Abbad II al-Mu'tadid

Who was Abbad II al-Mu'tadid?

Abbad II al-Mu'tadid, a member of the Abbadid dynasty, was the second independent Muslim ruler of Seville in Al-Andalus. His father, Abu al-Qasim Muhammad ibn Abbad, had established the Muslim taifa of Seville, and Abbad became its ruler when Abu al-Qasim died in 1042. He initially had amicable relations with his neighbour Ferdinand I, Count of Castile and King of León, and tolerated the Christian faith in his own lands. Among other acts of friendship, he authorized the transfer of Saint Isidore's relics from Seville to the Basilica of San Isidoro of León.

Al-Mu'tadid expanded his territory by conquering numerous Islamic taifas, including those of Mértola, Huelva, Algeciras, Ronda and Arcos. He also fought against the Zirids of Granada and the Aftasids of Badajoz, but with no conclusive results. In 1063 Ferdinand I appeared with an army on the outskirts of Seville, and Abbad was forced to acknowledge his suzerainty and to pay him tribute.

The reign of Abbad II al-Mu'tadid ended in 1069 with his death.