Idrisids

The Idrisids were an early Islamic dynasty that ruled parts of the Maghreb, centered in Fez, from around 788 to the late 10th century. Founded by Idris I, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Ali, the dynasty traced its legitimacy to Alid lineage and to support from local tribes in the region. Idris I fled persecution in the eastern Islamic world and established a polity in the western Islamic lands, laying the foundations of a dynastic state in what is now Morocco.

Under Idris I and especially Idris II (reigned around 803–828), the Idrisids consolidated control over northern Morocco, established Fez as the capital, and fostered the spread of Islam and Arabic culture. Idris II extended authority, promoted urban development, and helped make Fez a major center of learning and commerce. The Qarawiyyin Mosque and University in Fez, founded in this era, became an important scholarly institution and is often cited as one of the oldest continuously operating universities.

The Idrisid realm encompassed parts of present-day northern Morocco and influenced routes into the western Sahara. The dynasty faced ongoing challenges from Berber confederations and rival groups, and its political cohesion weakened during the 9th and 10th centuries. By the end of the 10th century, Idrisid rule had largely disintegrated, giving way to competing powers and the emergence of new Moroccan dynasties.

Legacywise, the Idrisids established the first centralized Moroccan state after the early Islamic conquests and promoted Islam and urban culture in the region. Their period left a lasting architectural and cultural imprint that influenced subsequent Maghrebi dynasties and the development of Moroccan identity.