Abd al-Haqq I


Abd al-Haqq I ibn Mihyu ibn Abi Bakr ibn Hamama was the first Marinid sheikh, leader and an eponym for that dynasty.

History

Around 1215, the new Almohad caliph, Yusuf II Al-Mustansir was still young and the Almohads had earlier suffered a severe defeat against Christian kingdoms of Iberia on 16 July 1212 in the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. The "Banu Marin" took advantage of the situation and attacked the Almohads who sent 10,000 men to fight them. The battle took place on the coast of the Rif region. The Almohads were defeated. During 1217, the Berber nomads and tribes clashed with the Marinids around Fes but were defeated. However Abd al-Haqq was mortally wounded during these clashes.
The Marinids took possession of the Rif and were able to maintain their control of the region despite attempted counter-attacks by the Almohads.