Zuhayr ibn Janab

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Zuhayr ibn Janab ibn Hubal al-Kalbi was a chieftain of the Banu Kalb tribe and a pre-Islamic Arabic warrior poet. Much of his biography relies on semi-legendary accounts, but it is apparent that he lived in the early 6th century. He led not only the Kalb, but the entire Quda'a tribal confederation. During his one-time alliance with the Aksumite viceroy Abraha, Zuhayr quelled a revolt by the Taghlib and Bakr tribes, capturing their chieftains, including Kulayb ibn Rabi'a. Later, he destroyed the pagan sanctuary of the Ghatafan tribe, which rivaled the Ka'aba in Mecca. Traditional Arab sources noted that Zuhayr lived an extremely long life, and finally died by suicide after he was disobeyed. His descendants, particularly those belonging to the family of Bahdal ibn Unayf, would later hold high positions under the Umayyad Caliphate.

Contents

Life

Zuhayr's genealogy, as cited by Ibn Abd Rabbih, is Zuhayr ibn Janāb ibn Hubal ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Kināna. [1] He belonged to the Banu Kalb tribe, and served as one of the group's main chieftains. [2] According to some ancient or medieval Arab sources, Zuhayr was also the leader of the entire Quda'a confederation, which included the Bedouin tribes of Kalb, Juhayna, Bali, al-Qayn, Bahra' and Tanukh. [2] Under Zuhayr's leadership, the Kalb also formed a close alliance with the Amilah tribe. [3] Zuhayr is recorded as one of the muʿammarūn (centenarians) and he was noted in Arab legends for his extremely long life. [4] According to these fables, Zuhayr lived to 450 years of age, and his grandfather Hubal lived to 650. [5]

Sometime in the early or mid-6th century, Zuhayr was a one-time ally of Abraha (d. ca. 553), the Aksumite viceroy of Yemen and enemy of the Meccans. [2] Abraha gave Zuhayr authority over the related tribes of Taghlib and Banu Bakr. [2] He led an attack by the Kalb and their Yemeni allies against the two tribes when they revolted, and took captive the Taghlibi chieftain Kulayb ibn Rabi'a and his brother Muhalhil. [2] In his poetry, Zuhayr refers to this battle, which is recorded by many traditional Arab sources, saying "We captured Muhalhil and his brother ... May Taghlib perish because their women are herded to the market like slaves with no ornaments". [6] After the battle, the Amilah persuaded Zuhayr to release Muhalhil and noblemen from the Bakr tribe. [6]

Later, friendly relations apparently existed between Zuhayr and the Meccans, including the tribe of Quraysh. [2] When the Ghatafan tribe constructed a haram (religious sanctuary) for their idols at a place called "Buss" to rival the Ka'aba in Mecca, Zuhayr resolved to destroy it. Accounts vary as to Zuhayr's motive, with some holding that the erection of the haram offended Zuhayr because it implied Ghatafani superiority over his own tribe, [7] and others claiming that it was a favor by Zuhayr to the Quraysh in Mecca. [8] The former account is supported by 10th-century historian Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani, who wrote that when Zuhayr became aware of the Ghatafan's action, he exclaimed "By God, that will never happen while I am alive! I will never leave Ghatafan alone while they take a haram". [9] Following this, Zuhayr gathered his Kalbi tribesmen, raided and defeated the Ghatafan in their dwelling place and destroyed their haram. [10] Afterward, "he acted graciously toward Ghatafan", releasing their women and cattle. [10]

Legacy

Zuhayr is said have killed himself by drinking unmixed wine after being disobeyed. [2] His legend and prestige continued to hold great significance for the Kalb and the entire Quda'a confederation until at least the 8th century, i.e. two centuries into the Islamic era. [2] Among his descendants were the Banu Haritha ibn Janab clan, whose genealogy is traced to Zuhayr as: Ḥaritha ibn Janāb ibn Qays ibn Imruʾ al-Qays ibn Jābir ibn Zuhayr ibn Janāb. [11] Many of the clan's members played prominent roles in early Islamic history. [2] These included the offspring of Bahdal ibn Unayf (d. 650s), such as his daughter Maysun, who married Caliph Mu'awiyah I (r. 661–680) and gave birth to the latter's son and successor Yazid I (r. 680–683). [2] Bahdal's grandsons Hassan (d. 668), Humayd and Sa'id, also played leading roles over the Kalb and in the Umayyad court and military. Other notable members of the Banu Haritha ibn Janab included al-Fahl ibn Ayyash, who reportedly slew Yazid ibn al-Muhallab in 720, and the poet al-Musayyab ibn Rifall. [11] [12]

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Humayd ibn Hurayth ibn Bahdal al-Kalbi was a senior Umayyad commander and a chieftain of the Banu Kalb tribe. He was head of the shurṭa under caliphs Marwan I and Abd al-Malik, and may have served in the same capacity under their predecessor Caliph Yazid I. He commanded the Kalbi-dominated shurṭa in the Battle of Khazir in 686, and a year later joined the rebellion of the Umayyad prince Amr ibn Sa'id ibn al-As against Abd al-Malik. After the revolt's failure, Humayd reconciled with the latter. In the years following the battles of Marj Rahit (684) and Khazir, Humayd led the Kalb in numerous tit-for-tat raids and battles with enemy Qaysi tribes, including the Banu Amir, Banu Sulaym and Fazara.

ʿUmayr ibn al-Ḥubāb al-Sulamī was a chieftain of the Banu Sulaym tribe, an erstwhile Umayyad general and a main leader of the Qaysi tribes in the factional wars with the Banu Kalb and Taghlib.

Sufyan ibn al-Abrad al-Kalbi al-Asamm was a general of the Umayyad Caliphate who served under caliphs Mu'awiya II, Marwan I and Abd al-Malik. He backed the latter against his own tribesmen during a coup attempt in 689. He was a key figure in securing the Umayyad hold over Iraq during the governorship of al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf, helping the latter defeat the Kharijites in 696–697 and the rebellion of Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn al-Ash'ath in 700–701.

Zuhayr ibn Jadhīma ibn Rawāḥa al-ʿAbsī was the chieftain of the Banu Abs who ultimately became the leader of the Ghatafan and Hawazin tribal confederations in pre-Islamic Arabia in the mid-6th century.

Natil ibn Qays ibn Zayd al-Judhami was the chieftain of the Banu Judham tribe and a prominent tribal leader in Palestine during the reigns of caliphs Mu'awiya I and Yazid I. In 684, he revolted against the Umayyads, took control of Palestine and gave his allegiance to Caliph Abd Allah ibn al-Zubayr. He joined the latter in Mecca after pro-Zubayrid forces were routed at the Battle of Marj Rahit. He may have renewed his rebellion in Palestine in 685/86 and was slain during the hostilities.

Yaman was an Arab tribal confederation, originating from South Arabia, known for their centuries-long rivalry with the Qays, another Arab tribal confederation. As late as the nineteenth century battles were fought in Palestine between Qays and Yaman groups.

References

  1. ↑ Ibn Abd Rabbih, ed. Boullata 2011, p. 275.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Lecker 2002, p. 558.
  3. ↑ Rihan 2014, pp. 89–90.
  4. ↑ Munt, p. 38, n. 101.
  5. ↑ Goldziher, Ignaz (1971). Stern, S. M. (ed.). Muslim Studies, Vol. 2. Albany: State University of New York Press. p. 160. ISBN   9780873952347.
  6. 1 2 Rihan 2014, p. 90.
  7. ↑ Munt 2014, pp. 39–40.
  8. ↑ Munt 2014, p. 40, n. 108.
  9. ↑ Munt 2014, pp. 38–39.
  10. 1 2 Munt 2014, p. 39.
  11. 1 2 Krenkow 1936, p. 1237.
  12. ↑ Rihan 2014, p. 120.

Bibliography

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