Origins & Early Life

'Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd Allah Al-Ghafiqi (Arabic: عبد الرحمن بن عبد اللّه الغافقي, romanized: ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAbd Allāh al-Ghāfiqī; died 732), was an Arab Umayyad commander and governor who led Andalusian Muslim forces against the Franks. His invasion failed, and he was killed in action against the forces of Charles Martel in the Battle of Tours on October 10, 732 AD. From the Arab Tihamite tribe of Ghafiq, he relocated to Ifriqiya (now Tunisia), then to the stretch of the Maghreb that is now Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania, where he became acquainted with Musa ibn Nusayr and his son Abd al-Aziz, the governors of al-Andalus. Abd Al-Rahman took part in the Battle of Toulouse, where Al Samh ibn Malik was killed in 721 (102 AH) by the forces of Duke Odo of Aquitaine.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After the severe defeat, he fled south along with other commanders and troops, and took over the command of Eastern Andalus. He was briefly relieved of his command, when Anbasa ibn Suhaym al-Kalbi was appointed in 721. After Anbasa died in 726 in southern Gaul, several successive commanders were put in place, none of whom lasted very long.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

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