Feraj Ben Feraj and Ibn Ummaya the revolt leaders rode around the mountainous region of Al Pujarras with Al Qur'an and giving out loud calls of Shahada asking sincere Muslims to stop pretending to be Christians and proclaim their sincerity to Islam. Ferag Ben Ferag and Ibn Ummaya assured the Muslims assistance was already on its way from Osmani Khilafah, the greatest power of that time as there were numerous Osmani military experts present among them. This turned out to be exact initiative the oppressed secret Muslims were longing for and tens of thousands immediately ventured out.
Background (Back to 1492 after the last Muslim power collapsed in Spain)
As Al Qur'an and other Islamic texts were openly burned the Muslims saw a grim warning for themselves. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims were then burned alive, butchered and dumped into rivers. Many young boys were given to Catholic priests while millions fled to Maghreb and Tunis. Only those Muslims who accepted Christianity were given permission to stay. These people were called Moriscos and were kept under close scrutiny. When it became known they were still speaking Arabic, practicing Islam and reading Qur'an secretly, strong measures were taken. On Friday , doors were to be kept open, so Salat Al Jumuah cannot be prayed. They were to eat pork and drink Alcohol to prove their christianity. Their children would have to be baptized. These Moriscos (secret Muslims) were also kept for another purpose. They were intellectuals, artisans, skilled farmers and traders. Spanish economy depended on them for survival.
Osmani Khilafah (Ottoman Empire) emerges as a World Power
King Philip ll realized it was only a matter of time Osmans would intervene in order to help their Muslim brothers and invade Spain itself to restore Al Andalus. The Osmans were already controlling the entire Mediterranean Ocean with their fearsome Admiral Khairuddin Pasha and they were invading much of Eastern Europe like Thunder Birds.
Hence it made complete sense to King Philip ll to immediately get rid of the secret Muslims.
King Philip ll starts New Persecution
Situation reached to climax when King Philip ll was informed that the Moriscos (secret Muslims) in Al Pujarras had already been armed and Osmani Military experts are within them. There was also discussion going on in Istanbul to assist the Muslims of Al Pujarras to invade Spain again and restore Al Andalus Islamic Spain.
King Philip ll immediately issued an edict requiring the Moriscos (secret Muslims) to give up their Arabic names, dress, cuisine and language. Their children would have to be educated by Christian priests.
The Muslim Revolts (1568-1571)
On Christmas Eve 1568, expecting Military assistance from Osmani Khilafah, the Muslims revolted under their leader Feraj Ben Feraj and Ibn Ummaya. The Muslim rebels went around crying out in revenge for the hundreds of thousands of Muslims killed earlier and for the destruction of Al Andalus. The rebels destroyed Churches and executed priests who earlier molested Muslim children.
King Philip ll asked his illegitimate brother Don Juan of Austria to immediately gather Austrians, Italians and French soldiers to face the rebels and the Osmani Khilafah invasion of Spain, which was now fully expected. Christian forces with best Italian, Spanish and French troops gathered at the north of Al Pujarras ready for a showdown.
The Revolt Ends
The Muslim rebels in Al Pujarras began their revolt expecting help from Osmani Khilafah. However at this crucial moment, the Osmani Sultaan Selim the Drunk, made the disastrous decision to not to send troops to help the Muslims of Al Pujarras but to invade Cyprus instead. Sultan Selim was a drunkard, a playboy and had made the decision intoxicated.
This turned out to be death sentence for whatever remained of the glorious civilization of Al Andalus. Taking full opportunity, Christian army came thundering down on the the Muslim rebels who nevertheless gave a brave resistance.
Aftermath
Muslim women and children who took part in the revolt were tortured with utmost cruelty. Many boiled alive while the Muslims who again pretended to be Christians and did not take part in the revolt were separated from their children and were sent all over Northern Spain.
The Final Extinction of Al Andalus
King Philip lll in 1609 decided to erase and wipe out Muslims completely with the expense of harming Spain's economy and began his systematic annhilation.
One Million Moriscos (secret Muslims) were gathered from all over Spain. Their children separated and given to Catholic Priests. Their wealth was seized, tied behind with ropes and marched off.
Most of these Muslims never made it to Maghreb and Tunis. Many women were seized, raped and taken slaves. Many others became victims of starvation, dehydration and robbers.
A few handful made it to the North of Maghreb in the city of Tetuan where you can witness the glory of Islamic Spain. The Architecture, the flamenco music , you can somehow feel the sadness , agony and most importantly the richness in this music. The Guitar (Al Qitara), the Spanish Cuisine, the 10,000 Arabic words in Spanish language are all reminders of this greatest civilization which advanced in Science, in surgery, dentistry, medicine, flushing toilets etc.
May Allah bless all those that died at the end of Islamic Spain.
Thousands upon thousands gathered and cried out for revenge for the destruction of Islamic Spain and mass murder of Muslims.
The destruction of Islamic Spain is a stark warning to all those Muslims who deviates from the Deen and Sunnah. It is a reminder when Deen and Islam is followed, Muslims will create the greatest civilization and when they deviate, indulge in worldly pleasure and forget Imaan, women lose their modesty, even practice sodomy, the same fate will occur. Learn from History.
