Uqba Ibn Nafi: Conqueror Of North Africa.

 

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Today, we will discuss about one Umayyad Commander who conquer North Africa. He is conquer Atlas Mountain Territories and was expand Umayyad Territories to North Africa. How his role at Conquest Of North Africa?. And, how his controvertial policy when became Umayyad Governor at North Africa?. Ok, please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more infomations about Islamic History and Civilization. It is easy verb for you, but have big role for help our blog that focuss at Islamic History and Civilizations.

Uqba Ibn Nafi, born at Mecca, Saudi Arabia, one year before Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam moved from Mecca to Medina. Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam moved to Medina at 622 AD. So, maybe , Uqba born at 621 AD. He born from Clan Of Fihr, one branch tribe from Quraish Tribe.  At 642 AD, at era of Caliph Umar Ibn Khattab s goverment s era, Uqba join  Rashidun Army Commander Amr Ibn Ash at expedition to conquer Oase Of Zuwayla.  Uqba Ibn Nafi achieved Ghadamis , at Dessert Of Libya and  make relation with Tribe Of Luwata, one branch tribe from Berber Tribes ( native of North Africa).  Uqba Ibn Nafi still at Barqa and Zuwayla at Libya and he gathered with several Berber Peoples who was convert to Islam.

At 661 AD, Umayyad Caliphate established with Damascus as capital and Muawiya Ibn Abi Sufyan as first caliph. At 670 AD, Muawiya appointed Uqba as Umayyad Governor at North Africa. He will doing invasion to Ifriqiyya ( Modern Tunisia) . Byzantine Empire, at this era, cannot defend his territories at  Ifriqiyya. Byzantine Emperor, Constantine IV ( ruled 668-688 AD) must faced rebellion at Sicily.  And, Uqba bring 10.000 cavalry from Arabians and also Berber Warriors from Tribe Of Luwata who was convert to Islam.  According 14 TH Geographer, Yaqut al-Hamawi, who quoted by Hugh Kennedy, Uqba went to Ifriqiyya, and doing conquest with sword. Uqba spread Islam with sword, until many Berber Peoples at Ifriqiyya convert to Islam. Uqba also build new city at Ifriqiyya, Kairouan/Qayrawan for his army s basic after conquer Fortress Of Qayrawan, near city location.  At 675 AD, Uqba captured by his sucessor, Abu Muhajir and Uqba bring himself to Damascus.

According Hugh Kennedy, Abu Muhajir doesnt Arabian. He maybe Coptic, Greek, or Berber. He bring new army from Egypt and Abu Muhajir became new Governor at North Africa. He defeat one biggest Berber King from Tribe Of Awraba, Kusayla and can invited Kusayla convert to Islam.Kusayla convert to Islam and became Abu Muhajir s ally.  According Fred Donner, at this era, Arabian Muslims and also Berber peoples from Tribe Of Awraba under Kusayla life with peace.

Abu Muhajir and Kusayla can conquer Tlemcen, one city at Algeria. At 680 AD, Caliph Muawiya die and replaced by his son, Yazid. Yazid return Uqba for became Umayyad Governor at North Africa and Uqba captured and bounded Abu Muhajir.  Abu Muhajir ask Uqba threat Kusayla with good threatment, but Uqba rejected it. According Fred Donner, it is became factor from war beetwen Umayyad Army and Berber Tribes.  According Islamic History and Research Team Of Egypt, Uqba detain Abu Muhajir and also captured and mocked Kusayla.

Kusayla rebels to Umayyad Dynasty and lead Berbers Army for rebels. At other side, Uqba attack City Of Baghaya and defeat Byzantine Army at Mountain Of Aures. He also defeat Byzantine-Berber Army at Monaster. Uqba s conquest, achieve Mountain Of Atlas.  Uqba also kidnapped several Berber ladies and sell them at slaves market at Near East.  According Kennedy, it is provocated Berber Tribes for hated Islam. Kusayla rebel to Uqba Ibn Nafi with helped from Byzantine Empire.

At 63 Hijriyya, Kusayla doing rebellion to Umayyad Goverment at North Africa. Kusayla defeat Umayyad Army at Battle Of Tahuda that at this battle, Uqba die. May Allah Subhanahuwataala bless him.  At 64 H/684 AD, Kusayla conquer Kairouan and became Governor Of Kairouan. Until 688 AD, Kusayla lead Kairouan , until at 688 AD, Umayyad Caliph, Abdul Malik Ibn Marwan  send Commander Zuhayr Ibn Qais for re captured Kairouan. Kairouan can recaptured by Umayyad Dynasty and Kusayla die at battle againt Zuhayr Ibn Qais.

Refrences:
Syaikh Al-Baladzuri: Futuhul Buldan: Penaklukkan Negeri-negeri dari Fathu Makkah Sampai Negeri Sind, Pustaka Al-Kautsar, 2015 M.

Kennedy, Hugh: Penaklukkan Muslim Yang Mengubah Dunia, Penerbit Alvabet, 2019 M.

Tim Riset dan Studi Islam Mesir: Ensiklopedi Sejarah Islam, Pustaka Al-Kautsar, 2019 M.

Donner, Fred.M.: Muhammad dan Umat Beriman: Asal-Usul Islam, Penerbit PT.Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2015 M.

Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Hijazi, Abu Tariq: Uqba bin Nafe: The conqueror of Africa | Arab News, accesed 12  June 2025, 08: 30 AM.

Lathief, Abdul: Mengenal Abu Muhajir Dinar: Politisi Ulung Penakluk Aljazair | Bincang Syariah, accesed 12 June 2025, 08: 38 AM.