| Hisham I Al-Reda هشام بن عبد الرحمن الداخل | |
|---|---|
 Dirham of Hisham I of Córdoba | |
| 2ndEmir of Córdoba | |
| Reign | 6 October 788[1] – 16 April 796 |
| Predecessor | Abd al-Rahman I |
| Successor | al-Hakam I |
| Born | April 26, 757 Córdoba |
| Died | April 16, 796(796-04-16) (aged 38)[2] Córdoba |
| Issue | Al-Hakam I |
| Dynasty | Umayyad (Marwanid) |
| Father | Abd ar-Rahman I |
| Mother | Halul |
| Religion | Islam |
Hisham IAl-Reda ibn Abd ar-Rahman (Arabic:هشام بن عبد الرحمن الداخل) was the secondEmir of Cordoba, ruling from 788 to 796 inal-Andalus.[3]
Hisham was born April 26, 757 inCordoba. He was the first son ofAbd al-Rahman I (r. 756-788) and his wife, Halul, and the younger half brother of Suleiman.
At the beginning of his reign, in 788, he faced rebellions from his brothers, Suleiman and 'Abd Allah.[4]
Faced with Carolingian penetration south across thewestern and eastern Pyrenees, in 793 he called ajihad against the Christian Franks, sent over troops to Girona and Narbonne, but those strongholds stood firm. The Umayyad general Abd al-Malik ibn Abd al-Wahid ibn Mughith was more fortunate on his approach toCarcassonne, where he defeatedLouis the Pious' Carolingian mentorWilliam of Orange. However, surprisingly, the expedition did not advance deeper into Carolingian territory, but resulted in hefty loot and numerous slaves, which in turn provided the funds to expand theGreat Mosque of Cordoba[5] and build many mosques.
As of 794, his generals, the above-mentioned Abd al-Malik and his brother Abd al-Karim ibn Abd al-Wahid ibn Mughith, campaigned every year of his reign against the northern principalities, namelyÁlava, Old Castile, and Asturias, deep into the last's newly established capital city ofOviedo (794). The city in turn was sacked.Alfonso II of Asturias fled, and initiated contacts withCharlemagne. These expeditions didn't aim to destroy the northern Christian principalities, but seem to have been a goal in themselves, raids for the purpose of amassing loot and re-asserting Cordovan military superiority over both restive localAndalusian garrisons and lords prone to detachment, theKingdom of Asturias, and theBasques.
Hisham died in 796 C.E. at the age of forty, after a rule of eight years.[6] He was a prototype ofUmar II, and strove to establish the Islamic way of life, living simply and avoiding ostentation. He was a God-fearing man and was known for his impartial justice and sound administration. After his death, 'Abd Allah returned from exile and claimedValencia and Suleiman claimedTangiers against Hisham's son,al-Hakam I.[6]
Hisham was dubbed “the just.”[citation needed]
Hisham was a model of righteousness and a loyal prince. He lived in hopes of salvation and at the time of his succession to the throne, he believed, on the basis of his horoscope, that he had just eight years to live. He, therefore, abandoned all earthly enjoyments and sought redemption through charitable giving. He wore the simplest clothes, he would walk alone through the roads of Cordova, mingle with the ordinary people, visit the sick, enter the dwellings of the poor, and with genuine concern showed interest in all of their needs, requests, and complaints. At night, even in the pouring rain, he would take food from his palace and bring it to the poor. He was prompt in his religious duties, he urged his subjects to follow his example, and on rainy nights would dispense his wealth to those taking part in evening services at the mosques. After eight years, Hisham died as predicted and left to his successor a respectable kingdom.[citation needed]
Hisham I of Córdoba Cadet branch of theBanu Quraish | ||
| Preceded by | Emir of Córdoba 788–796 | Succeeded by |
| Caliphs of Damascus (661–750) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Emirs of Córdoba (756–929) | ||
| Caliphs of Córdoba (929–1031) | ||
[H] indicatesHammudid usurpers | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| Other | |
