Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi

Known by several names, including Abd er Rahman, Abdderrahman, Abderame, and Abd el-Rahman, he led the Spanish Muslims into battle against the forces of Charles Martel in the Battle of Tours. His unexpected death was probably the main reason for the defeat of the Muslim army.

Abu Said Abdul Rahman ibn Abdullah ibn Bishr ibn Al Sarem Al 'Aki Al Ghafiqi From the tribe of Ghafiq from Yemen.

He relocated to Ifriqiya, then to Maghrib, and got acquainted with Musa Ibn Nusair and his son Abdul Aziz, the governors of Al-Andalus.

After Al Samh ibn Malik was killed in 102 A.H. in battle by Oed of Aquitainia, Abdul Rahman took over the command of Eastern Andalus. He was briefly relieved of his command, when 'Anbasa ibn Suhaim Al Kalbi was appointed in 105 A.H. After 'Anbasa was killed in 107 A.H. battle in Gaul, several commanders were put in place, none of whom lasted very long.

In 112 A.H. the Caliph Hisham Ibn Abdul Malik appointed Abdul Rahman as governor/commander of Al Andalus. He prepared to invade Gaul, and called for recruits from Yemen and the Levant. Many arrived, and he crossed the Pyrenee range, with and army composed of Arabs and Berbers. He made way in Aquitania and Burgundia, captured the city of Bordeaux, and defeated the armies of Charles Martel. Charles Martel however managed to form an army of Gauls and Germanics, and defeated Abdul Rahman near Poitiers, at the river Loire. Abdul Rahman was killed in this battle. One of the reasons of defeat of the Muslim army was the preoccupation of the army with the war booty they captured in France, and the squabbles between various ethnic and tribal factions.

All Arab historians praise Abdul Rahman as an just and able administrator and commander, and bestow on him the honor of being the best governor of Andalus. Also, he did not take sides in the ethnic and tribal divisions that plagued Andalus under other rulers.

Sources: History of Abdul Salam Al Termanini (in Arabic) http://history.al-islam.com/names.asp?year=114#n621

Kbahey 02:21, 26 Jan 2004 (UTC)