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Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi

Founder and first ruler of the Taifa of Tortosa

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About Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi

Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi (or Labib of Tortosa) was the founder and first ruler of the Taifa of Tortosa from around to . He was a Saqaliba, usually Slavic children that were captured, castrated, sold as slaves in Spain, and educated in the Islamic culture and religion.

It is possible that Labib left Cordoba after Hisham II was deposed in . Some time after this he took power in the city of Tortosa, but was deposed when the city was briefly taken over by the Mundhir I of the Taifa of Zaragoza. However, due to aid from the Mubarak and Muzaffar of Taifa of Valencia he was able to regain his throne. During this time, the poet Ibn Darrach al-Qastalli dedicated a composition to him.

He supported the proclamation of Abd al-Rahman IV as caliph of Cordoba in , but they and their caliph were defeated in the vicinity of Granada by Zawi ibn Ziri. Shortly after this Mubarak and Muzaffar died (possibly due to a rebellion instigated by Labib), and Labib became the ruler of the Taifa of Valencia.

In he became co-ruler of the Taifa of Valencia alongside Mujāhid al-ʿĀmirī. This arrangement only lasted until , when Labib was forced to leave Valencia and return to Tortosa. Soon after this Mujahid was replaced by Abd al-Aziz ibn Ámir as the ruler of The Taifa of Valencia.

In , Labib declared allegiance to Hisham II (who was most likely dead after the Berbers sacking Cordoba in 1013) as a symbol of his legitimacy, after the ruler of the Taifa of Seville, Abu al-Qasim Muhammad ibn Abbad claimed he had reappeared.

It is possible that he died in Tortosa in , but it is uncertain whether he was deposed or named a successor, since the only evidence found has been that after this date coinage was issued by his successor, Muqatil Sayf al-Milla.

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Important facts

Positions held
Amir, Emir of the Taifa of Valencia
Also known as
Labib of Tortosa

Frequently asked questions

Who was Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi?

Founder and first ruler of the Taifa of Tortosa

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi

· Wikidata: Q83418419

· DBpedia: Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi. https://biography.guide/labib-al-fata-al-saqlabi/

MLA: "Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/labib-al-fata-al-saqlabi/.

Chicago: "Labib al-Fata al-Saqlabi." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/labib-al-fata-al-saqlabi/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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