Later in 1228 he rebelled against his brother Abd-Allah, who had been head of the Hafsid dynasty in Ifriqiya from 1224 following the death of their father, Abu Muhammad Abd al-Wahid ibn Abi Hafs.

In response, Abd-Allah marched from Tunis to Qayrawan to confront his brother in battle, but his troops deserted him and Abu Zakariya overthrew him, forcing him to be content with the title of Sheikh and to devote himself to religious life.

In 1229 Abu Zakariya rebelled once more against central authority after he heard that the Almohad caliph in Marrakesh al-Ma'mun, had overthrown and killed two of his brothers and that he had cancelled the creed of Ibn Tumart.

By the end of Abu Zakariya's reign, the Marinid Dynasty of Morocco and several Muslim princes in Al-Andalus paid him tribute and acknowledged his nominal authority.

[4] He began diplomatic and commercial relations with Emperor Frederick II of Swabia, the Crown of Aragon, Provence, Languedoc, with Venice, Pisa and Genoa.

[dubious – discuss] [5] A skilful general, his ability to utilise the military power of the tribesmen enabled him to establish a strong state.