tribe back into the Almoravid league. Abu-Bakr later captured the city of Sūs and its capital, Aghmat, in 1058.

Abdallah ibn Yasin died on July 7, 1059. He passed away while attempting to subjugate the Barghawata people on the Atlantic coast. He was succeeded by Sulaiman ibn Haddu. However, Sulaiman was also killed, and no further replacement was made. Today, his resting place is located almost due south of Rabat, near Rommani. His grave overlooks the Krifla River. The site is known on Michelin maps as the marabout of Sidi Abdallah. A mosque and a mausoleum have been built there. This site remains intact to this day.

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