Мухаммед I Кордовский: Эмир и покровитель искусств Аль-Андалуса

Emir of Córdoba from 852 to 886

Muhammad I of Cordoba (823–886; محمد بن عبد الرحمن الأوسط) was a Muslim ruler of al Andalus. He ruled during a time of thriving art, architecture and culture in Islamic Iberia in the 9th century, turning Cordoba into a cultural and political center.

According to the late 9th century Chronica Prophetica, the Umayyad dynasty began its rule over al Andalus in 746 and brought much stability to the Iberian Peninsula compared to their predecessors. They had been in control of the caliphate since the death of Muhammad until the Abbasid dynasty took over in the 750s. Cordoba became the capital and cultural center of al Andalus. Christians and Jews who abided with the new Islamic society were still able to practice their religion as long as they did not criticize Islam. He engaged in diplomacy with Charles the Bald, the Carolingian king of the West Franks, sending him camels in 865.

Under the reign of Muhammad I, what became later known as the Cordoban Martyr Movement took place. While a majority of Cordoban Christians conformed to Islamic society and lived comfortably as a result, there were still some who fervently defended their faith. During the mid 9th century there was a group of outspoken Cordoban Christians who publicly denounced the Muhammad.

Muhammad I is credited with some of the work done on the Great Mosque of Cordoba in the 9th century. He may have completed the first major expansion of the mosque begun by his father, Abd ar Rahman II. He also added a maqsura.