Author: Abdullah Jallow

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

What prompted us to start this series was an incredible and repugnant nonsense uttered by a French ideologue who says that Africa should show gratitude to France! Gratitude for what exactly? For 147 years of plundering, violence, oppression, exploitation, cruelty, theft, and arrogance? This is why none deserves Imam As-Sadi’s, may Allah have mercy on him, rebuke against the oppressors more than the French Colonialists. He said: “What kind of progress is this? A progress that turns its people into vicious wild animals, marked by oppression, annihilation, and the colonisation of weaker nations while stripping them of their rights?” He also noted that their so-called development is disconnected from submission to Allah and the religion He ordained, leading to harm and resulting in savagery and barbarism, with outcomes that bring about destruction, ruin, and unparalleled evils. [1]

The inhabitants of the kingdom were very dark-skinned. Its king Mansa Musa strengthened Islam through what his brother Sulayman had gathered from the lands of Sudan. He built mosques, established congregational prayers and the call to prayer, and brought scholars of the Maliki Mad’hab to his land, ensuring the authority of the the Muslim sultan and seeking understanding of the religion. The ruler of this kingdom was known among the people of Egypt as the King of Takrur, though he would preferred to be called the owner of Mali, as it is the more prestigious title and he was more renowned by it. He was the most powerful among the Muslim kings of Sudan, possessing the largest territory, the greatest army, the strongest might, the most wealth, the best condition, the most formidable against enemies, and the most capable of bestowing gifts. The regions included in this kingdom were Ghana, Zafun, Terinka, Takrur, Singhana, Darmuda, Zaga, Kabra, Kuku amd other regions.

The name given to all these regions was Mali, which served as the base for the provinces of the kingdom, consisting of fourteen provinces with cities, villages, and districts. The kingdom was square-shaped, measuring four months or more in length and the same in width. It was located south of Marrakesh and the interior of the enemy’s territory, extending southwest to the ocean, with its length from Muli to Tora, which is on the coast. Most of the area was inhabited, except for a few places. In the domain of the Sultan of this kingdom, there was a barren land of gold, from which they brought gold every year. The inhabitants of the barren land were untaught disbelievers.

In the northern part of Mali, there were tribes of white Berbers under the rule of their Sultan, namely: Yennayer, Madira, and others. They had leaders who ruled over them, except Yennayer, as they were ruled by kings from among them under the authority of the ruler of Mali. Additionally, in the same region, there were people of different faiths, including some who consume human flesh, some who reverted to Islam, and others who remain in their beliefs. The The kingdom consisted of several palaces surrounded by a wall. A branch of the Nile encircled this city on all four sides. In some areas, it could be waded through when the water was low, while in others, it could only be crossed by boats. The construction of this city was made of clay, similar to the walls of the gardens in Damascus. It was built by layering clay to a height of about two-thirds of a cubit, then left to dry before adding another layer, repeating this process until completion. Its roofs were made of wood and reeds, with most roofs being domes.

All those lands were lush with palm trees, and their mountains were filled with thick wild trees, where a single tree could provide shade for five hundred knights. Their main food sources were rice and a type of grain called ‘quni’, which is a fine, fluffy substance that resembles mustard seeds or is even smaller. It is white, sweetened with honey, then ground and kneaded, and consumed. They also had wheat, which was scarce, and corn, which served as food for both them and their horses, as well as fodder for their animals. They possessed horses of the Tatar Akadish breed, and all their mules were very small in size. Likewise, their cattle, sheep, and donkeys were the finest creatures. They cultivated a plant called ‘qafi’, which consists of thin pods buried in the ground that grew until they become thick. Its taste was similar to taro but distinct from pepper. It grew in the open, and if the king learned that someone has stolen any of it, he would cut off their head and hang it in place of what was taken. This was a tradition passed down through generations. They also grew beans, squash, turnips, onions, garlic, eggplants, and cabbage. However, eggplants and cabbage were rare among them. Wild molokhia also grew there.

They had a variety of garden fruits, particularly the Jiz, which was abundant in their region. Wild trees bearing edible and pleasant fruits also grew there, including a tree called Tadmout that produced something resembling large pods. Inside these pods was a substance similar to fine wheat flour, which is very white and has a delicious taste. When dried, it was used in henna, turning it black like ammonium. They stored this tree for food and firewood. There was also a tree known as Qumi that bore fruit similar to quince, with a delightful taste reminiscent of bananas, and it has seeds that resemble cartilage. There was a tree named Farini that produced fruit similar to lemons, with a taste akin to pears. Inside, it contains a fleshy seed. This seed, when fresh, could be pierced to extract a substance similar to ghee, which was sour. Its seeds were used for making soap. If this ghee like thing was to be consumed, it must be carefully heated. The method involved placing it over a gentle fire, covering it, and allowing it to boil until it reaches a strong simmer. The person managing it should keep a close watch, testing it periodically, and adding small amounts of water gradually while it remains covered until it reached the desired strength. Afterward, it should be left to cool and can be used in cooking like ghee. If the cover is unexpectedly removed, it may bubble over and rise to the ceiling, and in some cases, the heat could ignite a fire that burns the house, or even escalate to a larger fire that could devastate the area. This fat would burn any skin it came into contact with, and it can only be contained in pumpkin shells.

In this region, there were wild fruits that resemble various cultivated fruits, but they were bitter and unpalatable, consumed only by the local Sudanese, as they formed a significant part of their diet. Additionally, salt was available here, unlike in the coastal areas and what is beyond that.

In their deserts, the buffaloes were wild, resembling beasts, and their hunting method involved capturing young ones that they raised at home. When they wished to hunt buffaloes, they took one to the buffaloes’ area so it can see and approach it, becoming familiar with the species. Once it is accustomed, they shoot it with a poisoned arrow, then they cut out the poison spots. A single goat could give birth to seven or eight kids at once. In their deserts, there were various wild animals such as donkeys, cattle, deer, ostriches, and others like them. Elephants, lions, and tigers also existed, but they only harmed those who provoked or disturbed them, and they did not interfere with a person unless surprised. Thety also had an animal called Tirma which is a hermaphrodite, the size of a wolf, and whenever it finds a small human or adolescent at night, it snatches and eats them, but during the day, it does not harm anyone and does not approach a fully grown man. It bellows like a bull when it wants to charge. It also scavenges on the dead and consumes them. Its teeth are like those of a crocodile.

There were enormous crocodiles in the Nile, some measuring over ten arms in length. Its bile was valuable and is taken to the treasury of their king. Elephants were in the neighbouring lands of the disbelievers. The sea in this entire region was abundant, especially in the land of Ghana, where disputes were often brought before their king. It is said that someone was killed by sorcery, whether it be a brother, son, daughter, or sister, the killer is sentenced to retribution, and the sorcerer is executed.

The sultan of this kingdom sits on a large platform in his palace, known as ‘Yinbi,’ with a large ebony throne that resembles a grand council chamber. The platform is adorned with the tusks of elephants on all sides. He possessed weapons made entirely of gold: a sword, a spear, a bow, and a book. He wore a large pair of trousers tailored from about twenty pieces, and no one dares to approach him. Behind him stood around thirty slaves from the Turks and others purchased from Egypt. His commanders sat around him under two large canopies, to his right and left, with notable knights of his army seated nearby.

The king Mansa Musa was asked by an Arab Maliki scholar whether he has enemies, so he said: “Yes, I have fierce enemies in Sudan, similar to the Tartars for you. There is a resemblance between them and the Tartars in that they have broad faces and flat noses, they are skilled in archery, and their horses are swift with flat noses. We have had encounters with them, and they possess great strength in their archery. There are disputes between us and them, and wars occur intermittently”.

He was asked how he came came to power. He replied: “The previous ruler did not believe that the ocean has an end, and he was eager to discover it. He prepared hundreds of ships filled with men, and an equal number filled with gold, water, and provisions sufficient for years. He instructed those on board: ‘Do not return until you reach the end, or until your supplies and water run out’. They set sail, and their absence was prolonged, with no one returning for a long time. Eventually, only one ship returned. We asked their leader about their journey and what they encountered. He said: ‘Yes O Sultan. We traveled for a long time until we came across a strong valley in the depths of the sea. I was the last of those ships. As for the other ships, they advanced, but once they reached that place, they did not return or reappear, and we did not know what happened to them. As for me, I turned back from my position and did not enter that valley’. The Sultan was skeptical of this account. He then prepared two thousand ships, one thousand for himself and the men he took with him, and one thousand for water and provisions. He appointed me as his deputy and sailed into the ocean with those who were with him. That was the last time he was seen, along with all his companions. The kingdom then fell to me”.

It is said that during his transit through Egypt on his way to Hajj, he maintained a consistent pattern in worship and devotion to Allah. He and those with him exhibited similar behavior, dressed well, and displayed tranquility and dignity. He was generous, charitable, and known for his many acts of kindness. He left his homeland with a hundred wasqs of gold, which he spent on his pilgrimage, from his country to Egypt, then in Egypt, and finally to Makkah and Madinah, both on his way there and back.

An Excerpt from “The Mali Kingdom As Narrated By Muslim Geographers” pages 43-61

To be continued…InShaAllah

[1] Excerpt from Al-Adillah al-Qawaatiq Wal-Baraaheen Fee Ib’taal Usool al-Mul’hideen 44

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Sultan Abdul Hamid II

continued….

Russia aimed to gain access to warm waters for religious, economic, and geographical reasons. Peter the Great (1672 – 1725) stressed in his will to the Russians, especially in paragraphs nine, eleven, and thirteen, the importance of a civilizational fight against the Ottomans until the Ottoman Empire is no more. Peter the Great states in paragraph nine of his will:

“As we get closer to Constantinople and India, it is clear that whoever controls Constantinople has effectively taken charge of the world. Thus, it is crucial to persist in the conflict against the Ottomans”.

The eleventh paragraph states:

“We are working with Austria to drive the Ottomans out of Aurea”.

The twelfth paragraph notes:

“After God, or in relation to the Ottoman territories, we will assemble our forces, our fleets will navigate into the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea, and we will initiate discussions with France and the Austrian Empire about the partitioning of the world between us”.

Russia showed a strong interest in that decree, and under Sultan Abdul Hamid II’s rule, many revolutions took place with backing from Russia and various European nations in the Balkans, Greece, and other areas of the Ottoman Empire. Their efforts didn’t end there; they also aimed to create independent Christian nations like Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Greece. Following the Ottomans’ significant victories in the Balkans, Russia geared up for war and then announced a relentless conflict against the Ottoman Empire. Romania formed an alliance with Russia, drawing the Ottomans into a fierce confrontation with the Russians. The Russian forces crossed the Danube River and took control of multiple cities that belonged to the Ottomans, such as “Turnu” and “Nicopole,” which are now situated in Bulgaria.

Moreover, the Russians captured several strategic locations and crossings that lead to the Balkans. Sultan Abdul Hamid made important adjustments in the command of the Ottoman forces to resist the Russian invasion. The Russians tried to capture the city of (Balkan), now situated in Bulgaria. During that period, Uthman Pasha valiantly faced them, pushing them back in defeat and regaining the vital crossings to the Balkans. However, the brave Ottoman commander initiated another assault with a greater number of troops. Still, that notable Ottoman leader effectively drove the Russians away again, leading the Ottoman Sultan to release a special decree commending that commander.

In response to this resilience, the Russians sought to change their strategy for capturing the city. They enacted a siege policy designed to block supplies from reaching the Ottoman armies positioned there. At the same time, they strengthened their forces, with the Russian Tsar personally preparing for the upcoming battle, and the Prince of Romania forming an alliance with Russia. He brought along 100,000 troops, which altered the military balance in favour of the Russians, whose forces numbered over 150,000. They laid siege on three fronts against the Ottoman troops. However, the besieged Ottomans, commanded by Uthman Pasha, exhibited remarkable resilience. Despite having around 50,000 fighters, they crafted a brilliant plan for a counteroffensive against the enemy’s besieging lines, aiming for either victory and relief from the siege or martyrdom (InShaaAllah).

Uthman Pasha commanded his troops against the enemy, who were celebrating and rejoicing. Many of them died as martyrs (InShaAllah) at the hands of the Russian forces; however, they succeeded in breaking through the first and second lines of the besiegers, seizing the artillery within. He suffered some injuries at the third line, which ignited a strong rumour among his men regarding his martyrdom (InShaAllah). This news demoralised them, prompting an attempt to retreat to the city. Yet, some Russian troops had already penetrated it, leaving the Ottoman soldiers vulnerable to various enemy fire. As a result, they were forced to surrender to the Russian forces. This took place in the year 1294 AH, towards the end of 1877. The Ottoman commander, despite his injuries, surrendered to the Russians, who respected and commended his courage and bravery. The chief commander of the Russian troops even congratulated him for his outstanding defense, reinstating his rank in acknowledgment of his fighting abilities and determination. In December of that same year, 1877, he was taken to Russia, where the Tsar welcomed him with full honours, and not treating him as a prisoner.

The victories of the Russians inspired the Serbs in the Balkans to act against the Ottomans, prompting their forces to assault Ottoman strongholds in the area, which diverted focus from the Russians, who were concurrently aiming to seize new lands. In fact, the Russians managed to take Sofia (now the capital of Romania) and continued their advance; they moved south towards the former Ottoman capital, getting within just fifty kilometers of Istanbul, creating a critical predicament for the Ottoman Empire. Simultaneously, many battles were occurring between the Ottomans and the Russians on the Asian front, where the Russians advanced into Anatolia. Nevertheless, the Ottomans managed to defeat and chase them back into Russian land. Under the leadership of Ahmad Mukhtar Pasha, the Ottomans won over six battles against the Russians, however, the Russians renewed their offensives in those regions, once again focusing on specific areas within Anatolia. In the year 1295 AH, they succeeded in defeating the Ottoman forces and taking control. Given the Ottoman setbacks in both Europe and Asia, the Ottoman Empire was forced to agree to a truce with the Russians and enter negotiations, resulting in the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano in 1878. This treaty was finalised on March 3, 1878, and was signed by “Saffet Pasha” on behalf of the Ottoman Empire, who was visibly emotional. It was unavoidable that this treaty would contain terms unfavourable to the Ottoman Empire.

An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Dawlah Al-Uthmaaniyyah Awaamil An-Nuhood Wa Asbaab As-Suqoot 6/454-456

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Sultan Abdul Hamid II

continued….

In 1293 AH (1876), the people of Montenegro and the Serbs encouraged Herzegovina to rise up against the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans were able to quell this rebellion. To deter European nations from intervening, Sultan Abdul Hamid enacted a decree that separated the judiciary from the executive branch. He also required that judges be elected by the local populace and instituted tax equality for both Muslims and Christians.

The residents were unhappy with the situation, leading them to return to revolution, which was also quelled. Nevertheless, Austria, which supported the revolution and aimed to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina, kept stirring up discontent against the Ottoman Empire. Austria worked alongside Russia, Germany, France, and England to pressure the Sultan into enacting reforms. He consented, but the Christians in Bosnia rejected this. This shows that the call for reforms was just a weak pretext; in reality, they sought to intervene both directly and indirectly in state matters to undermine and topple it.

The Bulgarian revolution took place at the same time as the uprising of Christians in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which received support from Austria and various European nations, especially Russia. In Bulgaria, societies were formed to promote Russian influence among Orthodox Christians and Slavs, with assistance from Russia, which provided them with arms. These societies actively encouraged the populations of Serbia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina to rise up against the Ottomans. When the Ottoman Empire moved some Circassian families, the Bulgarians objected, leading to a revolution that was backed by Russia and Austria with weapons and financial support. The Ottoman Empire was able to quell the uprising, which led European nations to circulate rumors about the atrocities committed by the Ottomans against Christians, despite the reality being quite the opposite. These rumors influenced European public sentiment against the Ottoman Empire, prompting European governments to call for stringent actions against the Ottomans, including granting self-governance to the Bulgarians and appointing a Christian governor for them.

The Russians, Germans, and Austrians pushed the Serbs and Montenegrins to wage war against the Ottomans, as Russia aimed to expand its borders towards Bulgaria. Meanwhile, Austria sought to extend its territory towards Bosnia and Herzegovina, promising support to these nations, including the Prince of Montenegro. Russian soldiers began to secretly flow into Serbia and Montenegro, and the Ottoman Empire managed to defeat the Serbs and their allies. This prompted European nations to intervene, demanding a ceasefire, or else a larger war would ensue.

Delegates from European nations convened in Istanbul and suggested to the state regarding its security: to split the Bulgarian territories into two provinces, appointing Christian governors, to establish an international committee to carry out the resolutions, to extend these privileges to the principalities of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well, and for the state to relinquish certain lands to Serbia and Montenegro. However, the Ottoman Empire dismissed these proposals and negotiated a separate peace with the Turks, leading to the retreat of its forces from Serbia, while the Ottoman and Serbian flags were hoisted as a symbol of Ottoman authority. Sultan Abdul Hamid II was convinced that the Western powers aimed to bring about the fall of the Ottoman Empire. In his memoirs, he stated: (During the conference of the great powers held in Istanbul, I observed their intentions, which were not as they claimed to secure the rights of Christian subjects, but rather to ensure their autonomy, followed by efforts for their complete independence, ultimately leading to the division of the Ottoman Empire.

They were working on dividing this goal into two aspects: inciting Christian families and disturbing the peace, thus these countries can protect them. Second, advocating conditionality to create division among ourselves, and unfortunately, they managed to find supporters among us who would serve both purposes. Sadly, some educated Ottoman youth could not distinguish between easy implementation and constitutional governance in a nation with national unity, and the impossibility of such governance in countries lacking national unity.

An Excerpt from ‘Ad-Dawlah Al-Uthmaaniyyah Awaamil An-Nuhood Wa Asbaab As-Suqoot. 6/451-453