Events Occurred on the Ninth of Ramadan

The ninth day of Ramadan has witnessed several significant events that shaped Islamic history and beyond. These include the conquest of Sicily, the lifting of the siege of Cairo during a political struggle in Fatimid Egypt, and Indonesia’s declaration of independence from Japanese occupation in modern history. Below are the details of these pivotal moments:

The Conquest of Sicily – 827 CE

On the ninth day of Ramadan in 212 AH, the Muslim forces, led by Asad ibn al-Furat, began the conquest of Sicily, a key Byzantine territory.

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Sicily, located south of Italy and northeast of North Africa (modern Tunisia), was a coveted prize due to its strategic location and wealth, being the largest and richest island in the Mediterranean. The Muslim desire to conquer Sicily had lingered for years, and it finally materialized under the Abbasid Caliph Al-Ma’mun.

Asad ibn al-Furat: A Scholar and Commander

Asad ibn al-Furat, born in Harran (modern-day southeastern Turkey) to a family of Nishapuri origin, was a renowned Maliki scholar and jurist. He studied with prominent figures such as Imam Malik in Madinah, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad al-Shaybani (disciples of Abu Hanifa) in Iraq, and Ibn al-Qasim in Egypt. Asad became a master of both the Maliki and Hanafi schools of thought and served as a judge in Qayrawan (modern Tunisia).

When the Aghlabid emir, Ziyadat Allah I, decided to launch a naval expedition against Sicily, he appointed Asad ibn al-Furat to lead the campaign. This marked a rare occasion when a scholar assumed the role of a military commander.

With a fleet of warships and an army that departed from Sousse in Tunisia, Asad ibn al-Furat landed on the island and faced a Byzantine force at Mazara. Despite being outnumbered, the Muslim forces achieved a decisive victory, forcing the Byzantines to retreat northward. This marked the beginning of Islamic rule in Sicily, which would last for over two centuries, leaving a profound cultural and architectural legacy on the island.

The Lifting of the Siege of Cairo – 1164 CE

On the ninth day of Ramadan in 559 AH, the siege of Cairo, part of the power struggle between Shawar and Asad al-Din Shirkuh, came to an end.

The Background

Shawar ibn Mujir al-Sa’di, the vizier of the Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt, was embroiled in a conflict with his rival Dirgham, who had seized power. Seeking to reclaim his position, Shawar turned to Nur al-Din Zangi, the ruler of Damascus, for assistance. In response, Nur al-Din dispatched his trusted general Asad al-Din Shirkuh, accompanied by his nephew Salah al-Din (Saladin), to aid Shawar.

The Siege

Shirkuh and his forces successfully reinstated Shawar as vizier, but Shawar betrayed his allies by aligning himself with the Crusaders, inviting them into Egypt to counter Shirkuh’s influence. This led to a prolonged siege of Cairo, where Shirkuh’s forces clashed with both the Crusaders and Shawar’s troops.

The siege was lifted on the ninth day of Ramadan following a short-lived agreement between the parties. However, the betrayal by Shawar and his alignment with the Crusaders ultimately led to his assassination. Shirkuh then assumed the position of vizier, paving the way for Salah al-Din to rise to prominence and eventually establish the Ayyubid dynasty.

Indonesia Declares Independence – 1945 CE

On the ninth day of Ramadan in 1364 AH (17 August 1945), Indonesia declared its independence from Japanese occupation.

The Context

During World War II, Japan occupied Indonesia, ending centuries of Dutch colonial rule. However, as Japan’s defeat became imminent, nationalist leaders in Indonesia, including Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta, seized the opportunity to declare independence.

The Declaration

On this historic day, Sukarno proclaimed Indonesia’s independence in a simple ceremony in Jakarta, marking the beginning of the country’s struggle to gain international recognition and defend its sovereignty. The declaration symbolized the determination of the Indonesian people to achieve self-rule, despite subsequent conflicts with the returning Dutch forces.