Islamic Conquests of the Middle Maghreb (Algeria)
The Islamic Conquest of the Maghreb in the era of Omar B’nou El Khatab:
After conquering Egypt in the year 20 AH / 641 AD, Omar ibn al-Aas resumed his conquests to secure the country's western frontiers. He conquered Cyrenaica in the year 22 AH / 643 AH.
Okba bin Naf'aa was dispatched to Zuwaila and was able to conquer it, earning him the position of governor. Omar Ibn Al-Aas continued his conquests in the Maghreb and conquered Tripoli in the same year, 22 AH/642 AD, before besieging and fighting the inhabitants of Sabra until they submitted. Omar ibn al-Aas then proceeded to Egypt, having appointed Okba ibn Naf’aa as governor of Barqa.
Islamic Conquest in the time of Othman bin Affan:
Othman bin Affan, may God have mercy on him, appointed Abdellah bin Abi Sarh as governor of Egypt. He gave him orders to pursue his conquests in the Maghreb. The Islamic army marched out in the year 27 AH/648 AD, and when it arrived in Cyrenaica, the leader's garrison, Okba bin Nafa’a, joined them. In the year 27 AH/648 AD, the Islamic army won the Battle of Sbeitla, and the Byzantine king of Africa Jarjir was killed.
Islamic Conquest under the Umayyad Caliphate:
Mouawya bin Abi Sofiane, the Umayyad Caliph, appointed Mouawya bin Hadij as administrator of Egypt and Africa. He was given orders to conquer the Maghreb, so he camped in Kmunia. From there, he travelled to Al-Qarn and established a military command centre there, after which he stormed Bizerte and captured numerous prizes.
Okba bin Nafaa'a was appointed governor of Africa in the year 50 AH / 671 AD. So he built Kairouan and used it as a base for the Islamic army from which Islamic soldiers would commence their conquest of the Maghreb, but he was isolated in the year 55 AH / 676 AD.
Abu Al-Mouhajir bin Dinar seized control of Africa and traveled to Carthage, where he was able to enter. Then he traveled through the Middle Maghreb and returned to Tlemcen with his spoils. Abu Al-Mouhajir is the Middle Maghreb's first Islamic leader. And he ruled the Maghreb until 62 AH / 682 AD, when he was overthrown under the reign of Yazid ibn Mouawya and Okba ibn Nafi was reappointed as governor of Africa. Abu Al-Mouhajir was detained and mistreated his European companion Kouceila.
Okba marched a massive force into Bejaia, where he met severe resistance from the Byzantines, who were crushed before him. The survivors holed themselves within their city. He besieged them for a time before fleeing for fear of being distracted by others. After defeating the Romans in Tazoult, he moved on to the Zab area and conquered the Berbers at Ouedi M'sila. And from there, he marched to Tihert, conquering it and gaining the right to battle the Berbers and the Byzantines. Then Okba continued his conquests at breakneck pace until he reached Tlemcen, one of their most important cities.The Romans and Berbers joined him and the towns around, and they marched out to meet him ina massive force, with the circle firmly in their favor. Okba bin Nafa'a then journeyed till he reached Tangier in the distant Maghreb, and it was stated that he stormed the Atlantic Ocean on his horse. And if not for the rivers, he would have continued his conquest until he alone worshiped God. Then he conquered and marched to Sus, where he beat the tenacious Berbers.
Okba bin Naf'aa led a caravan back to Africa. Abu al-Mouhajir, who was imprisoned, joined him on his conquests, as did Koceima, who Okba disregarded. Abu al-Mouhajir was alluding to a barrier that needed to be overcome in order to avert his betrayal. When he arrived at Tabna, he ordered his troops to retreat to Kairouan, leaving just a small detachment of soldiers behind. On his route to his conversion (Biskra), he was welcomed by Koceila bin Lamzam and those he had recruited among the Berbers and Byzantines. The Okba army was defeated and martyred along with Abu al-Mouhajir Dinar in what is now known as Sidi Okba.
Hassan bin al-Nu'man was named Maghreb governor in 69 AH / 689 AD. He arrived at Kairouan in the year 74 AH / 693 AD. He went on to reclaim its cities one by one, so Kahina, the queen of the Aures mountain, faced him, and a fight took place in the Miskyana Valley between them. It concluded with Hassan's army fleeing to Cyrenaica after slaughtering many of them, awaiting orders from the caliphate's headquarters. Kahina ruled over the whole Maghreb, and believing that the Muslims had paid her for the spoils and money, she demolished cities, chopped down trees, and burnt farmland. This fueled the Berbers' rage towards her. The conditions were perfect for Hassan bin al-Nu'man to triumph against her. After several years, he was able to battle her again and slay Kahina's army in a location that became known as “Kahina's well”. After the execution of Kahina in the year 82 AH / 701 AD, the Berbers remained quiet and continued in obedience, and Hassan ibn al-Nu'man returned to Kairouan. And Egypt's governor, Abdul Aziz bin Marwan, named Musa bin Nassir as Maghreb governor. Because the Berbers fled in front of him when he arrived, he unlocked the fortress of Zaghouan and its surroundings. He dispatched his two sons, Abdellah and Marwan, who conquered Kairouan and vanquished the Kutama, Zenata, and Hawara tribes. The Berbers submitted to his dominion and committed allegiance to Islam. Ever since, the Maghreb, including the Middle Maghreb, became an Islamic dynasty.
The Maghreb in the Era of Al Mouhajir Ibn Dinar
The Maghreb in the Era of Okba Bin Naf’aa
Amr ibn al-Aas was one of the Messenger's companions and died in the year 22 AH / 664 AD. May God bless him and grant him peace. He is a Muslim commander who conqueredEgypt in 18 AH / 640 AD. He established Fustat as Egypt's capital and built the mosque that bears his name, which is considered the earliest mosque in Africa.
Okbah bin Nafi' al-Fihri was a Tabi'ite (follower) born during the Messenger PBUH's era. However, he had never seen or heard from him. Some historians believe he was born before the conquest of Mecca, whereas Ibn Adhari believes he was born around 631 AD, one year before the death of the Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace.
