Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi

Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi (Arabic: لبيب الفتى الصقلبي) (or Labib of Tortosa) was the founder and first ruler of the Taifa of Tortosa from around 400 AH (1009/1010 CE) to 431 AH (1039/1040CE). He was a Saqaliba, usually Slavic children that were captured, castrated, sold as slaves in Spain, and educated in the Islamic culture and religion.

Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi
Emir of the Taifa of Tortosa
Reign	400 AH (1009/1010CE)?–431 AH (1039/1040CE)
Predecessor	none
Successor	Muqatil Sayf al-Milla
Emir of the Taifa of Valencia
Reign	410 AH (1019/1020CE)–411 AH (1020/1021CE)
Predecessor	Mubarak and Muzaffar
Successor	Mujāhid al-ʿĀmirī
Died	431 AH (1039/1040CE) Tortosa
Religion	Islam

It is possible that Labib left Cordoba after Hisham II was deposed in 400 AH (1009/1010CE). Some time after this he took power in the city of Tortosa, but was deposed when the city was briefly taken over by the Mundhir I of the Taifa of Zaragoza. However, due to aid from the Mubarak and Muzaffar of Taifa of Valencia he was able to regain his throne.^[1] During this time, the poet Ibn Darrach al-Qastalli dedicated a composition to him.^[2]

He supported the proclamation of Abd al-Rahman IV as caliph of Cordoba in 408 AH (1017/1018CE), but they and their caliph were defeated in the vicinity of Granada by Zawi ibn Ziri. Shortly after this Mubarak and Muzaffar died (possibly due to a rebellion instigated by Labib), and Labib became the ruler of the Taifa of Valencia.^[3]

In 410 AH (1019/1020CE) he became co-ruler of the Taifa of Valencia alongside Mujāhid al-ʿĀmirī. This arrangement only lasted until 411 AH (1020/1021CE), when Labib was forced to leave Valencia and return to Tortosa. Soon after this Mujahid was replaced by Abd al-Aziz ibn Ámir as the ruler of The Taifa of Valencia.^[4]

In 427 AH (1035/1036CE), Labib declared allegiance to Hisham II (who was most likely dead after the Berbers sacking Cordoba in 1013) as a symbol of his legitimacy, after the ruler of the Taifa of Seville, Abu al-Qasim Muhammad ibn Abbad claimed he had reappeared.^[5]

It is possible that he died in Tortosa in 431 AH (1039/1040CE), but it is uncertain whether he was deposed or named a successor, since the only evidence found has been that after this date coinage was issued by his successor, Muqatil Sayf al-Milla.

External links

• Spanish Royal Academy of History biography page of Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi