2021-02-05 Fri

The Idrisid dynasty was named after its founding leader and is a very interesting part of the history of Morocco. It was a Zaydi Shia dynasty who traced their ancestry from Ahl-e-Bait. The dynasty was founded by Idriss I, who in 789 arrived Walila, the site of the Roman Volubilis where he founded the town of Maulay Idriss.

Idris I, or Idris ibn Abdallah, was a descendant of Ali ibn Abi Talib, and his wife was Prophet Muhammad’s daughter. The combination of their ancestry made them a target for Abbasid persecution, as well as his brother and cousin being active members of the revolts and dedicated anti-Abbasid supporters.

He narrowly avoided the Massacre of Fakh, which took place in 786 and fled to Morocco. Zaydite missionaries travelled to the Maghreb ahead of Idris I, and by the time of his arrival, the Awraba Berbers of Volubilis were prepared to name him their leader.

Today on 5th February in the year 789, Idris I reaches Volubilis and founds the Idrisid dynasty, marking the secession of Morocco from the Abbasid caliphate and founding the first Moroccan state. The Idrisids struck silver Dirhams and some copper Fulus.

The above shown silver Dirham was issued during his reign. The obverse of a coin depicts with the Kalima within a field. The reverse of a coin depicts with the legend ‘Muhammadur Rasul Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Ali’ within a field and ‘mimma amara bihi idris ibn ’abd allah ja’ala al-haqq wa zahaqa al-batil inna al-batil kana zahuq’ in the margin area.

Image Source: https://www.numisbids.com