**Hajj to the Ka’bah is a duty that mankind owes to Allah **(Quran 3:97)
1071-1072
While I was away, I searched for a suitable wife, hoping for an alliance with a powerful family. Unfortunately, no ruler had daughters old enough to be married soon. Instead, I betrothed a Turkish woman, known both for her beauty and for her talent with handling money. She’s a bit older than me, and a widow, but didn’t Muhammad himself entered such a marriage? As we were both old enough, my marriage with Zubal took place immediately upon my return. I also found a wife for Farhad, since he wanted to marry too.
Unfortunately, my wife didn’t like me : too unexperienced, too arbitrary, too clumsy with words (I’m working on it, talking in secret to a Mirror)…The list of her complaints was endless. I was already accustomed not tobe liked, though, and this didn’t prevent her from becoming pregnant in quick order.
In fact, many marriages would be celebrated this year. Every Berber who wanted to marry did so. I had some talented, or lustful, or beautiful women invited from the Maghreb especially for this purpose. I would also make sure that every child would have a proper tutor. I didn’t let the Andalusians marry, though. They don’t like us, and we can’t trust them. Too many of them is a danger.
Now that I was truly in charge, I had to clean the house. First, the council. My vizier was quickly replaced. I searched from Al Andalus to Persia for a talented treasurer willing to leave his current lord, but without success. So, I let the current one in charge after bribing him. Like the others, “gold” is the only word he understands. The issue of the Imam was trickier. I can’t simply replace him. Besides, he was in charge of a wealthy mosque, Antequara, in Malaga. And since he didn’t have any child, I was his heir. I talked with Farhad, mentioning old people often dying without anybody being surprised. However he informed me that in his opinion, apart from himself (Farhad, my true friend!) nobody would be rejoiced by the Imam’s death. So, I would have to contend with him.
Next, my family. I mentioned my cousin Ayyub, a debauched. The reputation of decadence that our family had begun to acquire was for a large part caused by his excesses. However, he happened to be the only person in my court who genuinely liked me. I hesitated, but eventually took the right decision. I had him jailed. Maybe someday I would free him if I had thought of something he could be useful for (and indeed, many years later, I would need to free him).
Then my vassals. None of them was fond of me. But by far the worst was the Sheikh of Almansa, the province posthumously conquered by my grandfather. Not only he hated me, but also, he was plotting to help our stray cousin, the Hammadid Emir, second in the line of succession after my half brother. I needed to revoke him. But judged I wasn’t in a position to do so at the moment. I would need to bid my time.
Finally, my relative and homonym, Tamim I, in name sultan of Africa, in reality ruling two counties around Tunis. He was involved in a war to gain control of Gabes. I proposed to join his war, and he readily accepted. I actually sent some troops. Friendly relatives without a claim on your own land are assets worth preserving. Especially since he was my only ally at the time. The war was rather short, and successful.
Having dealt with everything I could, I decided to begin the Hajj. Many will think I was way too young for this pilgrimage. But I had promised I would do it if I survived these dangerous years. I left my pregnant wife as regent, took with me a pauper who couldn’t afford the Hajj himself as it is customary, and left for Mecca.
Going to Mecca is a long (not to mention dangerous) journey. While we were on our way, my fellow pilgrims noticed bandits preying on travelers, and thought that we should “take care” of them. I had not intent to risk my hide this way, and I reminded them that we were pilgrims, not a war party. At the cost of a small detour, we avoided them. Speaking of detours, some time later, a local “guide” offered to lead us through a rough patch of desert. I immediately felt this man couldn’t be trusted. I always sense these things. Most probably, he would lead us to our death at the hands of accomplices. I stated that I would lead the group through the desert. Which I did, cheered by my companions (although I can’t tell we were in good shape when we finally reached the oasis).
In Mecca, I befriended a Turk called Timariot Senhisah. Even though we would never meet again, we still write to each other from time to time. I noticed the behaviour of many in the holy city. Praying louder, shouting stronger, circling the Kaaba with an holier than you attitude…I wouldn’t act like them. In fact, if there’s one thing I learned during my pilgrimage, it’s humility (especially after the “leading across the desert” incident).
Our return was uneventful. We slept once in a village that was facing difficult times. I helped them out, as I thought I should as a wealthy Hajjaj. The news of one death and one birth awaited me at Granada.
The death was that of the old Imam. A perfectly natural death. Unfortunately, the Imam’s wife had given birth to a boy, and the toddler was standing in the way of my inheritance. Until Farhad told me that the baby had died in his cradle, as it often happens at such a young age (he should stop winking when he announces such things, though. One day, someone will notice). I was now the protector of Antequara mosque, which was fitting for a Hajjaj. The birth was that of Badeea, my daughter. unfortunately, no son.
I gained many things with this pilgrimage. Insight, piety, respect. And I knew that I would always stirs to be humble, always remember my roots and my ancestors. I won’t be remembered as the Emir who led the Emirate through its decadence.
A map from about this time. Our “evil cousins” the Hammadid are on the african coast, our “good cousins” the Zirids east of them. The genealogy has been posted previously.
