أوضاع مسلمي صقلية أثناء رحلتي ابن حوقل (362ه/972م) وابن جبير (581ه/1184م)

The Situation of Muslims in Sicily during the Journeys of Ibn Hawqal (362 AH/972 AD) and Ibn Jubayr (581 AH/1184 AD)

Abstract

The situation of Muslims in Sicily is addressed by two significant testimonies: the first is by the geographer traveler Ibn Hawqal, who visited it in the year (972 AD/362 AH) during the rule of the Arab Kalbid Dynasty loyal to the Fatimid Caliphate, and the second is by Ibn Jubayr, the famous traveler who reached it in the year (1184 AD/581 AH) during the reign of King William II, when the Normans took control of the island.

Ibn Hawqal directed harsh criticism towards the Sicilian Muslims, predicting the imminent collapse of their rule. He described them with the worst traits, namely: their lack of unity and cohesion due to the intense tribal rivalry between the Yemenis and the Mudharis, the conflict and competition between the Arabs and Berbers, and their tendency to rebel against each other and overthrow their rulers. He also described them with other bad traits, notably: lack of understanding, intelligence, and sanitation, as well as being predominantly hypocritical, deceitful, ignorant and lazy. Moreover, whilst the abundant water resources on the island, they relied heavily on imported food.

Fortunately,bad weather conditions forced Ibn Jubayr to stay in Sicily for three more months, allowing him to visit many other places on the island, and observe the conditions of the remaining Muslims there: firstly, the Normans granted the population of main cities protection and peace; on contrary to the inhabitants of other areas, who were enslaved. Ultimately, slavery was forced upon all Muslims, including the nobles, leaving them with only two options either converting to Christianity or deportation. This deeply affected Ibn Jubayr, who mourned their suffering and cursed the king both secretly and openly. Soon after his departure, horrendous massacres against the island's Muslims erupted.

This study addresses the conditions of Muslims in Sicily as reported in the testimonies of Ibn Hawqal and Ibn Jubayr. It aims to explore the history of Muslim Sicily and draw lessons from it. The study relied on the historical, descriptive, and inductive method.

The study aims to answer the following research question: How were the political, economic, and social conditions of the Muslims in Sicily during the journeys of Ibn Hawqal and Ibn Jubayr? As for the main materials relied upon in the study, they are: "The Book of Roads and Kingdoms" and "The Book of the Earth” by Ibn Hawqal, as well as “The Book and Journey of lbn Jubair" by Ibn Jubayr al-Kinani. The study's results include the following points:

• Muslims of Sicily suffered from internal divisions that weakened their rule.
• Initially, the Normans granted Muslims limited religious freedoms, but eventually enslaved or compulsorily displaced them.
• The Normans’ tactic was pragmatic, aiming to strengthen power rather than preserve the Arab Islamic identity, as their strategy gradually changed from coexistence to persecution.