Ḥasan ibn al-Nuʿmān al-Ghassānī the real architect of the new Wilāya of Ifrīqiya.

What is it about?

Ḥasan ibn al-Nuʿmān al-Ghassānī became governor of Ifrīqiya for about two decades (69–84 H/AD 688–703) with one major mission: re-pacification of the region once again and the establishment of its administrative organization. In the light of the modern historical studies on Middle Ages, and recent archaeological excavations in Northwest Africa area, this study focus on early Islamic administrative system set up by the real architect of the new Wilāya of Ifrīqiya the wise governor Ḥasan ibn al-Nuʿmān. The Muslim administration in Ifrīqiya under Ḥassān b. al-Nuʿmān represented a radical change from the policies of his southern Arabian predecessors, where clientelism flourished and the interests of only a small group of individuals was protected. Not only did Ḥassān institute sweeping organizational changes based on novel advances (namely the dawāwīn), he also drew on a multiethnic approach to ruling that enabled him to exploit a variety of talents. He used Coptic Christians to build his fleet and utilized the skill of the Greeks for mint ing and coinage. At the same time he reformed the whole fiscal system to befit it to his needs, laying the foundation for lasting Muslim rule within stable eco nomic framework conditions. He integrated formidable Berber warriors into the ranks of his armies and relied on Arabic teachers to spread the Islamic faith to indigenous locals. His aims to create a multiethnic, monocultural society, in the end, reflected what Justinian had hoped to achieve in the Exarchate of Carthage.

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Photo by Malek Boukhris on Unsplash

Photo by Malek Boukhris on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Foundation of the Early Islamic Administrative system In North Africa.