Abu al-Abbas Ahmad al-Mustansir

Abu al-Abbas Ahmad ibn Abd al-Aziz (أبو العباس أحمد بن عبد العزيز), known by the regnal name al-Mustansir (المستنصر), was Marinid Sultan from 1374 to 1384.^[1]

Abu al-Abbas Ahmad al-Mustansir
Marinid Sultan (1st reign)
Reign	1374 – 1384
Predecessor	Muhammad III ibn Abd al-Aziz
Successor	Musa ibn Faris al-Mutawakkil
Marinid Sultan (2nd reign)
Reign	1387 – 1393
Predecessor	Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Wathiq
Successor	Abd al-Aziz II ibn Ahmad II
Born	unknown
Died	1393 Taza
Dynasty	Marinid
Father	Abu Faris Abd al-Aziz I
Religion	Islam

Life

Abu al-Abbas Ahmad's predecessor Muhammad Abu Zayyan had ascended the throne as a minor in 1372 on the death of his father, Abu Faris Abd al-Aziz.^[2] The Nasrid ruler Muhammed V of Granada sent two Marinid princes to Morocco whom he had been holding captive in Granada: Abu al-Abbas Ahmad and Abdul Rahman bin Yaflusin, and supported them in taking control of northern Morocco.^[3]

Abu al-Abbas Ahmad became the Sultan of Fez in 1374, while Abdul Rahman became the independent Sultan of Marrakesh. Ibn al-Khatib, a former vizier of Granada and distinguished man of letters, had taken refuge in Morocco. Abu al-Abbas Ahmad had him executed as Muhammed V wished, and handed over Sabta (Ceuta) to Muhammad V.^[3]

Abu al-Abbas Ahmad was temporarily replaced in 1384 by Musa ibn Faris al-Mutawakkil.^[1] His deposition was engineered by the Nasrids. Musa ibn Faris Abu Faris al-Mutawakkil was a disabled son of the former Sultan Abu Inan Faris.^{[citation needed]} Musa ibn Faris ruled until 1386, and was replaced by Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Wathiq, who ruled until 1387. Abu al-Abbas Ahmad then regained the throne.^[4] After his restoration, Abu al-Abbas Ahmad began to give more power to the viziers. While Morocco was at peace, Abu al-Abbas Ahmad reconquered Tlemcen and Algiers.

Abu al-Abbas Ahmad died in 1393 in Taza, and Abd al-Aziz II ibn Ahmad II was designated the new sultan. During the troubles that followed, the Christian sovereigns carried the war into Morocco.