A study on Jewish viziers in Andalusia (910-1090)

Throughout Islamic history, Jews have had the opportunity to live freely under Muslim rule. Their freedom and participation in social life reached their peak in the Andalusian civilization. Since the conquest of Andalusia in 711, relations establishing mutual trust have been established between Muslim rulers and Jews. The tolerance that prevailed in Andalusia ensured that Jews were employed in state cadres based on merit, regardless of language, religion or race. These versatile and well-equipped Jews were assigned to administrative cadres regardless of their beliefs, based on their benefits. In Andalusia, Jews were appointed to the highest position in the Islamic administration, the Grand Vizier, without changing their beliefs. From time to time, Jewish viziers were assigned to more than one administrative area and had a say in almost all units of the state. They simultaneously served as ambassadors, diplomats, clerks, palace physicians, military strategists, customs, enforcement and tax officials. These viziers with expanded authority and the other Jews they protected became the most prestigious Jews of the Middle Ages and lived their golden age in Andalusia. In this context, first of all, the situation of the Jews under Christian rule before the conquest was compared with their situation under Islamic rule after the conquest. Examples were given of how Jews were able to be present in every area of Andalusian social life. Then, the reasons for the employment of Jews in the position of viziers were examined and their political, economic and social activities there were examined.