Episode 23: The Mujahideen’s Pact: Purging Corruption Before the Jihad
Episode 23: The Mujahideen’s Pact: Purging Corruption Before the Jihad
In 1331 AH (1912 AD), a pivotal conference was held in Northern Morocco, bringing together the leaders of the Mujahideen tribes. Under the leadership of the revolutionary leader, Sharif Moulay Ahmed al-Raisuni, the tribes convened at the shrine of the saint Sidi Mezwar to formalize a crucial agreement: the purging of the tribes from corruption.
The Campaign Against Corruption
The conference specifically addressed the issue of prostitution, which had spread through illicit means. Al-Raisuni ordered the collection of all prostitutes from the various cities and tribes. Seventy women were gathered at the shrine of Sidi Mezwar in the Qal’at Hajar al-Nasr, located in the Sumata tribe. In a structured approach to rehabilitation, these women were given the choice to either marry, enter domestic service in reputable households, or return to their families—allowing each individual the freedom to choose her own path.
Stance Against the Occupier
A significant resolution of this gathering was the declaration that anyone who chose to remain under the influence of the colonial occupiers, rather than migrating to the "pure lands" (those controlled by the Mujahideen), would be considered to have forfeited their rights to life and property. This decision was based on a fatwa issued by the Judge (Qadi) of Fez, citing the authority of the Algerian Prince Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri, who famously stated: "Whoever sells even an egg to the enemy is an infidel, and their life and property are forfeit."
Challenges and Tribal Realities
The text highlights the Khulut and Gharbia tribes as examples of those who fell under colonial influence and accepted the occupation. Consequently, they became targets for the Mujahideen. Accounts from that period detail a raid conducted by a group of Mujahideen on the village of Awlad Habas—part of the Sumata tribe—which was under occupation. The Mujahideen seized livestock and belongings during a night raid, demonstrating the harsh realities and the severe measures taken to undermine the occupiers' control.
A Period of Security
Key Historical Details: Context and Documentation
- Geographic and Chronological Context: The assembly took place in 1331 AH (1912 AD) at the shrine of Sidi Mezwar, situated in Qal’at Hajar al-Nasr within the Sumata tribe.
- Legal and Religious Framework: The Mujahideen’s authority to deal with collaborators was rooted in a fatwa from the Judge of Fez, inspired by the principles of Emir Abd al-Qadir al-Jaza'iri, which held that providing any aid to the enemy—even selling a single egg—justified the forfeiture of life and property.
- Tactical Operations: The account details a night raid on the village of Awlad Habas (Sumata tribe), where Mujahideen confiscated livestock, including cattle, horses, and mules, from those who had abandoned the Jihad for colonial security.
- Personal Witness: The record concludes with a personal testimony from the author, describing how his own father, a rifle-bearing guard, was later ambushed, stripped of his wealth, and even his wife's garments, reflecting the volatile and dangerous nature of the era.
Reflecting on this era, personal accounts recall that the mountain tribes experienced a period of relative peace and safety under the protection of God during the implementation of these agreements. This collective effort not only aimed to liberate the land but also sought to instill a moral code to purify the society from within, ensuring that the struggle for independence was matched by an internal struggle against moral decay.
Conclusion: The Integration of Reform and Jihad
Studying these historical documents reveals that the Al-Raisuni movement was not merely a military resistance against foreign colonialism, but a comprehensive reform project. The Mujahideen of that time realized that independence was not achieved solely by expelling the occupier, but by fortifying the internal front and purging the tribes of moral corruption that could weaken their unity. The strictness in implementing these agreements—such as the case of the women of the tribes and the handling of those who collaborated with the occupier—reflected a commitment to building a society with a firm moral and religious foundation against the colonial tide.
In their understanding, "Jihad" was a comprehensive concept that linked the protection of the land with the protection of honor and faith. This approach allowed the mountain tribes to experience a period of stability and safety, despite the harshness of the surrounding circumstances.
See also:
Episode 22
المشرف على منصة "أرشيف شمال المغرب" للتوثيق والبحث التاريخي.
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