IV
The reign of sultan Zidraq ibn Rus Saburid, "The Bold"
Upsetting the delicate balance of power soon resulted in the Saqaliba finding themselves once agan at odds with the third power of muslm Iberia - the Moazins. Their attack in 502 AH/1109 CE was however repelled by Saqaliba guards, who then proceeded to invade the emirate. The peace of Al Qasr of 503 AH/1110 CE resulted in the broken Moazins ceding the coastal city of Harun to Zidraq - furthering the Saqaliba grasp over the coast.
Realising the power of Saqaliba, venerable caliph Abdul-Rahman decided to seek reconciliation, restoring the formal alliance between the realms. The strains were completely erased after his death in 513 AH/1120 CE and the ascencion of his youngest son, Raf.
In internal policy, Zadriq continued the string of self-strenghtening reforms. The tax reform of 512 AH/1119 CE (effectively based on plans Muhammad prepared during his regency, but failed to introduce) allowed Zidraq to field a huge army, consisting of Saqaliba troops, Andalusian levy and the elite 'Ilm Muharibun - an elite cavalry corps, consisting mostly of 'ilm neophytes from all over Iberia, regardless of ethnical background. This reformed army has first been used against the Visigoths in 517 AH/1124 CE - 519 AH/1126 CE, when the Saqaliba took advantage over the civil war in the Kingdom of Leon, seizing the disputed border holds of Alcantara and Plasentia.
Duke Iudila, uncle of king Athanagild III and pretendent to the throne of Leon
Athanagild III's realm has been saved by internal strife within the sultanate; Rus II, emir of Lisboa, rebelled with a portion of Andalusian and Lusitan levies in an attempt to force Zidraq to grant the emirs extended powers in their demenses, effectively making them autonomous from Batalyos. The resulting civil war lasted for two years, resulting in a complete defeat of the rebels, even in spite of extensive support provided by the remnants of the Moazin emirate. The punitive expedition of 521 AH/1128 CE resulted in annexation of their lands; Zidraq's firstborn son Rus became the ruler of the newly created emirate of Algarve.
In years 521 AH/1128 CE - 530 AH/1136 CE, the Saqaliba continued their expansion, incorporating the Vandal state of Tingis (which got beaten several years earlier by the Nekorians, who conquered all their African provinces) and the Suevic provinces of Portucale and Coimbra.
The last Vandal ruler of Iberia
In 529 AH/1135 CE caliph Raf died, succeeded by his son Fath. More of a humble scholar than a true ruler, Fath seemed a good person to be used in Zidraq's gamble for hegemony over the peninsula.
On the 5th Thw al-Hijjah 530 AH/4th of September 1136 CE Zidraq and Fath met in Ishbiliya on what seemed to be a ceremony to acknowledge Zidraq's semi-vassal status. The caliph was faced with a bitter surprise, though; the Saqaliba have taken over the palace, which served as the meeting's site, allowing Zidirq to present an ultimatum; complete independence from the Umayyads and a right to designate the next caliph.
The plan was foiled by 'Ilm Muharibun, however; the holy warriors engaged the Saqliba, buying off time for the caliph to escape to Qurtubah. In response, Zidraq assembled his forces - and marched onto the Umayyad capital. The decisive battle was fought at Carmona on the 11th of Jumaada al-Thaany 531 AH/5th of March 1137. The outcome has been once again decided by 'Ilm Muharibun who, under command of master Muhammad, deserted the battlefield, refusing to spill their "spirit brothers'" blood. This way, despite numerically inferior, the Saqaliba opened the way to Qurtubah.
The fate did not seem to favour them, however; in MuHarram 532 AH/October 1137, African sultan Amezwar II of Sanhaja raided the Andalusian coast, laying siege upon Al-Jazira Al-Khadra and Qadiz. The Saqaliba had to abandon the siege of Qurtubah and head south, where they defeated the invaders. The delay was more than enough for the caliph, however, and when Zidraq reappeared under the walls of Qurtubah the following year, the fortress was reinforced, making it impossble for the Saqaliba to take.
The stalemate resulted in a second meeting in Ishbiliya in 534 AH/1139 CE, where Fath and Zidraq achieved a compromise; the beaten caliph would recognise Saqaliba as new masters of Ishbiliya, in exchange for the caliph retaining formal superiority over the sultanate. A combined expedition against the Visigoths was also planned.
The preparations took long four years, and the invasion against the kingdoms of Leon and Suevia was launched in 537 AH/1143 CE. Suevic armies under Pennio II have been defeated at Bregancia, but the scale of victory has seemingly astonished the victors themselves; Zidraq failed to take advantage of the favourable situation, allowing the Leonese to repel the muslim incursion in 538 AH/1144 CE.
The following period was filled with minor border skirmishes, with no side gaining any advantage over the other. Finally, in 543 AH/1148 CE Zidraq and Fath conducted yet another invasion. This time, however, Leonese king Athanagild IV was not alone; his distant cousin, Merovingian king Clotaire managed to rally the petty rulers of Gaul, forming a sizeable crusader force to support the endangered Visigoths.
On the other hand, Saqaliba army has been weakened by political developments in Qurtubah; the sudden death of Fath and ascencion of his son Raf II resulted in the Umayyads quickly withdrawing their support - with their armies following soon enough.
Abandoned, Zidraq realised the key to victory lied in defeating the Visigoths before the crusaders' arrival would sway the tide in christians' favour. The two battles of Bregancia - fought on the 30th of Sha'baan/12th of January and 16th Thw al-Qi'dah 543 AH/28th of March 1149 CE - resulted in great loses on both sides. Even though Zidraq was only barely beaten, his forces have been greatly weakened n the eve of Frankish arrival.
The following years have seen the Saqaliba switch to hit-and-run tactics; small groups of cavalrymen and skirmishers attempted to weaken the powerful, albeit inflexible, Frankish force, foiling its attempts to concentrate on besieging Lusitanian-controlled fortresses. They bought enough time for Zidraq to regroup his forces and meet the crusaders in open field on the 28th Raby al-Thaany 549 AH/11th of July 1154 in the so-called "Battle of the Two Kings" at Coimbra. Clotaire barely avoided capture, and his weary army has been totally beaten. In the peace treaty of Caceres, the christians recognised Saqaliba control over the province of Portucale, ending the eleven years of exhausting warfare.
Zidraq proclaimed the Ramadan of 549 AH a holy month for all Iberian muslims. The celebrations were unprecedented in both scale and form; it was said that in these days even Qurtubah became dwarfed by Batalyos' splendor and glamour. The Tomb of Saqaba became the focal point of the ceremonies. The royal palace (which, thanks to Zidraq's extensive works, encompassed not only Abu-Bakr's old residence, but also Rus' library, huge baths, the Tomb of Saqaba, astronomical observatories, several madaris and much more) bathed in gold and luxury, visited by plgrims from all over the muslim world - including the exotic lands of Hindustan and Khitay.
The celebrations did not end well for the aging sultan, though; strict fasting and pompous ceremonies weakened his health. As soon as the celebrations ended, Zidraq retreated into the silent interiors of his palace, leaving his state to be torn by internal competition between the younger Saburids.
The ten years of apathy and passiveness seemed to be coming to an end in 559 AH/1164 CE. For the first time since the Ramadan of 549, Zidraq emerged from his palace to announce great celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the triumph over the christians. Once again, Batalyos became the capital of Iberia, with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims swarming in the streets, observing the grand furusiyya, taking part in religious ceremonies and other celebrations.
Colourful ceremonies had other purpose as well; Zidraq summoned all his sheiks and emirs, preparing their ranks for a silent purge of those who he deemed unworthy. His plans however never came into being - for his frail body has once again failed to withstand the harships of fast, forcing him to retreat into the silent safety of his palace.
Zidraq ibn Rus, the first sultan of Lusitania, died on the 6th of Sha'baan 560 AH/17th of June 1165 CE, after 66 years of reign. For the third time, Batalyos became a centre of celebrations - this time sad and solemn ones. The Slayer of Goths, Father of Saqaliba and Light of Islam (as the contemporary chronicles styled him) was buried alongside his father and grandfather in the Tomb of Saqaba.
A result of Jibril's prophecy - or Zidraq's genius?