''Mawlay'' Mohammed al-Shaykh al-Sharif al-Hassani ( ar, محمد الشيخ الشريف الحسني) known as Mohammed al-Shaykh ( ar, محمد الشيخ) (b. 1490 – d. 23 October 1557) was the first sultan of the
Saadian dynasty
The Saadi Sultanate (also rendered in English as Sa'di, Sa'did, Sa'dian, or Saadian; ar, السعديون, translit=as-saʿdiyyūn) was a state which ruled present-day Morocco and parts of West Africa in the 16th and 17th centuries. It was l ...
of
Morocco
Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to ...
(1544–1557). He was particularly successful in expelling the Portuguese from most of their bases in Morocco. He also eliminated the
Wattasids
The Wattasid dynasty ( ber, Iweṭṭasen; ar, الوطاسيون, ''al-waṭṭāsīyūn'') was a ruling dynasty of Morocco. Like the Marinid dynasty, its rulers were of Zenata Berber descent. The two families were related, and the Marinids ...
and resisted the
Ottomans
The Ottoman Turks ( tr, Osmanlı Türkleri), were the Turkic founding and sociopolitically the most dominant ethnic group of the Ottoman Empire ( 1299/1302–1922).
Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks remains scarce, ...
, thereby establishing a complete rule over Morocco.
Biography
War against the Wattasids and Portuguese
After the death of his father
Abu Abdallah al-Qaim
Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Qaim bi-Amr Allah, () often shortened to Abu Abdallah al-Qa'im or Muhammad al-Qa'im, was the first political leader of the Saadi Dynasty of Morocco. He ruled the Sous and other parts of southern Morocco ...
in 1517, Mohammed al-Shaykh (together with his brother
Ahmad al-Araj
Ahmed al-Araj ( 1517 – 1544) (b. 1486 – d. 1557) was a ruler of the Saadi Dynasty, he became Emir of Marrakesh when he conquered the city in 1524. Some sources refer to him as Sultan of Marrakesh. Ahmed was a son of Abu Abdallah al-Qaim bi A ...
) took command of the war of the Saadi against the
Portuguese
Portuguese may refer to:
* anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal
** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods
** Portuguese language, a Romance language
*** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language
** Portu ...
. They conquered
Marrakesh
Marrakesh or Marrakech ( or ; ar, مراكش, murrākuš, ; ber, ⵎⵕⵕⴰⴽⵛ, translit=mṛṛakc}) is the fourth largest city in the Kingdom of Morocco. It is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco and is the capital of the Marrakes ...
in 1524.
Ahmad became Emir of Marrakesh, while still recognizing the Wattasid Sultan of Fes, and Mohammed remained as ruler of
Taroudannt
Taroudant (; ar, تارودانت, Latn, ar, tārūdānt, ) is a city in the Sous Valley in south western Morocco. It is situated east of Agadir on the road to Ouarzazate and the Sahara desert and south of Marrakesh. The town is known as the "Gr ...
.
[''The last great Muslim empires: history of the Muslim world'' Frank Ronald Charles Bagley, Hans Joachim Kissling p.102''ff''](_blank)
/ref>
In 1527, the Treaty of Tadla
The Treaty of Tadla was a treaty signed in 1527 between the rival Moroccan dynasties of the Marinid Wattasids in the north of the country, and the southern Saadis. The treaty followed an inconclusive military encounter between the two parties at ...
was agreed between the Saadians and the Wattasids, following the Wattasid defeat in the Battle of Wadi al-Abid
A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...
. Both dynasties agreed on their respective territorial control, which was separated by the Tadla
Tadla is a historical and geographical region of Morocco, located in the center of the country, north of the High Atlas mountain range and west of the Middle Atlas. It is the region of origin of the eponymous collection of tribal, semi-nomadic pas ...
region.
After 1536, and the rise in power of Ahmad, the brothers came into conflict with each other. Ahmad had in effect allied himself with the Wattasids
The Wattasid dynasty ( ber, Iweṭṭasen; ar, الوطاسيون, ''al-waṭṭāsīyūn'') was a ruling dynasty of Morocco. Like the Marinid dynasty, its rulers were of Zenata Berber descent. The two families were related, and the Marinids ...
under the regent Ali Abu Hassun
Ali Abu Hassun (), also Abu al Hasan Abu Hasun or Abu Hasun, full name Abu al-Hasan Abu Hasun Ali ibn Muhammad (died September 1554), was a Regent of the Crown of Morocco for the Wattasid dynasty, during the 16th century.
Life
In 1545, he succ ...
(1524–54). Mohammed could maintain his position in Southern Morocco
Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to ...
and conquered Agadir in 1541 and other coastal towns, ousting the Portuguese. After the loss of Agadir
Agadir ( ar, أݣادير, ʾagādīr; shi, ⴰⴳⴰⴷⵉⵔ) is a major city in Morocco, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean near the foot of the Atlas Mountains, just north of the point where the Souss River flows into the ocean, and south ...
, the Portuguese immediately evacuated Azamor
Azemmour or Azammur ( ar, أزمور, azammūr; ber, ⴰⵣⵎⵎⵓⵔ, azemmur, lit=wild olive tree) is a Moroccan city, lying at the Atlantic ocean coast, on the left bank of the Oum Er-Rbia River, 75 km southwest of Casablanca.
Etymo ...
(which they held between 1513–41) and Safi (1488–1541). While Ahmad fled to Tafilalet
Tafilalt or Tafilet (; ar, تافيلالت), historically Sijilmasa, is a region and the largest oasis in Morocco.
Etymology
The word "Tafilalt" is an Amazigh word and it means "Jug", which is specifically a pottery jar used to store water.
...
.
Relationship with the Andalusis
The Andalusi The Arabic '' nisbah'' (attributive title) Al-Andalusi denotes an origin from Al-Andalus. Al-Andalusi may refer to:
* Abu Hayyan al-Gharnati
* Ibn Hazm
* Ibn Juzayy
* Ibn 'Atiyya
* Said Al-Andalusi
* Yaʿīsh ibn Ibrāhīm al-Umawī
See also
* A ...
relationship with the Saadian Sultanate was not good, although the victories of Muhammad al-Shaykh against the Portuguese had a good impact on the Andalusis, who fully supported him as a man of jihad
Jihad (; ar, جهاد, jihād ) is an Arabic word which literally means "striving" or "struggling", especially with a praiseworthy aim. In an Islamic context, it can refer to almost any effort to make personal and social life conform with Go ...
. Muhammad al-Shaykh tried to ally with the Ottomans
The Ottoman Turks ( tr, Osmanlı Türkleri), were the Turkic founding and sociopolitically the most dominant ethnic group of the Ottoman Empire ( 1299/1302–1922).
Reliable information about the early history of Ottoman Turks remains scarce, ...
to save the al-Andalus, but his conflicts with the Andalusi stopped him from doing so.
War against the Ottomans
After reorganising his army after the Ottoman example, he succeeded in conquering Fes
Fez or Fes (; ar, فاس, fās; zgh, ⴼⵉⵣⴰⵣ, fizaz; french: Fès) is a city in northern inland Morocco and the capital of the Fès-Meknès administrative region. It is the second largest city in Morocco, with a population of 1.11 mi ...
in 1549, causing the downfall of the Wattasids
The Wattasid dynasty ( ber, Iweṭṭasen; ar, الوطاسيون, ''al-waṭṭāsīyūn'') was a ruling dynasty of Morocco. Like the Marinid dynasty, its rulers were of Zenata Berber descent. The two families were related, and the Marinids ...
. In the conquest of Fes he again used European artillery, which he had also used in the Fall of Agadir
The Fall of Agadir refers to the conquest of the city in Morocco by the Saadians against the Portuguese in 1541.
Background Establishment and trade role
Agadir had been a Portuguese base since 1505. Before that, a few unsuccessful attempts to cap ...
in 1541. He then provided an army to his son, who was able to conquer Tlemcen
Tlemcen (; ar, تلمسان, translit=Tilimsān) is the second-largest city in northwestern Algeria after Oran, and capital of the Tlemcen Province. The city has developed leather, carpet, and textile industries, which it exports through the por ...
in 1550, and throw out the Spanish-backed Zayyanid Sultan of Tlemcen
The Kingdom of Tlemcen or Zayyanid Kingdom of Tlemcen ( ar, الزيانيون) was a Berber kingdom in what is now the northwest of Algeria. Its territory stretched from Tlemcen to the Chelif bend and Algiers, and at its zenith reached Sijilm ...
.
After the fall of Fes, Ksar-el-Kebir
El-Ksar el Kebir (Arabic: القصر الكبير; ber, ⵍⵇⵚⵔ ⵍⴽⴱⵉⵔ, lqṣr lkbir) is a city in northwestern Morocco, about 160 km north of Rabat, 32 km east of Larache and 110 km south of Tangier. It recorded a ...
and Asila; the Portuguese were ousted in 1550.[''A history of the Maghrib in the Islamic period'' by Jamil M. Abun-Nasr p.211](_blank)
/ref> Finally, only Ceuta
Ceuta (, , ; ar, سَبْتَة, Sabtah) is a Spanish autonomous city on the north coast of Africa.
Bordered by Morocco, it lies along the boundary between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of several Spanish territorie ...
(1415–1668), Tangier
Tangier ( ; ; ar, طنجة, Ṭanja) is a city in northwestern Morocco. It is on the Moroccan coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean off Cape Spartel. The town is the cap ...
(1471–1661) and Mazagan
El Jadida (, ; originally known in Berber as Maziɣen or Mazighen; known in Portuguese as Mazagão) is a major port city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, located 96 km south of the city of Casablanca, in the province of El Jadida and the r ...
(1502–1769) remained in Portuguese hands.[''City walls: the urban enceinte in global perspective'' James D. Tracy p.352](_blank)
/ref>
With help of the Ottomans, the Wattasids under Ali Abu Hassun
Ali Abu Hassun (), also Abu al Hasan Abu Hasun or Abu Hasun, full name Abu al-Hasan Abu Hasun Ali ibn Muhammad (died September 1554), was a Regent of the Crown of Morocco for the Wattasid dynasty, during the 16th century.
Life
In 1545, he succ ...
were able to conquer Fes once more in early 1554, but that conquest was short-lived, and Mohammed al-Shaykh was able to vanquish the last Wattasids
The Wattasid dynasty ( ber, Iweṭṭasen; ar, الوطاسيون, ''al-waṭṭāsīyūn'') was a ruling dynasty of Morocco. Like the Marinid dynasty, its rulers were of Zenata Berber descent. The two families were related, and the Marinids ...
at the Battle of Tadla
The Battle of Tadla occurred in September 1554 in Tadla, Morocco, between Ali Abu Hassun, last ruler of the Wattasid dynasty, and Mohammed ash-Sheikh, ruler of the Saadis.
Background
In 1545 the Wattasid ruler in northern Morocco, Abu Hassun, subm ...
, and recapture the city of Fes in September 1554.[''A history of the Maghrib in the Islamic period'' by Jamil M. Abun-Nasr p.157](_blank)
/ref> During the Ottoman Siege of Oran (1556), Mohammed, who was allied with the Spanish, managed to capture Tlemcen from the Ottomans. With the final victory of the Saadians and the death of Ali Abu Hassun in 1554, the war was decided.
Death
Mohammed al-Shaykh was assassinated by the Ottomans in 1557 by order of Hasan Pasha, son of Hayreddin Barbarossa
Hayreddin Barbarossa ( ar, خير الدين بربروس, Khayr al-Din Barbarus, original name: Khiḍr; tr, Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa), also known as Hızır Hayrettin Pasha, and simply Hızır Reis (c. 1466/1478 – 4 July 1546), was an Ot ...
, as Mohammed was preparing for an alliance with Spain against the Ottomans. Some Ottoman soldiers had falsely entered into his service, claiming to be deserters, but later assassinated him. He was buried in the Saadian Tombs
The Saadian Tombs (, , ) are a historic royal necropolis in Marrakesh, Morocco, located on the south side of the Kasbah Mosque, inside the royal kasbah (citadel) district of the city. They date to the time of the Saadian dynasty and in particula ...
of Marrakech
Marrakesh or Marrakech ( or ; ar, مراكش, murrākuš, ; ber, ⵎⵕⵕⴰⴽⵛ, translit=mṛṛakc}) is the fourth largest city in the Kingdom of Morocco. It is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco and is the capital of the Marrakes ...
. He was succeeded by his son Abdallah al-Ghalib
Abdallah al-Ghalib Billah (; b. 1517 – d. 22 January 1574, 1557–1574) was the second Saadian sultan of Morocco. He succeeded his father Mohammed al-Shaykh as Sultan of Morocco.
Biography
Early life
With his first wife Sayyida Rabia, Mo ...
, who successfully defeated the invading Turks in the Battle of Wadi al-Laban
The Battle of Wadi al-Laban, also Battle of Oued el Leben,معركة وادي اللبن occurred in March–April 1558 between Saadians and Turkish-Algerian forces under Hasan Pasha, the son of Hayreddin Barbarossa and occurred north of Fes, ...
in 1558 who took advantage of Mohammed's assassination.
Notes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mohammed Ash-Sheikh
1490s births
1557 deaths
Saadi dynasty
People from Marrakesh
Moroccan people of Arab descent
15th-century Arabs
16th-century Arabs
16th-century Moroccan people
16th-century monarchs in Africa
Year of birth unknown