Islam in Al-

Andalus
Grade 11 Advocates
 Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus refers to the region of the Iberian
Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal) that
was under Muslim rule from 711 to 1492. It began
with the Umayyad conquest and became a
cultural and intellectual hub, known for
advancements in science, philosophy, medicine,
and architecture. Al-Andalus was a place where
Muslim, Christian, and Jewish communities
coexisted for much of its history, contributing to a
rich cultural exchange. Its capital, Córdoba, was
one of the largest and most sophisticated cities in
medieval Europe.
 Flag &
Currency
The silver dirham was the most widely used coin in
Al-Andalus for everyday transactions and trade.
It was introduced early in the Umayyad period and
was in circulation throughout the Islamic rule in the
Peninsula.
Flag of The Andalus -
Spain Abbasid Flag
 How Islam Inaugurated in
Al-Andalus
Al-Andalus, once suffered from widespread poverty and social
challenges, similar to the conditions the Arabs faced before Islam.
The people were afflicted by wrongdoings such as excessive
alcohol consumption, gambling, and systemic injustice toward
women. They lived in hardship, under the oppressive rule of
leaders who failed to provide justice or address their needs.
However, with the introduction of Muslim rule, Al-Andalus
experienced a significant transformation. For the first time, the
region saw justice and peace, as Islam introduced a new moral and
social framework that corrected many of the societal wrongs. This
governance uplifted the people, promoting fairness, improving the
treatment of all individuals, and guiding them toward a more just
and prosperous life, leading to a flourishing of culture and
Customs and traditions before and
after Islam
At the beginning of the first millennium, the Romans ruled Spain
for 5 centuries until the goths came and broke down the western
Roman Empire and took Spain under its control where the
Spanish lived under very harsh conditions. The Spanish had
many traditions that that were taken from the goths and the
Romans. Bullfighting initially started in the Roman colosseum
and was continued until Muslims entered Spain and considered
it bad for the animals. Spaniards also have many customs that
involve beer, wine, singing, and dancing. Which were all
changed by the Muslims as they are prohibited in Islam. After
Muslims entered Al-Andalus, many customs were changed to
accommodate their beliefs as most Spaniards converted to
Islam.
 Important
Scientists
Abo Al-Kasem Al- Ibn Khaldun was a 14th-
Zahrawi was a 10th- century Muslim scholar from
century physician and Al-Andalus who is considered
surgeon from Al-Andalus, the father of sociology,
known for his innovative historiography, and
techniques and works like economics. He is best known
"The Book of Surgery" and for his masterpiece, "Al-
"The Treatment of Heart Muqaddimah" (The
Diseases." His Introduction), a
contributions significantly groundbreaking work that
impacted the development covers a wide range of topics,
of medicine. including history, philosophy,
sociology, economics, and
 Important
Scientists
Al-Idrisi, a renowned Abbas Ibn Firnas, is
cartographer and scientist, known for being the first
created a world map that person to fly. He tested out
revolutionized medieval his flying machine by jumping
cartography and showcased off a high ground, staying in
geographical details with flight for a considerable
unprecedented accuracy, distance before crashing and
while his cyclopedic work, injuring himself. He also
the "Nuzhat al-Mustaqfi," designed the water clock,
provided detailed created various planets fears,
descriptions of various made reading stones, and
regions of the world, further developed a process for
enriching our understanding cutting rock crystals.
of the world during that era.
 Important Works
“Kitab al-Tasrif” (The Method Maps and
of Medicine) Cartography By:
By: Abo Al-Kasem Al-Zahrawi Al-Idrisi

“Muqaddimah” Aviation Experiment

(Introduction) (Glider)
By: Ibn Khaldun By: Abbas Ibn Firnas
Influential Figures
Tarek Ibn Zeyad was Musa ibn Nussair
one of the greatest war was second in command
generals in the history of and he was a very
Islam. He was sent by the important asset in
caliph Walid ibn Abd El-malek conquering Spain and
to Spain to teach them about teaching its people about
Islam, in the beginning he was Islam. Tarek Ibn Zeyad
met with the people of Spain wasn’t alone when he was
who refused to accept his sent to Spain, he had Musa
dawah of Islam and they went Ibn Nussair with him.
to war. Tarek Ibn Zeyad won a
great victory where he had
nearly 10k men against 50k.
Influential Figures
Abdelrahman Aldakhel Abdelrahman Al
(Sakr Kuraish) Nearly a Nasser was one of the
hundred years after Tarek ibn grandchildren of Abdelrahman
Zeyad and Musa ibn Nussair, the Al Dakhel. He was one of the
Abbasid dynasty had started and greatest kings to ever rule. He
they killed hundreds of expanded Al-Andalus till he
Ummayads, but Abdelrahman ruled half of France and all of
the first who was the heir to the Spain and Portugal except a
throne fled and went to Al- small fraction, he also ruled a
Andalus. To get revenge against great part of North Africa till
the Abbasids for killing his Tunisia from the east and
family, he entered Al-Andalus Morocco from the west. He was
with no army and helped its also a great leader to his
people fight against the people, he built many mosques
Abbasids and he won a great and eye catching buildings in
victory and rose to the throne. A Spain which are still standing
 Women’s roles
Al-Andalus women played an active role in various fields of
life such as politics, whether directly or otherwise, in
intellectual activities for personal reasons, general public or
aristocracy, and also in the development of arts and
culture. Muslim Al-Andalus women were clearly ahead of
other European women at that time. In addition to the
factors of tolerance and peace enjoyed, this phenomena
was caused by Islamic teachings itself which gave special
rights to women to make personal progress and utilize their
knowledge and expertise for the benefit of society.
 Architecture
The architecture in the Andalusian empire was influenced by many
factors such as the Islamic succession in Medieval Spain and Merchants’
trade trips to Spain from Arabic peninsula. In addition, the Andalusian
architecture had a unique identity. Fountains, palms and Quranic verses
were the cornerstone of each Andalusian building. Also pillars and
geometrical patterns were fundamental in building to resemble the
importance of Islam.
 Architecture
European Al-Andalus
Architecture Architecture
- Granite marble blocks - Small entrance inspired
by old alleys of Cairo
- Symmetrical - Enlarging as it goes
deeper
- Exterior shape only - Exterior shape not as
important important
- Shows power, strength
 Alhambra
The Alhambra Palace is one of the most remarkable

Palace
examples of Islamic-Andalusian architecture from its era.
It was commissioned by the Islamic ruler of Granada,
Muhammad bin Nasr Al-Ahmar, and its name, Alhambra,
means "red" in Arabic. Nasr built his palace during a time
of war and turmoil for the empire. Alhambra wasn't only a
ruling mansion, but also a full complex, accommodating
from government workers all the way to the ruler .The
construction of the Alhambra took 250 years to complete,
with architects of the time employing innovative and
unique techniques.
 Alhambra
Architects at the time used unique ways of
Palace
building such as building on a hill full of trees.
They also used a mixture of sand and ferric oxide
to add color to the building. Nasr and every Arabic
Muslim in Andalusia used to decorate the walls
with verses from The Holy Quran and Arabic
poetry. Just like every Arabic building at that time,
it was built facing the Qibla to deliver a message
for the visitor or occupiers that the religion is the
 Alhambra Palace: Al-
mashur
Alhambra palace had a reception hall called “Al-
Mashur” in which rulers and the decision makers
would meet to make decisions for the empire. Al-
Mashur had 5 pillar which symbolizes the 5 pillars
of Islam and emphasizes the importance of Islam.
In addition, you will find the wall decorated with a
granite carving of the Quranic verse: {Their affair
is a matter of consultation among them}(42:38).
Moreover, the hall was decorated with a huge
Alhambra Palace: Court of the
Lions
The Alhambra Palace contained one of the most
impressive courts in history, The Court of Lions.
Built at 1362 by the Muslim successor Muhammad
V. It had a unique fountain decorated with 7 lions
surrounding the whole fountain. The fountain
mechanism works using gravitational force by
building a network of water pipes built on a hill.
When the valve is open, water gets pumped from
the lions’ mouths which shows the outstanding
 Popular Cuisines
Biskito Gazpacho Salmorejo Prin
Frito Cordobes ga

Fried fish Cold tomato soup Bread and tomato Meat

soup dish
Popular Cuisines
Churr Tortill Patatas Pael
os as Bravas la

Fried Circular Cubed Rice

Dough flatbread potatoes with dish
bravas sauce