Page "Abd al-Rahman I" Paragraph 16

Indeed, Abd al-Rahman only proclaimed himself as emir, and not as caliph.

This was likely because al-Andalus was a land besieged by many different loyalties, and the proclamation of caliph would have likely caused much unrest.

Abd al-Rahman's progeny would, however, take up the title of caliph.

In the meantime, a call went out through the Muslim world that al-Andalus was a safe haven for friends of the house of Umayya, if not for Abd al-Rahman's scattered family that managed to evade the Abbasids.

Abd al-Rahman probably was quite happy to see his call answered by waves of Umayyad faithful and family.

He was finally reacquainted with his son Sulayman, whom he last saw weeping on the banks of the Euphrates with his sisters.

Abd ar-Rahman's sisters were unable to make the long voyage to al-Andalus.

Abd al-Rahman placed his family members in high offices across the land, as he felt he could trust them more than non-family.

The Umayyad family would again grow large and prosperous over successive generations.

However, by 763 Abd ar-Rahman had to get back to the business of war.

Al-Andalus had been invaded by an Abbasid army.