Did you know that Somalia, which some people think was on the margins of history, was — after Allah Almighty — one of the major reasons for protecting the Two Holy Mosques from the Crusader aggression, and played a decisive role in defending the grave of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and all Muslims?
In a time when trials intensified and the strength of the Muslims weakened, Portugal planned to strike the Ummah at its very heart. They intended to invade the Illuminated City (Madinah), exhume the grave of the Prophet ﷺ, and transfer it to Lisbon, so they could use it to bargain with the Muslims over Jerusalem, which had been liberated by the leader Salahuddin al-Ayyubi.
Executing this plan required turning the coasts of Somalia into naval bases from which they would launch their attack toward the Arabian Peninsula.
That Crusader campaign was led by the Portuguese commander Cristóvão da Gama, son of Vasco da Gama, who became infamous for his campaigns against Muslims and for destroying mosques.
But Allah appointed for this plot a Muslim leader from Somalia: Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, Sultan of the Islamic Adal Sultanate. He confronted that Portuguese–Abyssinian alliance and completely foiled their plans.
On 28 August 1542 CE, a decisive battle took place near Lake Ashenge in the highlands of Abyssinia, where the army of Imam Ahmad met the Portuguese forces under Cristóvão da Gama, supported by the Abyssinian army.
The battle ended with a great victory for the Muslims: the alliance was dismantled, the Abyssinians and Portuguese fled, leaving behind their weapons and camp. Cristóvão da Gama was captured after being wounded, and was then executed by Imam Ahmad.
Thus, Somalia became the first line of defense for the grave of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and a shield protecting the Two Holy Mosques from the ambitions of the invaders.
The historian Abd al-Qadir ibn Abdullah al-Aydarus described this leader in his book “An-Nur as-Safir ‘an Akhbar al-Qarn al-‘Ashir” (The Radiant Light on the News of the Tenth Century), saying:
“Imam Ahmad’s power kept growing until he reached the position he reached. He conquered many parts of Abyssinia, and accounts about him were narrated that astonish the minds, so much so that some said: His conquests can only be compared to the conquests of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.”
The truth that many overlook is that the Muslims of Somalia, Eritrea, and Abyssinia (Ethiopia) have a glorious history of supporting Islam and defending the lands of the Muslims. They were an impregnable fortress and a protective shield for the Ummah in times of hardship and affliction.
If you finished reading this post, send blessings upon the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace 🤲
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