Yusuf ibn Tashfin

Yusuf ibn Tashfin (Arabic يوسف بن تاشفين, DMG Yūsuf b Tāšfīn; . * 1009, † September 2, 1106 ) was a ruler of the Almoravids ( 1061-1106 ). Man says he has never shown his face and always hidden.

Yusuf was cousin of Abu Bakr ibn Umar Almoravidenführers (1056-1087) and was entrusted by this in 1070 with the reign in Morocco, as Abu Bakr had to knock down a tribal rebellion in the Sahara. Yusuf took advantage of the absence of Abu Bakr and began the organization of a government and the establishment of a mercenary army. When Abu Bakr returned, he renounced in 1073 on the power struggle with Yusuf and withdrew into the Sahara. Yusuf ibn Tashfin thus became the founder of the dynasty of the Taschfiniden, who held the leadership of the Almoravids until 1147.

In the aftermath Yusuf subjugated the principalities of Miknasa and Magrawa, captured 1075 Fes, Tangier 1077 and 1083 Ceuta. Already in 1081 the western Algeria had been subjected to to Algiers until the Almoravids from the Hammadids ( Sanhaja ) using the Banu Hilal were stopped in 1082.

Already in 1082 the Almoravids had been asked to intervene in Andalusia against the Christian kingdoms. Only after a new request from the Abbadids, the Aftasiden and the Zirids of Granada, Yusuf followed this suggestion, landed in Andalusia and destroyed on October 23, 1086 at the Battle of Zallaqa (Spanish Sagrajas ) the army of Castile. After a renewed campaign in 1088 failed due to lack of support of the Taifa kingdoms, 1090 the Zirids of Granada and the Abbadids of Seville were overthrown and annexed to 1095 the other Taifa kingdoms. Only Valencia at El Cid ( to 1102 ) and Saragossa under the Hudiden (up to 1110) were initially able to maintain their independence.

1098 recognized the Abbasids Yusuf ibn Tashfin to the title " amir al - muslimin " ( prince of the Muslims). Under Yusuf began an extensive building activity, but mainly due to the expansion of capital Marrakech focused ( including the construction of the mosque ). In addition, mosques in Fez, Tlemcen ( 1082 ) and Algiers ( 1096 ) were built.

Successor Yusuf ibn Ali ibn Tashfin was his son Yusuf ( 1106-1143 ).