Muhammad Gasa Explained

Muhammad Gasa
محمد قاسا
1st Imam of the Imamate of Aussa
Reign:1577–1583
Predecessor:Mansur ibn Muhammad
Death Date:1583
Religion:Sunni Islam

Muhammad Gasa (Arabic: محمد قاسا) (died 1583) was the first Imam of the Imamate of Aussa. Muhammad Gasa abandoned the capital of Harar and relocated his capital to the desert oasis of Aussa. He subsequently became the first ruler and founder of the new Imamate of Aussa.

History

Muhammad Gasa, a relative of Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi, was elected imam on September 1577. Hararis hoped that Muhammed,because of his illustrious lineage, he would create a new sense of unity, and inspire them to resist within the walls, if not lead them to victory outsideof them. To their disappointment, the first thing Muhammed did when he came to power was to transfer the capital from Harar to Aussa in the Afardesert. Muhammad thought that this new capital would be less accessible to Oromo raids, but it did not appear to be that secure as the Oromos continually raided it anyways. In 1583 Muhammad was killed while in battle with the Warra Daya Oromos. His death was followed by a succession crisis in which eight imams succeeded each other in less than five years.[1] [2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Oromo of Ethiopia 1500-1800.
  2. Book: History of Harar . 76 .
  3. Book: Trimmingham . John Spencer . Islam in Ethiopia . 1952 . 97 .