The Idrisi Sharifs in Alawi Morocco (XVII–XVIII cc.): allies or antagonists of the power?

Abstract

The present article is focused on the historical role of the Idrisi Sharifs — the most ancient and numerous clan of the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, who founded the first Moroccan state in the VIIIth century. After the collapse of the Idrisids the descendants of the Idrisi rulers had to live in the backstage for centuries and didn’t play any significant role in socio-political life of the Islamic Far West. However the rule of the Marini dynasty (1269–1465) became a turning-point for the Idrisi Sharifs: the Marini Sharifian policy based at the promotion of Sharifism led to the resurgence of the Sharifian cult. Since that moment the Idrisi Sharifs gained a privileged position in society and became an essential part of urban and rural elites in Morocco. Since the XVIth century Morocco saw the raise of the Sharifian dynasties — the Saadians (1511–1659) and later the Alawis (1631–present time). These dynasties took legitimacy from their noble descent from the Prophet (sharaf). The most ancient and powerful Sharifian lineages obviously had to adapt themselves in this new situation. The aim of this paper is to explore the character of the relations between the Idrisi Sharifs and the first Alawi monarchs. Basing on the Moroccan chronicles and hagiographic works the author analyses the dynamics of interaction between the Idrisi families and the Alawi sultans at the moment when they came to power and during the first century of their rule. The analysis shows that the Alawi monarchs realised the supreme position of the Idrisi Sharifs and didn’t seek to undermine their influence. Instead of this, the rulers developed a well-balanced policy towards the Idrisis which allowed them to turn the most powerful and popular Sharifian groups into the allies of the throne.