Chapter 17: Conquests in Africa
Conquests in Africa:
In the year 49 AH, Mu’awiyah appointed Uqba ibn Nafi as commander over Egypt and Sudan.
He sent an additional force of ten thousand soldiers and ordered Uqba to push forward and bring all of north Africa under Muslim rule.
Background of Uqba ibn Nafi:
Uqba ibn Nafi was born in Makkah near the end of the Prophet’s life and he met the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when he was young, making him one of the companions.
Uqba ibn Nafi played a key role in the Muslim conquest of Algeria and Morocco.
Uqba in north Africa:
When Mu’awiyah gave him authority over Egypt and Sudan, Uqba devised a long-term plan to conquer north Africa and place it under Muslim governance.
Uqba ibn Nafi marched from Egypt towards Tunisia with an army, which included around ten thousand horsemen, with the number increasing from the Berbers, (ethnic groups of north Africa) who had already embraced Islam.
Uqba aimed to establish a permanent military base at the heart of north Africa and because of this, he founded the city of Kairouan (in modern Tunisia).
When he first reached the site of present-day Kairouan, he found it covered in bushes and trees.
Uqba then said to his companions: I have chosen this place because it is well away from the sea and the Roman ships cannot reach it and destroy it.
Uqba ibn Nafi ordered his army to begin clearing the land, but they were scared because the area was full of wild animals and pests.
Uqba then assembled his troops, among whom were eighteen companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
He called out to the creatures of the forest: O you lions, insects, reptiles and beasts! We are companions of the Messenger of Allah. We intend to reside here, so leave us and if we find any of you here we will kill them!
Allah SWT answered Uqba’s plea and the Muslims saw lions carrying off their cubs, and wolves and snakes leaving this area.
After witnessing this miracle, many Berbers (ethnic groups in north Africa), accepted Islam.
Uqba’s Dream About the Qiblah:
People began settling in Kairouan, where Uqba ibn Nafi set up a governor’s residence and built homes around it. He also ordered a mosque to be constructed, but initially did not know the direction of the Qiblah.
Uqba then had a dream in which he heard a voice say: Tomorrow, go to the mosque and you will hear a voice saying: Allahu Akbar. Follow the direction of the voice and that will be the Qiblah.
The next morning he heard the call, and this is how the Qiblah was established in Kairouan.
The city of Kairouan gave the Muslims a strong foundation from which to spread Islam in north Africa.
Despite being its founder, Uqba ibn Nafi was later replaced by another companion, Maslamah ibn Mukahllad, who was the governor of Egypt.
Uqba was summoned to Damascus and complained to Mu’awiyah about his removal.
After Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan died in 60 AH, his son Yazid reinstated Uqba as the commander of the army,
Uqba ibn Nafi’s Historic Advance:
Uqba ibn Nafi and a small army defeated a Roman force in the coastal mountains and captured many horses. After doing this, they moved on to Monastir (in Tunisia) and again defeated their army.
Uqba advanced to Tiaret (in Algeria), where more Byzantines were waiting and once more, Allah SWT granted him victory, and Uqba ibn Nafi brought the whole of present-day Algeria under Muslim rule.
The army then proceeded to Tangier (in Morocco), and Uqba continued pushing further through Morocco towards the Atlas Mountains, where he besieged the town of Aghmat near Marrakech.
The Muslim army kept advancing and reached the region of Sous in Morocco and Uqba finally reached the port of Agadir, where he took his horse into the ocean until the water rose up on his animal.
Uqba declared: O Allah! If the sea did not stop me, I would still ride on the unknown kingdom of the west, preaching your Oneness, defending Your faith and fighting the disbelievers!
This became one of the most famous moments in the history of the Islamic conquests.
Uqba ibn Nafi’s Death:
On the way back from Morocco, Uqba ibn Nafi faced a large army led by a Berber ruler named Kusaila.
Here, Uqba’s small army fought until they were all martyred in the year 63 AH near modern day Biskra in Algeria.
Uqba ibn Nafi is buried in a village called Sidi Okba.