Al-Rashid of Morocco

Who was Al-Rashid of Morocco?

Mulai al-Rashid was Sultan of Morocco from 1666 to 1672. He has been called the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty.

It was his father Moulay Ali Cherif who took power in Tafilalt around 1630. In 1635 al-Rashid's brother Ismail Ibn Sharif succeeded their still living father. After the death of their father, Mulai Mohammed brought Tafilalt, the Draa River valley and the Sahara region under Alouite power. However due to internal feuding war broke out between the brothers and Mohammed was killed by troops of al-Rashid in 1664.

With a small army al-Rashid ruled the east of Morocco. He was able to expand his power and seize Taza. In 1666 he marched into Fes and ended the rule of the zaouia of Dila, a Berber movement which ruled the northern part of Morocco. After subjugating the northern coastal areas of Morocco he also succeeded in capturing Marrakech in 1669. He occupied the Sus and the Little Atlas, which settled the Alaouite power over entire Morocco.

He died in Marrakech in 1672 after a fall from his horse, and was succeeded by his half-brother Ismail Ibn Sharif.

Al-Rashid was sometimes known as "Tafiletta" by the English.