Nur Ibn Mujahid, The Marehan Emir of Harar

[Warsame101]

This piece of biography was written by the renowned anthropologist Harvel Sebastian in the acclaimed Dictionary of African historical biography (Vol. 1)

Print Copy of the Biography:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u111 ... ujahid.jpg


Nur ibn Mujahid ibn ‘Ali ibn ‘Abdullah al Dhuhi Suha (literally ‘the morning star’), of the Ahl Suhawyan clan of the Somali tribe of Marehan, Darod group, was a notable Emir of Harar in the 16th century. Marrying the Widow of Ahmad Ibn Ibrahim (q.v.), or Gran, he also succeeded him as leader of the Muslim forces of fighting Christian Ethiopia.

Considered the patron saint of Harar, he was called the Sahib al-Fath at-Thani, or Master of the Second Conquest. When Ahmed ibn Ibrahim, the leader of the Muslim expansion into Ethiopia which began in 1527, was killed in 1543, the Muslim forces fell back in confusion upon Harar. Nur, the dead leader’s sister’s son, married Gran’s firebrand widow, Bati del Wanbara (q.v.), and undertook to renew the fortunes of the Muslim city, which had been sacked in 1550. Named Emir in about 1550-51, he spent the next two years reorganizing his forces, and construction the wall which still surrounds the city.

In 1554-55, Nur departed on a Jihad, or Holy War, in the eastern Ethiopian lowlands of Charchar, Arusi, and Hadeya. In 1559, he invaded Fatajar, where he fought against the Ethiopian emperor Galawdewos (q.v.) [reigned 1540-59], and killed him. Nur kept fighting for 12 years untill, according to legend, at Gibe he said “Kaffa!”, or “Enough!”, and returned to Harar. The province is called Kaffa to this day.

During Nur’s absence, Harar witnessed internal power struggles, and the unlucky city was disturbed by encroaching Galla tribes (i.e. Oromo tribes). By 1567, repeated Galla raids had brought famine to the city. Nur left the city in 1568 for a punitive raid against the Galla. On his return he found a plague raging in Harar, and he himself died of typhus.

Contemporaries described Nur as a man of noble conduct, who was just, strong, and highly principled. He was noted for the buildings he erected in Harar, and for protecting its inhabitants from invaders. His tomb stands on a hill surrounded by houses and courtyards, and is popular place of pilgrimage in Harar.

Bibliography:

1. R.Basset (editor, Histoire de la conquete de l’Abyssinie (“History of the Conquest of Abyssinia”), Paris, 1897-1901;

2. Dr. E. Cerulli, “Documenti arabi per la storia dell’Ethiopia,” Memoria della Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Vol. 4, No. 2, Rome, 1931

3. Dr. E. Cerulli, La lingua e la storia di Harar (“The Language and History of Harar”), Rome, 1936

4. Dr. E. Cerulli, “Gli Emiri di Harar dal secolo XVI alla conquista agiziana” (“The Mirs of Harar From the 16th Century to the Egyptian Conquest”),

5. Dr. E. Cerulli, Rassegna di Studi Ethiopici, Vol. 2, Rome, 1942

6. Hadj Yusuf AbdulRahman (editor), Kitab Rabi’a al-Qulub fi Dhikr Manaqib wa Fada’il Sayyidina as Sheikh Nur Hussein (“The Springtime of Hearts in Memory of the Virtues and Merits of Our Lord the Sheikh Nur Hussein”), Cairo, 1927

7. J. Spencer Trimingham, Islam in Ethiopia, London, 1952

8. K. Wndt, “Amharische Geschichte eines Emirs von Harar in XVI Jahrhundert,” (“An Ahmhari History of One of the Emirs of 16th Century of Harar”), Orientalia, Vol. 6, No. ¾, Rome, 1937


http://marehansade.blogspot.com/2007/09 ... harar.html

[cabdallah252]

dude fok marehan

we dont care

[xoogSADE14]

^ If thats how you feel why not just ignore the thread? or is the opposite true?

WG

How you beein sxb, Emir Nuur's descendents are alive. I haven't had the honor of meeting them personally but I know people who have.

[Warsame101]

[quote="xoogSADE14"]^ If thats how you feel why not just ignore the thread? or is the opposite true?

WG

How you beein sxb, Emir Nuur's descendents are alive. I haven't had the honor of meeting them personally but I know people who have.[/quote]


Alxamdullilah, ina-adeer, how about you. I know his descendants are alive (Reer Ina Nuur) but I posted this to dispell this ignorant origin myth that some people here have about Emir Axmed ibn Ibrahim and Emir Nur ibn Mujahid.

This well-referenced biography written by the anthropologist Harvel Sebastian will prove once and for all that Emir Nur was a Mareexaan instead of Dir, Afar or whatever ficitious origin claims they put forth these days.

[Koronto91]

Warsame 101,

Yes, I've heard of the Emir, he was mentioned in the chronicles of Ahmed Gurey. He was a pious man who was able to raise a strong army for Sh. Ahmed to fight the Habasha. At a time of great difficulty, much confusion & widespread treachery, this Emir was one of few leaders that supported Sh. Ahmed Gurey.

[Luq_Ganane]

Warsame,

These university databases you access must be amazing.


Wikipedia is considered a reputable source on Somalinet.

[Warsame101]

[quote="Koronto91"]Warsame 101,

Yes, I've heard of the Emir, he was mentioned in the chronicles of Ahmed Gurey. He was a pious man who was able to raise a strong army for Sh. Ahmed to fight the Habasha. At a time of great difficulty, much confusion & widespread treachery, this Emir was one of few leaders that supported Sh. Ahmed Gurey.[/quote]


Koronto, he was Imam Axmed's nephew (his sister was the mother of Amir Nuur) and Imam Axmed's Reer Garaad of Mareexaan. He is termed as the Second Conquerer whilst Imam Axmed is termed as the First Conquerer. Other noteable leaders that supported the Imam were Hiraab (Mareexaan) and another Geri Koombe general (forgot his name).

[xoogSADE14]

WG

Ina Adeer theres no amount of historical evidence that you can bring forth to convince this youngsters here. After all why should they pay attention to what a respected and impartial anthropologist wrote about Emir Gurey and Emir Nur when they're parents are telling them who those men were.

Some will even respond to this thread and say the researcher was paid by off Allaha unaxariistee Maj. Gen. Fmr. Pres M.S. Barre.

[precious_dyme]

Thnx for the post bro, Its rather interesting

[Koronto91]

Warsame,

There are many clans mentioned in the chronicles of Sh. Ahmed Gurey by the Arab historian, I was able to make out the Marehan, because they were discussed in some lenght. Other clans were not mentioned, some were mentioned, but either don't exist today or have migrated to other areas.

Either case, it was an interesting history that the Sheikh led! May Allah grant him a place in paradise, ameen!

[Warsame101]

[quote="xoogSADE14"]WG

Ina Adeer theres no amount of historical evidence that you can bring forth to convince this youngsters here. After all why should they pay attention to what a respected and impartial anthropologist wrote about Emir Gurey and Emir Nur when they're parents are telling them who those men were.

Some will even respond to this thread and say the researcher was paid by off Allaha unaxariistee Maj. Gen. Fmr. Pres M.S. Barre.[/quote]

XG, it will back-fire considering that the anthrolopigist derived the origin of Amir Nur from several sources, to name one, R.Basset's piece called Histoire de la conquete de l’Abyssinie (“History of the Conquest of Abyssinia”) which was published in 1897-1901

[Warsame101]

[quote="Koronto91"]Warsame,

There are many clans mentioned in the chronicles of Sh. Ahmed Gurey by the Arab historian, I was able to make out the Marehan, because they were discussed in some lenght. Other clans were not mentioned, some were mentioned, but either don't exist today or have migrated to other areas.

Either case, it was an interesting history that the Sheikh led! May Allah grant him a place in paradise, ameen![/quote]


Koronto, Amiin indeed! You are talking about Futuh al-Habasha. I have covered that on this page:

http://marehansade.blogspot.com/2007/07 ... aigns.html

[xoogSADE14]

WG

waa runtaa sxb, laakiinse ninkii xooshadeey ceebtu kartaa soow maadan maqal?

[Koronto91]

Warsame,

Thanks for the link, I've been looking for a written version of the chronicles, I only have recorded lectures about Sh. Ahmed Gurey by a scholar called Mahamad Idris who used to be my Imaam.

[Somalistan]

I smell inferiority complex here.

Why does every dude from Gedo has Barre Hiiraale as their hero. Don't you have someone else that is better than a warlord to display?