A faculty member in the Department of History has authored a scholarly book on horses and horsemanship in al-Andalus.

The faculty member of the Department of History, Professor Dr. Jassim Al-Taif Jassim Al-Jalil, has published a scholarly book entitled “The Interests of the People of al-Andalus in Horses and Horsemanship: A Historical and Heritage Study”, issued by Kafa’at Al-Ma‘rifa Publishing, Printing, and Distribution, as part of specialized studies on the history of al-Andalus and Arab-Islamic civilization.

The book examines the central status of horses and horsemanship in Andalusian society and their role in military systems and organizations, highlighting the contribution of Arab Muslims to the development of martial arts and methods of warfare during the periods of conquest and political stability. Horsemanship became the backbone of the Andalusian army and a fundamental tool for defense and expansion.

The author reviews the attention given to horses and horsemanship in Islam through the Holy Qur’an and the Prophetic Sunnah, then moves on to the organization of the army in the Arab-Islamic state in al-Andalus, the emergence and development of the futuwwa system, and finally explains the impact of Arab horsemanship on Western chivalry. In addition, the book includes a detailed study of Arabian horses, their lineages, types, and characteristics, methods of care, diseases, as well as equestrian equipment and the gear of horsemen.

In the concluding section, Dr. Jassim focuses on the development of the system of horsemanship in al-Andalus across different political phases, presenting its role in military campaigns and the challenges it faced during the era of the Kingdom of Granada. He also provides a comprehensive portrayal of the qualities of the Andalusian knight, his culture and duties, along with a review of the most famous Andalusian horsemen and the impact of their weapons and equipment on European chivalry.

In this context, the Media and Government Communication Unit at the College of Education for Human Sciences extends its highest congratulations and best wishes to Professor Dr. Jassim Al-Taif Jassim Al-Jalil, as this publication represents a solid scholarly addition and a distinctive contribution to enriching the historical library, Andalusian studies, and Islamic military history. The unit wishes him continued success and academic achievement.