Born in 1052 within the Taifa of Toledo, Sa’d ibn al-Walid al-Tulaytuli, known to history as "The Vanguard," emerged from the warrior class to fundamentally alter the trajectory of the Iberian Peninsula. Raised by a Fursan and trained in cavalry warfare, he recognized early in his life that the fragmented and decadent Muslim Taifas were dangerously vulnerable to the rising Christian kingdoms of the north. Frustrated by the ineptitude of the Emir of Toledo, who prioritized artistic patronage over defense, Sa’d established the ‘Al-Saff al-Muwahhad’ or ‘The Unified Rank’ in 1071. This military order, composed of the realm's finest warriors, was designed specifically to counter Christian encroachment, eventually swelling to thousands of members who shared his vision of a centralized and militant defense of Al-Andalus.

The Vanguard’s ascent to supreme power was precipitated by the collapse of Toledo’s treasury and the subsequent invasion by King Alfonso VI of Leon and Castile in 1079. When Alfonso sacked Toledo to extract unpaid mercenary debts and held the Emir captive, Sa’d mobilized his order and rushed to the city's defense. Despite being outnumbered, his forces engaged the Christians outside the city walls in a brutal confrontation. In a decisive turn of events, Alfonso VI was killed in the melee, causing the Christian army to rout. Victorious but disgusted by the leadership that had allowed the invasion to occur, Sa’d arrested the Emir days later, seizing the throne for himself and ending the era of reliance on Christian mercenaries.

As the new Emir, Sa’d instituted rigorous reforms that transformed the region from a collection of squabbling states into a unified, martial power. He purged corrupt officials, stabilized the currency, and directed all resources toward building a professional domestic army capable of standing against European powers. With the state’s finances recovered, he launched a relentless campaign of consolidation, conquering Granada in 1089 and subduing the entirety of Al-Andalus by 1101. Recognizing the strategic importance of the northern frontier, he fortified the settlement of Madjrit, transforming it into a robust defensive capital. Upon moving the seat of power there in 1105, he proclaimed the ‘Emirate of Madjrit’ and adopted the name Sa’d ibn al-Walid al-Madjrit. His reign, which ended with his death in 1107, forged the military and political infrastructure that allowed Islam to permanently dominate the Iberian Peninsula.