Background
His father, Abu al-Qasim Muhammad ibn Abbad, had established the taifa of Seville, and Abbad became its king when Abu al-Qasim died in 1042.
His father, Abu al-Qasim Muhammad ibn Abbad, had established the taifa of Seville, and Abbad became its king when Abu al-Qasim died in 1042.
He initially had amicable relations with his neighbour Ferdinand I, Count of Castile and King of León, and tolerated the Christian faith in his own lands. Al-Mu'tadid expanded his territory by conquering numerous Islamic taifas (independent principalities), including those of Mértola (1044-45), Huelva (1051), Algeciras (1055), Ronda (1065) and Arcos (1069). He also fought against the Zirids of Granada and the Aftasids of Badajoz, but with no conclusive results.
In 1063, when Ferdinand I appeared with an army on the outskirts of Seville, Abbad was forced to acknowledge his suzerainty and to pay him tribute.