Sheik Ul-Islam
Muhammad let out a sigh. There was pressure on him to appoint a Sheik Ul-Islam. More specifically, there was pressure to appoint a specific man to that position, Ibrahim ibn Qasim. Muhammad had gathered his council to get an evaluation about Ibrahim. He had brought his brother Yusef, His grand Vizier ibn al-Khatib and his Barid Salim al-Jilawi for such a meeting.
“So what do you know of Ibrahim?” Muhammad asked his councilors.
“He is well respected among the legal community. He has served under a number of highly respected teachers.” Salim said.
“If he was not respected among the legal community, he wouldn't be considered for the position.” Yusef said in response to Salim.
“Indeed, moreover I am concerned with his character. What sort of man is he?” Muhammad said to his advisers.
“From what I seen of him; there is no doubt about his skill with the Law and his understanding of the Law. There is also little of doubt about his own self-interest. He is an ambitious man, and a power hungry man.” ibn al-Khatib replied.
“Will he be loyal to us?” Yusef asked.
“Honestly? No. Ibrahim will be loyal to Ibrahim. He is out for himself first and foremost. However if we can make him think that allying with us is his best move then, yes, he will be loyal to us.” The Grand Vizier Answered.
“I concur. Moreover, you do need to appoint a Sheik Ul-Islam. The people are already starting to speak. It will not due to be without one much longer.” Salim said.
“Very well. He shall have that position. Should he become disloyal, he will be dealt with.” Muhammad said rising. The trio nodded and waited for Muhammad to leave before leaving themselves.
Later in the day, Muhammad was waiting for Ibrahim to come to his study to appoint him. The emir wished to get this taken care of sooner rather then later. Especially as he was preparing to meet with the Sultan of Fez. Muhammad didn't trust him but he did trust his self-interest.
“You called for me, My Lord?”Ibrahim said as he entered the study.
“Ah. Yes. I did. Come in. I had something to disucss with you.” Muhammad said and gestured for him to come in.
“Indeed. It is high time that we have a Sheik Ul-Islam.” Muhammad said.
“Ah. You wish for my advice as scholar, my lord?” Ibrahim asked.
“No. I want you to be my Sheik Ul-Islam. You record as a Maliki scholar speaks highly of you.” Muhammad said.
“You honor me, My lord.” Ibrahim said and bowed before Muhammad and kissed his hand.
“Good. If it turns out that this faith in you is misplaced then, I am sure you will know what shall happen.” Muhammad replied.
“You can trust me. I will make sure that your loyalty is not misplaced.” Ibrahim said.
“Good. Now then it is best that I get prepared for my Journey to Fez.” Muhammad said.
“Of course I shall leave you be then. I thank you again for this honor.” Ibrahim said and then left the room to allow Muhammad time to think about his new Sheik Ul-Islam.
Treaty with the Sultan
The trip to Fez took several months of planning and traveling to finalize; and, on the 12th of Rajab 762 AH or 18th of may 1361, Muhammad and his travelling companions had arrived in Fez. Fez was in the middle of the Marinid realm in the Maghreb.
Muhammad had come to Fez to negotiate a treaty between himself and the Sultan of Fez. He needed their support for his war. His brother had prepared his armies. Now he need the diplomacy. He arrived with his brother, Yusef and met Jabbar Ibn Hakkan in Fez. The Sultanate of Fez had just recently signed a peace treaty with the other Berber realms in the Maghreb as the Sultan sought to dominate the Maghreb.
Muhammad and his entourage rode through the city towards the Palace. The city was a buzz with activity. While Muhammad and his brother smiled to the crowd as the walked through busy streets of Fez, their focus was the Sultan. This was pure politics.
As they approached the Palace, they got off their horses as servants took them to the stables. The walked the stairs of the palace and entered into the palace where they were greeted by Sultan Abu Inan Faris himself and his men. “Ah. As-salamu alaykum, Muhammad. We welcome you to Fez.” Muhammad said with pleasant tone, though there was an edge to it.
“Waʿalaykumu s-salam, Inan Faris. I thank you for your hospitality in Inviting us.” Muhammad said respectfully knowing that he need Inan Faris's aid, and Faris knew that as well.
“Of course. We have much to discuss later. Though I imagine that you are tired from the long journey. I have made up the guest rooms for you and your brother.” The Sultan said towards Muhammad and Yusef.
“Indeed and we again thank you for your hospitality.” Muhammad replied
“Of course. I will have a servant lead you to your quarters.” The Sultan said and clapped his hands and the guards and servants escorted them down the hall towards the guest quarters that the Sultan set up for Yusef and Muhammad.
About an hour or two later, jabbar ibn Hakkan entered the guest quarters to great relief to the two brothers.
“Ah, Jabbar. Good you are here. So what can you tell us about the Sultan and what he desires? Your letter was rather evasive on that.” Muhammad asked his diplomat.
Meeting with Jabbar
“Ah, yes. I do apologize for that. However, I had little desire to have it be intercepted by Ismail or his agents. Anyways, yes, they are willing to agree to a treaty of support.” Jabbar replied.
“What do they wish in return for this support.” Yusef asked.
“The principal desire is that he wishes for us to renounce our claims to Sabtah. He is desiring to control the Maghreb. As such he does not wish for us to have claims on his lands that we can push for. Particularly as the Hafsids and the Tlemcens are preparing to fight back once the truce is over.” Jabbar explained to the two brothers.
“I see. That is agreeable. Is there anything else he desires?” Muhammad stated.
“He wishes for us to not agree to any alliances with Hafsids or the Tlemcens. Again, his desire is to dominate the Maghreb. Moreover, he wishes for a one time payment of dinars” Jabbar said.
“Agreed. Even if we had desire on the Maghreb, we need to focus on dealing with the Castilians first.” Said Muhammad.
“What about him personally? What sort of man is he?” Yusef asked.
“Ambitious and cunning. He is like a tiger in human skin. He is not a man to be trifled with.” Jabbar replied.
“Yet he is a man that we have to deal with. Very well. Thank you for your advice, Jabbar. ” Muhammad said.
“It is best that you get some rest my lord. The sultan will wish to go hunting with you in the morning, and then in the afternoon, following prayers, to discuss the plans of the upcoming war over food.” Jabbar replied. Muhammad and Yusef nodded in agreement. Like it or not, they were tired from the long trip to Fez. He wanted to make sure that the Sultan did not make this trip a waste.
Making Plans
The following day Muhammad, Yusef and Jabbar, entered the court of Sultan Inan Faris where he wished to discuss the treaty between his realm and Granada. The servants had placed out roasted lamb with lemon and honey. With it were grape leaves stuffed with a variety of raisins, onions, mushrooms, and fiery peppers stuffed with cheese. The servants left out several glasses of mint green tea.
“So you agree to the terms of the agreement?” Sultan Inan Faris asked.
“Yes. I agree to the terms of the alliance.” Muhammad answered.
“Wonderful. Though what of this plague I have heard about going on in your realm. That will not be an issue?” The sultan asked.
“No. I have taken care of it. The plague will not last much longer, just a couple more months.” Muhammad said and then went to eat some of the peppers.
“I do not want this being a repeat of Tarifa. With the Hafsids and the Tlemcens just waiting to bite at my heels, I don't want this to be a mistake.” the Sultan replied.
“The situation is much different from that battle. For one the christian kingdoms are divided. The ruler of Castile, Pedro the Cruel has lived up to his name by being cruel to his nobles who are rallying behind the house of Trastámara. Trastámara seeks to cause a civil war soon” Muhammad said as he took a bit of the lamb.
“What of the kingdom of Aragon or Portugal, will they be an issue?” The sultan said as he drank some of the tears.
“No.” Yusef said before explaining more “The Castilians have been fighting with the Aragonese for the throne of Aragon constantly in the past several years. The Aragonese will have bigger issues to deal with then us”
“And Portugal?” Inan Faris asked.
“Not as much of an issue. While Pedro hasn't gone after them. They do not wish to get dragged into his chaos if they can avoid it.” Yusef said as he sipped his tea.
“Are there any other powers connected to Castile.” The sultan asked.
“While they have ties to the French, the French are in their own conflict as the king of England is claiming the Throne of France. They are not going to risk much fighting us as they will have to wait for an English counter-attack.” Muhammad said pausing before he spoke again. “There is the Genoese. They don't have a large army. However their navy is something to keep in mind.” After which Muhammad went to eat one of the stuffed grape leaves.
“Very well. Once the plague ends and chaos begins in Castile, we will come to your aid.” The sultan said.
“Good.” Yusef Said in return.
The rest of the evening was taken up by small talk as they finished the food that the Sultan had prepared for them. Though the small talk did not last much longer as they left the courtyard shortly later. The following day, Muhammad and his entourage began to make their way back to Granada with war on his mind.