IDRIS I (789-793): The Fugitive who Founded Morocco's 1st Islamic Dynasty

The Idrisid dynasty ( ⴰⵢⵜ ⴷⵔⵉⵙ or الأدارسة) is viewed as the first ruling authority of Morocco’s Islamic history, with an influence that enveloped parts of North Africa for nearly two centuries.

Their story begins with the exile of a young Muslim man from Al Hijaz, in present-day Saudi Arabia: Idriss ben Abdallah.

The story of Idris I, or Moulay Idris al Akbar, begins at a time when the lands that would become a portion of present-day Morocco? were on the cusp of chang e – though still very much un-Islamized.

A "Sacred" Lineage

Idris was born into a family whose bloodline carried immense significance for the entire Muslim world. He was a "sharif", a direct descendant of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) through the branch of his daughter Fatima Zahra and her husband, Ali ibn Abi Talib – the fourth caliph of Islam.

Now if you know anything about this couple, you know how legendary and mythical their life and love story is — one of my favorites. And it certainly gave the persona of Idris I a lot of substance.

The lineage of Ali and Fatima, particularly through their sons Hassan and Hussein, held an almost sacred status, in the sense that it was revered by Muslims who sought leaders with a temporal legitimacy Idris came from the Hassanid branch, descended from Ali and Fatima's eldest son, Hassan, which bestowed upon him an almost royal lineage.

Navigating the Currents of the early Islamic World

The world Idris was born into was one of division. After the death of the Prophet (pbuh) in 632, disputes over leadership began to split that early Muslim community which had blossomed during his life. The dynasty of the Banu Umayya had ruled the Muslim world from Damascus, followed by the Abbasids, who overthrew them in 750.

The Abbasids were widely accepted in the beginning, but they also faced opposition from various groups, particularly the branch that was descending from Ali and Fatima. These factions believed they were the rightful leaders of the Muslim world, since the blood of the Prophet’s own daughter, Fatima Zahra, was running through their veins.

One such moment of opposition was the infamous and deadly Battle of Fakhkh in 786, a bloody but decisive clash that took place near Mecca, in present day Saudi Arabia, between the Abassid forces, and “rebels” from Ali’s family, also known as Ahl Al Bayt. They were once allied with the Abbasids themselves, which is essentially when they overthrew the Banu Umayya. However, as soon as they secured their power in ther egion, the Abbasids turned on their former allies. They wanted to kill in the nest any potential claims to leadership that could come from the family of the Prophet (pbuh).

So... where was Idris ben Abdallah in this picture ?

As it turns out, the future founder of the first Moroccan Islamic state stood amongst the ranks of his nephew or uncle, depending on the source: al-Ḥusayn ben Ali ben al-Ḥasan during the Battle of Fakhkh – which, again, marked a turning point in the conflict as it meant the victory of the Abassids.

Following through with their bloody success, the Abassids massacred Idris's family. The rebellion was crushed, and many descendants of Ali ibn Abi Talib were killed. Idris ben Abdallah was still very young when that had happened, and nearly lost his life, but he managed to escape the battlefield by joining a group of pilgrims who were fleeing far away from the watchful eyes, and deadly swords of the Arab dynasty. And that, is what lead Idris ben Abdallah to set foot on the African continent.

Between flight and Refuge

After escaping the chaos, Idris ben Abdallah started his journey of exile.

With a heavy heart, leaving behind the shadows of a painful past, tainted with loss, Idris started a journey that would change not only his life, but the course of history, forever.

Idriss ben Abdallah crossed the Red Sea. From there, he eventually made his way to Abyssinia, which is located in modern-day Ethiopia. And the special about this region at the time is that it was commonly known for providing sanctuary to people that had persecuted in the Arabic Peninsula. From Abyssinia, he tnen headed north into Egypt. And mind you— Egypt at the time, was still under Abassid control. Thankfully, it wasn’t as tightly gripped to the caliphate as more central territories were.

His travels eventually brought him to the western Maghreb, in the region of modern-day Morocco. Fortunately, he had his loyal servant, Rashid by his side. Rashid had been freed from slavery, and his loyalty to Idris was so unwavering he would continue to serve the Idrisid dynasty years after his master’s death.

Together, they survived the wreckenings of the desert, walked for days on the rockiest soils, muscled through sleepless nights – as any travelers had to, at the time.

Their long journey came to an end a couple kilometers away from the Atlantic ocean. They settled in Zerhoun, between present-day Fez and Meknes. But thankfully for the course of History, one of the two men figured it would be wise to take a couple additional steps, which eventually lead them to their final destination: the ancient Roman city of Volubilis (Oualili).

Little did they know what that chapter had in store for them...

The Awraba : the Hand of Fate

It is 788. By that point, the city of Volubilis had been the shelter of an Amazigh tribe for years – one of the greatest of the 8th century, according to 14th century historian Ibn Khaldoun – the Awraba (Awerba, or "Auréba")

The Awraba were known for having held their ground against the Arab troops of the Banu Umayya caliphate, who raided through North Africa starting the 7th century. For years, they resisted everything that had to do with the Arabs, including Islam. They were proud, headstrong and valued their independence. But upon Idris’s arrival, the leader of the Awraba, Ishaq ibn Mohammed ibn Abd al-Hamid al Awrabi, saw the potential behind the man ; and most importantly, the many ways in which he could make his tribe great again.

At this point of the article, I think we need to zoom in and browse through the story book of the Awraba.

The Awraba tribe were pre-islamically located in present-day western Algeria, around Cherchell and Algiers, though they were also scattered around, with a significant presence Constantine. They are considered to be descendants of the ancient Numidians who resisted Roman and Byzantine domination.

Fast forward to the 7th century, during the Muslim conquest of North Africa: here again, the Awraba resisted the Arab expansion under the leadership of their king, Kusaila. At the time, they experienced their golden age. However, after his defeat and death, the influence of the Awraba began to shift as they ended up embracing Islam, fading away and moving further west, into Morocco.

By the time Idris ben Abdallah fled the Abassid caliphate and arrived in Volubilis as we mentioned, the Awraba had settled in the region of northern Morocco.

As a leader, Ishaq was naturally seeking power, and quite obviously, had an eye for opportunity. When he saw that Idris I was probably more than just a man on the run, he realized that this fugitive, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, had a legitimacy to him, something that could speak to the few local tribes that had embraced Islam, with the relatively recent Arab invasions. Ishaq knew the Maghreb region wasn’t a unit, far from that : it was torn between rival confederacies of tribes, but also, starting to transform with the Muslim conquest — though Islam actually took a while to really settle in North Africa.

While Islam had technically arrived in the region with the Arabs in the 7th century, local Amazigh tribes had not fully embraced the new religion. Matter of fact, Historians agree to say the religion took quite some time to settle, sink its claws in North Africa – centuries. Many tribes still followed their own beliefs. A few Amazigh noblesmen however, aristocrats, had already converted to Kharijism, an Islamic school of thought if you will, that opposed the mainstream Sunni rulers, particularly the Umayyads, and later the Abbasids.

The Imazighen people had also grown very hostile toward Arab rulers — and understandbly so. Earlier Arab attempts to impose Islamic rule had been met with the greatest resistance, most notably during the Great Berber Revolt between 740 and 743. Under the rule of the Banu Umayya elite, Amazigh tribes had enough. They were frustrated by the inequality and heavy taxation they were suffering. Their indignation prompted them to rally behind a leader: Maysara al-Matghari.

And here's what Ibn Khaldoun had to say about that very tumultuous time :

The acts of oppression and tyranny of the Banu Umayya having finally become unbearable, the Imazighen gave in to the instigations of Maysara. In the year 122 (740CE), they killed Omar-Ibn-Abd-Allah, governor of Tangier [...] Maysara then went to the Souss and killed Ismail-Ibn-Obeid-Allah, emir of that province. [...] The fire of the revolt spread immediately throughout the Maghreb and to such an extent that the Khalifa of the East could no longer enforce their authority there.

Maysara formed an alliance with the tribes of Ghomara, Meknassa, Berghouata and others, and defeated troops that were coming from Andalusia to help the Arabs. Maysara then declared himself caliph, before he was mysteriously assassinated by his own troops. The rebellion continued after his death.

Let’s go back to the Awraba — Faced with the reality we just described, of a chaotic tribal network of alliances, in the mind of Ishaq Idris had the potential to unite people under a single Islamic ruler – and most importantly, under his tribe’s administration.

Idris ben Abdallah on his end was quick to understand the opportunity and significance of the support he was being shown by Ishaq. The Awraba were big in the region, with a centuries-old influence that stretched all away across North Africa. The fact they had embraced him with open arms likely emboldened him, to take on more… ambitious, pursuits.

With their backing and Ishaq as his guide, Idris ben Abdallah started to rally Amazigh tribes who had long felt disconnected from the eastern Caliphates. Because yes, though the land was still very much independent and still fighting the Arab invasions at the time, some Middle eastern troops had effectively established themselves in parts of the territory. Idris, though being an Arab himself, brought with him the idea of an Islamic state that could rise from their midst. An Islam that wasn’t imposed by foreign powers that knew nothing of North Africa, but rather led by someone who had become an integrate part of a local tribe, who seemingly shared their struggles, their vision.

This alliance between Idris and Ishaq Al Awrabi was the cornerstone upon which the new islamic state of Morocco would be built.

Uniting Tribes under the Banner of Islam

Soon enough, word spread across the region – as it does so well – of a sharif who was young, ambitious, sponsored by the legendary Awraba, and had arrived in Volubilis. And... it worked : tribes were either taking his side, folding by force, or restiting still, especially in the regions of Tamesna and Tadla. His reputation grew, and his reach extended.

With hiss newfound allies, Idris began to gather a small army. Together, him and Ishaq traveled from village to village. Ishaq used his knowledge of the local customs to connect with Amazigh people. His charisma and Idris's vision, or the opposite, spoke to many. Soon, people were rallying in numbers behind them.

They recognized his claim as an Imam. Being an Imam back then was more than a religious function: it was a political title, that was a short-cut for Islamic governance, and a free ticket to the hearts of believers. Idris Ben Abdallah built a persona: in the eyes of people, his aura was enhanced by al baraka – a perceived divine blessing, if you will.

The Forge of the First Moroccan Islamic State

The year was 789, and Idris began to consolidate his power. However, one thing needs to be said about the actual extent of his control over the region— it still is a matter of debate. Sources claim he led many many successful military campaigns, extended his influence over the Valley of Ouargha. Sure his reign was brief, yet it saw the minting of coins—one of the most powerful symbols of sovereignty and legitimacy. Coins were minted in his honor in Volubilis and Tudgha, which meant his authority in those parts of the territory isn’t up for discussion.

The Threat from the East

While Idris was establishing himself in the far west of the Islamic world, again, far away from the reach of the caliphs in Baghdad, the least we can say is that his success didn’t go unnoticed. His influence in the region was growing. And let’s not forget his claimed unfair advantage of being a descendant of the Prophet (pbuh). That claim alone made him a potential threat to the Abassid caliphate, which did not have that holy, sacred argument to assert their legitimacy. Harun al-Rashid, the Abbasid caliph at the time, saw Idris’ rule as a challenge to his own authority.

Harun al Rashid and the Fall of Idris I

In 791 or 793, Idris’ reign came to a tragic and quite unexpected end. According to historical accounts, Harun al-Rashid couldn’t contain his animosity towards him any further. The threat that Idriss ben Abdallah represented was too obvious.

And, you know what they say; all’s fair, in love, and war, especially when you’re a caliph.

So Harun Al Rashid called upon one of his viziers: Yahya ben Halid al-Barmaki, and demanded that he got rid of Idris ben Abdallah for him, with any means he deemed necessarily. Yahya took matters into his own hands, and commissionned one of his most trusted men to him: Sulayman ben Gharir, with the assassination of Idris I.

Sulayman traveled all the way from al Hijaz to Morocco and disguised himself as a loyal servant. Slowly but surely, the assassin won the trust of Idris al Akbar, but also that of Rashid, who like we mentioned earlier had been his protector, his shield, ever since he first set foot on North-African soil.

Sulayman had acquired a rare poison from a herbalist, probably in the market somewhere. He poured a couple drops of the poison in the food or the beverage, or maybe even the clothes of Idris al Akbar, who knows. But the result remains: the condition of Idris al Akbar worsened overtime.

What is certain, is that he died a young man as he ruled for just over three and a half years. Plus, to this day, the exact year of his passing remains a mystery. While we can’t say with chest when he died, we know for a fact when he no longer lived. In fact, the last sign of life Idris Al Akbar left in the historical record was upon his return from Tlemcen, where he had just won a victory and built a mosque, in the third month of the year 174 in the Islamic calendar, which is equavalent to the year 791.

After that, Moulay Idris al Akbar completley went off the radar, sight unseen – and overtime, fewer and fewer coins were minted with his name, which solidifies our belief he effectively died around that time.

An Unfinished Legacy

Though Idris I died childless, leaving behind only a pregnant concubine named Kenza, his legacy was far from over. In 791, Kenza gave birth to their son, Idris II (802-852) who would continue his father’s mission and further cement the foundations of the Moroccan state.

After Idris’s death, remember his loyal servant Rashid, who had first brought him to the Maghreb? As it turns out, he took on the role of regent and protected the infant Idris II with his life, until the kid was old enough to rule (11 years-old).

The grave of Idris Al Akbar is located in Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, his first settlment in Morocco. It became a site of pilgrimage for centuries, not only for his status as the founder of the first Islamic Moroccan state but also for his prophetic lineage — and I don’t wanna hear “thats prohibited in Islam” — we know, we wouldn’t do that, but they didn’t take that into account, end of story, keep it moving please, the past doesn’t a care in the world for the way we judge it.

The First Act of Moroccan Sharifism

The descendants of Idris the First, all linked to the Prophet (pbuh) ever since he made that claim himself, were treated with reverence thorough the centuries. The whole thing became intertwinted with Moroccan sharifism. For a long time in Morocco, to claim descendance from the Prophet (pbuh) was to wear a badge of honor, of proximity to the sacred ; a social currency of immense value if you will, that bestowed upon its bearers a certain influence and respect. Wearing it often translated into influence. Leadership roles, marriage prospects, judicial authority, conflict mediation – all these functions were naturally entrused to "shorfa", individuals of sharifian descent. Even as power shifted to other ruling families, the importance of sharifian lineage kept on living. The Alaoui dynasty which rose to power in the 17th century with Moulay Rachid and remains Morocco's ruling family, built their legitimacy on this very foundation. But sharifism was not confined to the royal court: it diffussed within Moroccan society at every level. It wasn't uncommon for tribes that had converted to Islam, families or regions to rally around those individuals that claimed this shorfa lineage. Even the deceased shorfa were venerated. It fed the Moroccan folklore, crafted stories oral traditions of miraculous deeds or flawless piety, moral rectitude. Even today, some Moroccan families proudly trace their ancestry back to the Idrisid line.

The mausoleum built for Idris by Sultan Ismail ben Cherif between the 16th and 18th centuries remains one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country.

For centuries, each year, a moussem—a religious festival in honor of Idris I— kept on drawing thousands of Moroccans, commemorating the man behind the first Muslim dynasty of Morocco: the Idrissids, which built the foundations of a self-administrated state.