At some point, Yusuf Ibn Tashfin moved to acknowledge the Abbasids caliphs in Baghdad as overlords. While the Abbasids themselves had little direct political power by this time, the symbolism of this act was important and enhanced Ibn Tashfin's legitimacy. According to Ibn Idhari, it was at the same time as this that Ibn Tashfin also took the title of ('Commander of the Muslims'). Ibn Idhari dates this to 1073–74, but some authors, including modern historian Évariste Lévi-Provençal, have dated this political decision to later, most likely when the Almoravids were in the process of securing control of al-Andalus. According to Amira Bennison, the recognition of the Abbasid caliph must have been established by the 1090s at latest. When Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi visited Baghdad between 1096 and 1098, possibly as part of an Almoravid embassy to Caliph al-Mustazhir, he claimed that the Friday prayers were already being given in the Abbasid caliph's name across the territories ruled by Yusuf Ibn Tashfin.
at soME pOint, YusuF Ibn TashfIn moVed to acKnOwLEdGe thE aBbAsIDS CAliphS in baGhdAD as oVErlords. wHiLE the AbBAsidS TheMSeLVes haD lItTle DireCt poliTicAl power BY THiS tIMe, the syMboliSm of ThIs act WAs imPOrtaNt and enHaNcEd ibn taSHfIn's legitImAcY. acCorDING tO ibN idhari, it was At tHe samE TIME As This that Ibn tashfin AlSO ToOk The TitlE of ('cOmmander of the MuslIMS'). Ibn idharI dateS thIs to 1073–74, but somE AuThOrs, iNcludIng ModErn hIstOrian ÉVaRisTe lÉvi-proVençal, haVE DATed this PolitIcAL dEcisIon To LatER, moSt liKely when The almoRavids were in tHe proceSs of SeCuring conTrol of al-andAlus. accoRDIng to Amira bEnNisON, tHe rECognITIon oF tHe aBbAsid CaliPH MUst have BeEn esTabLIshED By thE 1090s at lAtesT. whEn Abu BAkR ibn aL-arAbi visIted BaGhdad beTWeeN 1096 And 1098, poSSibly As Part OF An aLmorAvid eMbASsy to caliph Al-mustazhIr, he cLaiMed that tHe frIdAy pRayeRs were aLreaDY beINg giveN in thE aBbasid Caliph's NamE aCrOSs the terRitOrIes rulEd BY yusuf iBN TaShfin.