Badis (Muzaffar Nasir)

Oldest son of King Habus of Granada, whom he succeeded in 1038. In a struggle with the Berbers, who wished to make his younger brother, Bologguin, king, he was supported by the Arabs and by his vizier, Samuel ibn Nagdela. After his accession to the throne, however, Badis feared a conspiracy on the part of the Arabs and determined to exterminate them. He planned to have the Arabs in his capital slain when they assembled in the mosque on a Friday. The vizier, Joseph ibn Nagdela—who had succeeded his father, Samuel, as Badis' vizier and counselor—tried in vain to dissuade him from the act. Joseph had to promise to keep the design a secret; but in order to avert the danger from the Arabs, he advised several noble Arabian families not to visit the mosque on that Friday. The warning was taken, and few Arabs appeared in the mosque. Though Badis accused Joseph of having broken his promise, he was finally convinced that this had been the best course of action.

The king was a drunkard, and Joseph managed all state affairs, thus arousing the hatred of the Berbers, who spread the report that he had conspired against Badis with the king of Almeria. In consequence of the accusation, Joseph was murdered, whether by the Berbers or by Badis himself isunknown. Four thousand Jews shared his fate. Badis himself was soon afterward poisoned.

Bibliography:

  * Grätz, Gesch. der Juden, vi. 21-38 et seq., 413 et seq.;
  * Dozy, Gesch. der Mauren in Spanien (Leipsic, 1874), ii. 254, 291 et seq., gives a somewhat different version.



G. M. K.