​Background

 
Under Visigoth rule, the underprivileged and minorities (Jews) were oppressed and were prevented from practicing their cultural/religious traditions and kept in filthy conditions. The upper class, on the other hand, was given amenities required to live a luxurious life. 
“The most important thing of the political background that the political situation was unstable in Spain and that’s probably quite important to make the conquest easier than it would be in the middle of era establishing everything under control of Muslims.”
​Prof. Michael Cook, Princeton University

Origin

In the beginning of the 8th century, the governor of North Africa sent his general Tariq ibn Ziyad, at the request of the governor of Ceuta, to lead the Muslims into a decisive victory against the Visigoths. With Ziyad’s exceptional strategies, the oppressed were saved from the Visigoths’ rule. Ziyad established an Islamic presence in Spain that lasted for more than seven centuries.
Picture
A map of the Visigothic Kingdom. (Courtesy of The Middle Ages)
"The Muslim conquest of the Iberian peninsula in 711 inaugurated the relationship among the three faith-communities of the peninsula.”
Benjamin R. Gampel, "Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Medieval Iberia: Convivencia Through the Eyes of Sephardic Jews"
 “It’s not surprising that Muslims would make that crossing to Spain and the story was that Muslims were invited by the governor of Visigoth Kingdom, he was discontented with King Roderick and wanted the Muslims help.”
Prof. Michael Cook, Princeton University