The Early Modern Response: Saadi and Alaouite Dynasties

Introduction to Sharifian Legitimacy

The concept of Sharifian legitimacy emerged as a pivotal force in Moroccan history, particularly during the rise of the Saadi and Alaouite dynasties. This legitimacy was rooted in the claim of descent from the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib, known as Sharifs. The Saadi Dynasty, which ruled from 1549 to 1659, based their claim to power on this Sharifian lineage, marking a significant shift from the previous Wattasid dynasty.

The Saadi Dynasty and the Battle of the Three Kings

A crucial event that underscored the importance of Sharifian legitimacy was the Battle of the Three Kings, also known as the Battle of Wadi al-Makhazin, which took place on August 4, 1578. This battle was a turning point in Moroccan history, as it resulted in the deaths of three monarchs: King Sebastian of Portugal, Abu Marwan Abd al-Malik I (the Saadi Sultan), and Abu Abdallah Mohammed II (the deposed Saadi Sultan). The victory of Ahmad al-Mansur, who earned the epithet ‘Al-Dhahabi’ (The Golden) due to the immense ransom paid for Portuguese captives, fundamentally halted Portuguese colonial expansion into the North African interior.

The Alaouite Dynasty and the Consolidation of Power

The Alaouite Dynasty, which also claimed Sharifian descent, established power in the mid-17th century. Originating from the Tafilalt region, the Alaouites were able to unify Morocco under their rule. Moulay al-Rashid is credited with the foundational unification of the Alaouite state by capturing Fez and Marrakesh. His successor, Sultan Moulay Ismail, created the Abid al-Bukhari, an elite slave army of Sub-Saharan origin, to centralize power and bypass tribal reliance. This move was instrumental in consolidating Alaouite power and resisting external influences, including the Ottoman Empire.

Defense Against Ottoman and European Expansion

The concept of Sharifian legitimacy played a crucial role in the defense against Ottoman and European expansion. The Saadi victory at Wadi al-Makhazin and the subsequent Alaouite consolidation of power allowed Morocco to resist becoming a province of the Ottoman Empire, unlike neighboring Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. The Sharifian shift was largely a response to the failure of the Wattasids to defend against ‘Infidel’ (Iberian) coastal occupations. Furthermore, Ottoman expansion was checked at the Battle of Wadi al-Laban in 1558, where Saadi forces defeated an Ottoman-backed army.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the shift to Sharifian legitimacy marked a significant turning point in Moroccan history, enabling the Saadi and Alaouite dynasties to defend against Ottoman and European expansion. The concept of Sharifian legitimacy, rooted in the descent from the Prophet Muhammad, provided a powerful tool for political mobilization and the consolidation of power. Through their military victories and strategic alliances, the Saadi and Alaouite dynasties were able to establish a strong and independent Moroccan state, which has endured to this day.

Sources

[1] Abun-Nasr, J. M. (1987). A History of the Maghrib in the Islamic Period. Cambridge University Press. (Section: The Sharifian Revolution).