The Religious and Social Reality of Christians in Al-Andalus under Umayyad Rule (138- 422 AH / 756-1031 CE)

Abstract

    The Muslims quickly conquered Spain in 92 AH / 711 CE due to various factors and
reasons, including the support of the Christian ruler of Ceuta, Julian, who allied with the
Muslims and encouraged the conqueror Tariq ibn Ziyad, governor of Tangier since 85 AH /
704 CE, to enter Spain. They also punished the Gothic ruler, Duke Rodrigo Teodofredo, who
ruled over Spain, and it was under his reign that Spain was conquered. The campaign was
successful, with victories achieved by Tariq ibn Ziyad and the conqueror and governor Musa
ibn Nusayr (86-96 AH / 705-715 CE). Toledo, the capital of the Goths, fell to the Muslims
and Spain came under Islamic rule. Since the conquest, Christians in Al-Andalus (Muslim
Spain) lived their normal lives because the teachings of Islam respect non-Muslims (people of
the covenant) if they choose to live under Islamic rule. The message of Islam came to
complete Judaism and Christianity as the final divine revelation, and the application of these
teachings in reality achieved respect and co-existence between different segments of society.
Many Christians embraced the Islamic faith, particularly in the period after the conquest (92-
95 AH / 711-714 CE), during the reign of the governors (96-138 AH / 715-755 CE) and under
the Umayyad Caliphate (138-422 AH / 756-1031 CE). Some Christians, known as Mozarabs,
continued to practice their own faith and coexisted with Muslims.