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Abd al-Rahman al-Ghafiqi | |
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 Posthumous portrait of Abd Al-Rahman Al-Ghafiqi | |
| Birth name | Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd Allah Al-Ghafiqi |
| Born | Tihamah, Arabia, Umayyad Caliphate |
| Died | 10 October 732 Vouneuil-sur-Vienne, Poitiers, Francia |
| Allegiance | Umayyad Caliphate |
| Years of service | 722–732 |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Toulouse (721) Battle of the River Garonne Battle of Tours † |
Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd Allah Al-Ghafiqi (Arabic: عبد الرحمن بن عبد اللّه الغافقي, romanized: ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAbd Allāh al-Ghāfiqī; died 732), was an Arab Umayyad commander and governor who led Andalusian Muslim forces against the Franks. He is most famous for leading the Muslim forces during the Battle of Tours (also known as the Battle of Poitiers) in 732. This battle, fought against the Frankish forces led by Charles Martel, was a significant moment in European history as it marked the halting of the Muslim expansion into Western Europe.
Al-Ghafiqi was appointed as the governor of al-Andalus around 730 and led several successful military campaigns across the Pyrenees into Frankish territories where he was successful in sacking and capturing the city of Bordeaux, after defeating Duke Odo of Aquitaine in the battle outside the city, and then again defeating a second army of Duke Odo at the Battle of the River Garonne —where the western chroniclers state, "God alone knows the number of the slain."[1]. His army advanced deep into modern-day France before being confronted by Charles Martel’s forces near the city of Tours. Although al-Ghafiqi was killed in the battle, the Muslim forces retreated, and this event is often seen as a pivotal moment that preserved Christian rule in Western Europe.
Despite his defeat at Tours, al-Ghafiqi is remembered as a capable and ambitious military leader within the early history of Islamic expansion in Europe.