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The Abridged History of Al-Habashah: From Axum to Abyssinia
By Taym Ansary

Adhan From Every Mountaintop.

As we have discussed prior to 1270 in what is considered the Dark Ages of Al-Habesha we see the development of several Islamic states that progressively spread the Islamic faith deeper and deeper into the Ethiopian Highlands as a mixed result of conquest and missionary work. Note: The following list does not include various tribes and and small states that while having Islamic members or leaders did not formally become Islamic States or Sultanates.

Adal Sultanates [886-1303:Established during the 9th century along the Arabian Sea and Red Sea centered on the port of Zelia. In truth the Adal Sultanate is a term for the development of Islam amongst the Somali and Afar peoples who inhabited both the coast and interior of the Rift Lowlands. During its timeframe it was largely a loosely based confederation of tribes and city-states such as Shewa, Berbera, Harar and Ifat with the Sultan acting most of the time as an elected, nominal head of state. From the 9th Century onward the main contributions of the Adal Sultanates was a middleman for economic trade on the Indian Ocean and spreading Islam into the Ethiopian Highlands through traders.

Lakomelza Sultanate [960-1111]: Established by Imran ibn Melek Seged during the late 10th century this was the first Islamic state within the Ethiopian Highlands and the first Amaharic speaking Islamic State. Centered north-west of Desse this state was primarily know for being a blender and transforming the Islamic religion from an Arab one into one for the Habeshans of the Ethiopia. plateau. Beginning the transformation of Al-Habeshan culture into an Islamic one it sent forth many missionaries into other parts of the plateau and consequently laid down the foundations for conversion of many of the other Sultanates in the region and the eventual Al-Habashah Empire.

Ajuuraan Emirate [1255-1460]: Established by Ajuran Gareen of the Gareen family after seceding from the Adal Sultanates. The Ajuuraan State represents a period of both a shift of Islam down the coast of East Africa but also the spread of the Somali ethnic group throughout the Horn of Africa. Was a major trade and cultural center for the region.

Roha Sultanate [1081-1270*]: Established in the 11th century initially as the first Agwe Islamic State before is gradually faced an ethnic and linguistic cultural shift and became largely Amaharic speaking. Founded by Muhammad ibn Abu-Aziz, one of the members of the Royal Zagwe Dynasty whose branch had converted to Islam and gradually converted those within his fiefs to their faith. Exsisting within the Zagwe Dynasty the descendants of Muhammad ibn Abu-Aziz eventually revolted during a period of civil war within the Dynasty caused by their tend act to follow a succession practice of passing inheritance to their brothers. Eventually absorbing the Lakomelza Sultanate, which caused it to become Amaharic speaking, and battling with both the Falasha and the Asmera Sultanate for control over the Al-Habashah Highlands.

Asmera Sultanate [1159-1270*]: Established in the 12th century as the first Islamic State amongst the Tigraean peoples. Eventually converting and conquering the Tigrayana hills. The Sultnatae reached its peak in 1255 under Al-Assad ibn Umar who lead the Sultanate into increasing clashes with the Falasha and the Roha Sultanate. Eventually after one battle against the Rohani the Sultan Abu-Aziz ibn Bassem was killed in battle with Al-Assad throwing the Roha Sultanate into disarray. Eventually a meeting of the noblemen went to Al-Assad and offered him the marriage of the Sultan's sister, Hawa. He accepted and the two Sultanates allied together and not only invaded the Falasha Gondar Kingdom but utterly crushed it and annexed it completely extending the control of the two Sultanates to Lake Tana and the Blue Nile river. The consequences of this would greatly affect the history of Al-Habashah. The most immediate of which occurred in 1270 with the birth of Al-Kaleem Faysal ibn Al-Assad. The Asmera and Roha Sultanate agreed to form under one house and declare Al-Kaleem Faysal as Negusa Nagast, King of Kings of Al-Habashah, Emperor of Abyssinia.

*For sometime after 1270 the Asmera and Roha Sultanates continued to exist as separate administrative and political entities despite that Al-Kaleem Faysal and his descendants continued to hold title of Sultans of both. Eventually the two were merged together formally in the 15th Century.