Those who remained steadfast on Islam During the Apostasy Part 1

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents

 

Those Who Remained Steadfast on Islam During the Apostasy

 

Those Who Remained Steadfast on Islam in Hijaz and the Arabian Peninsula

Among those who remained steadfast on Islam in Hijaz during the Fitnah of Apostasy were the people of Makkah, the Thaqif, and the people of Madinah. This fact is agreed upon by all historians. They were a support and an aid, after Allah, to the Islamic State in suppressing the Fitnah that came about due to the apostates from some of the tribes such as the Asad, Dhubyan, and Ghatafan. The tribes residing between Makkah, Madinah, and al Ta’if remained firm on their Islam. The tribes of Muzaynah, Ghifar, Juhaynah, Bali, some of Ashja’, Aslam, Thaqif^[1], ‘Abs, some of Banu Sulaim^[2], Tayyi’, Hudhayl, Ahl al Sarah, Bajilah, and Khath’am remained firm on their Islam.^[3]

Indeed, the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam sent Ka’b ibn Malik al Ansari^[4] radiya Llahu ‘anhu to the Aslam, Ghifar, Muzaynah, and Juhaynah. When they received news of the Prophet’s salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam death, they paid their Zakat to his Khalifah, Abu Bakr al Siddiq radiya Llahu ‘anhu, who used it to fight against the apostates. The same was done by the Banu Kalb and Ashja’; the Banu Kalb sent their Zakat to Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu along with their Zakat leader, Bishr ibn Sufyan al Ka’bi^[5], and Ashja’ sent their Zakat with Mas’ud ibn Rukhaylah al Ashja’i^[6], which was used in fighting the apostates.^[7]

Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu sent messages to those around him including the Aslam, Ghifar, Muzaynah, Ashja’, Juhaynah, and Ka’b, ordering them to fight against the apostates, and they responded to him to the extent that Madinah was filled with them. They had horses and camels that they put under the command of the Khalifah, Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

To explain the abundance of men from these tribes and the magnitude of their support for the Khalifah is that the Juhaynah alone brought to the Khalifah four hundred of its men along with riding animals and horses, as reported in a narration from Saburah al Juhani^[8]. ‘Amr ibn Murrah al Juhani^[9] brought a hundred camels to aid the Muslims, which Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu distributed among the people.^[10]

Even the Asad and Ghatafan were not all with Tulayhah al Asadi in his apostasy, but a group from them remained steadfast on Islam as reported by al Kala’i^[11], Ibn A’tham^[12], and al Waqidi^[13]. Dirar ibn al Azwar^[14] played an active role in this; he wrote to the righteous people of the Banu Asad, inviting them to adhere to Islam, and the last of those he wrote to was Ja’unah ibn Marthad al Asadi.^[15]

 

Those From the Banu Asad Who Remained Steadfast on Islam

There was a group from the Banu Asad who remained steadfast on Islam and were with Khalid radiya Llahu ‘anhu when he marched with his army to fight against the apostates in this region. Wathimah mentioned the names of a number of people who remained steadfast on Islam from the Banu Asad and left Tulayhah ibn Khuwaylid al Asadi, including:

 

1. Dhubyan ibn Rabi’ah al Asadi

He said to Tulayhah when he claimed prophethood:

 

إنما أنت امرؤ يخطئ ويصيب فائتنا بمثل القرآن وإلا فاكفنا نفسك

You are a man who makes mistakes and gets things right. Bring us something like the Qur’an or else stop bothering us.^[16]

 

2. ‘Abdur Rahman ibn Arbad al Asadi[17]

 

3 ‘Abdur Rahman ibn al Azwar al Asadi

He is the brother of Dirar ibn al Azwar radiya Llahu ‘anhu, the Sahabi. He was in his people’s land when Tulayhah claimed prophethood. He spoke to his brother, Dirar, to rally the Ansar to fight against those in al Butah from the apostates with a poem, the beginning of which was:

طال البكاء لفرقة الأنصار

قد قلت للمرء الشقيق ضرار

I have indeed said to the man, my own brother, Dirar,

Long is the weeping for the squad of the Ansar.^[18]

 

4. Hubaysh al Asadi

He denied Tulayhah, and he composed verses about it, a few lines of which are:

طليح وأن الدين دين محمد

شهدت بأن الله لا رب غيره

I bear witness that there is no lord but Allah,

O Tulayhah! And that the religion is the religion of Muhammad.

 

Hubaysh and his sons Ghassan^[19] and ‘Abdur Rahman^[20] left Tulayhah.^[21]

 

5. Ghalib ibn Bishr al Asadi

He was among the wise men and noblemen of the Banu Asad.^[22]

 

6. Yazid ibn Hudhayfah al Asadi

His son, Zufar, remained steadfast with him on Islam. He was from the nobles of the Banu Asad. He joined Khalid ibn al Walid radiya Llahu ‘anhu, and sent a message to the Banu Asad warning them through poetry, some verses of which are:

يطاع بها يا قوم في حَي فَقْعَس

بني أسد ما في طليحـة خصلة

O sons of Asad, there is no trait in Tulayhah,

By which he should be obeyed, O people of my tribe, so be careful.^[23]

 

7. ‘Awf ibn ‘Abdullah al Asadi

He was among those who witnessed the war with Khalid radiya Llahu ‘anhu at al Buzakhah, and he is the one who said about it:

بيض الوجوه حواسرا كالربرب	يوم اختلعنا بالرماح عذاريا
وسط العجاجة كالسقاب المحقب	ونجا طليحة مردفًا امرأته

The day we separated the maidens [from their spouses] with spears,

White-faced, unveiled like a herd of gazelles.

And Tulayhah escaped, seating his wife behind him,

Through the rising dust, resembling a newly-born camel struggling to urinate.^[24]

 

Those From the Banu Fazarah and Ghatafan who Remained Steadfast on Islam

Among those who remained steadfast on Islam among the Banu Fazarah and Ghatafan, as Wathimah mentioned are:

 

1. Haram ibn Qutbah ibn Sinan al Fazari

He was among those who urged ‘Uyaynah ibn Hisn to remain steadfast on Islam. He said to him in a lengthy sermon, recalling their past wars and defeats saying:

 

اذكر عواقب البغي يوم الهباءة ولجاج الرهان يوم قيس وهزيمتك يوم الأحزاب

Recall the outcome of rebellion on the Day of Haba’ah, the relentless insistence on betting on the Day of Qais, and your defeat on the Day of al Ahzab.

 

However, ‘Uyaynah did not accept. So, he left him and composed poetry about him. He used to arbitrate among the Arabs during al Jahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era).^[25]

 

2. Ziyad ibn ‘Abdullah al Ghatafani

He was among those who left ‘Uyaynah ibn Hisn when the latter pledged allegiance to Tulayhah during the Apostasy. He then joined Khalid ibn al Walid radiya Llahu ‘anhu and composed a poem for this occasion, including the following verses:

قولاً يشير به الشقيق الناصح	أبلغ عيينة أن عرضت لداره
كلب بأكناف البزاخة نابح	أعلمت أن طليحة بن خويلد
ومهاجرون مسومون سوابح	كيف البقاء إذا أتاكم خالد

Convey to ‘Uyaynah that I have sent a message directed to his home, from an advising brother,

You knew that Tulayhah ibn Khuwaylid is a dog barking on the outskirts of al Buzakhah.

How can you remain when Khalid and the Muhajirin come to you, riding on swift horses?^[26]

 

Those From the Banu ‘Amir Who Remained Steadfast on Islam

 

1. Abu Harb Rabi’ah ibn Khuwaylid al ‘Aqili

Al Kala’i^[27] mentioned that among those who remained steadfast on Islam in this region from the Banu ‘Amir ibn Rabi’ah was Abu Harb Rabi’ah ibn Khuwaylid al ‘Aqili^[28], who stood up against his people, reminding them of their support for ‘Amir ibn al Tufayl in killing the Muslims on the Day of Bi’r Ma’unah^[29].

Al ‘Aqili was a knight of ‘Amir at that time and an important man. But they did not heed him.

 

2. The Family of ‘Alqamah ibn ‘Ulathah

Among those who did not apostatise from the Banu ‘Amir was the family of ‘Alqamah ibn ‘Ulathah ibn ‘Awf al Ahwas ibn Jafar^[30], as narrated by al Kala’i.^[31]

 

3. Qurrah ibn Hubayrah al Qushayri

The preferred opinion is that Qurrah ibn Hubayrah al Qushayri^[32], one of the leaders of the Banu ‘Amir ibn Sa’sa’ah, did not apostatise from Islam; because he stood among his people speaking to them, warning them, and inducing in them fear of Khalid ibn al Walid radiya Llahu ‘anhu. And he implored them to fear Allah and return to His religion.^[33]

Qurrah’s conversation with al Siddiq radiya Llahu ‘anhu, when he appeared before him, also showed that he did not apostatise. He explained his negative stance to the apostates and his not aiding the Muslims by saying that he had wealth and children and was afraid of losing them if he opposed the apostates. He confirmed that his heart had not apostatised. Therefore, al Siddiq radiya Llahu ‘anhu pardoned him.^[34]

What also shows the steadfastness of members from the Banu ‘Amir and Hawazin on Islam is the story of al Fuja’ah, as the narration by al Tabari^[35] states that he launched a raid against every Muslim in the tribes of Sulaim, ‘Amir, and Hawazin. When Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu received this news, he dispatched Turayfah ibn Hajiz with orders to gather forces against him and travel to him.^[36]

Wathimah named and spoke of the stances of numerous individuals who remained firm on Islam from the Banu ‘Amir, other than those we mentioned, including:

 

4. ‘Umarah ibn Qurayt al ‘Amiri

It has been also said that his name was actually ‘Umar. He was one of those who warned his people in an eloquent sermon, where he said:

 

أما الصلاة فنوركم وأما الزكاة فطهوركم

As for Salah, it is your light, and as for Zakat, it is your purification.

 

He composed poetry about this, including the following lines:

بني عامر والحق جد ثقيل	ثقلت صلاة المسلمين عليكم
ألا لا تقروا منهما بـقــتـيـل	واتبعتموها بالزكاة وقلتم
سبيلكم في كل شر سبيل	فلا يُبعد الله المهيمن غيركم

O Banu Amir, the truth is indeed heavy,
just as the  Salah of the Muslims weighed heavy upon you.

You then followed it by withholding the Zakat, and you said, “Do not acknowledge either of their slain,”

May Allah, the Protector, not banish anyone but you; your path is a path to every evil.^[37]

 

5. ‘Abdullah ibn Khunays al ‘Amiri

He composed poems regarding the Fitnah of Apostasy, one of which is:

على كفرها بعد إسلامها	لعمري لئن أجمعت عامر
لقد رزئت عُظم أحلامها	ومناهـم قـرة القـرهـات
وأهلكها منع أنعامهـا	أضاع الصلاة بنو عامر
ووصم النساء لأيتامها	وفي منعك الحق سفك دما

By my life, if the Banu ‘Amir are unified in their disbelief after Islam,

And they have been afflicted by Qurrah who speaks drivel, most of their dreams have been taken from them.

The Banu ‘Amir have abandoned prayer, and being deprived of its blessings has destroyed them,

And by you preventing the truth, you have caused blood to be spilled, and dishonoured the women, leaving them with orphans.

Qurrah who is mentioned here is the son of Hubayrah al Yashkuri. He was their leader during the days of Apostasy.^[38]

 

6. ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Utbah al ‘Amiri, one of the Banu Nufayl

He was a great elder and was honoured by his people. As part of his poetry advising his people and forbidding them from apostasy, he said:

ولا جمرة في الناس من غطفان	بني عامر لستم بأخوف شوكة
وليس لكم بالمسلمين يدان	وليس لكم بالبحرين حابس طاقة

Banu ‘Amir, you are not a more fearsome thorn nor a pebble to the people than Ghatafan.

There is nothing in Bahrain withholding your strength, and nor do you all profess to be Muslims.^[39]

 

7. Al Harith ibn Murrah ibn Dudan al Nufayli al ‘Amiri

He composed the following lines advising the Banu ‘Amir:

وإن تنصبوا لله والدين تخذلوا	بني عامر إن تنصروا الله تنصروا
وإن تثبتوا للقوم والله تقتلوا	وإن تهزموا لا ينجكم منه مهرب

If you, the Banu ‘Amir, support Allah, you will be helped.

And if you have enmity towards Allah and the religion, you will be met with disappointment.

And if you are defeated, no escape will be able to save you from Him.

And if you stand firm for the people, by Allah, you will be killed.^[40]

 

8. ‘Abdullah ibn Murrah al ‘Amiri

He gathered his people when Qurrah ibn Hubayrah attempted to mislead them, advising and warning them. He also composed poems in this regard.^[41]

 

9. Hubayrah ibn al Mufadah (or Mufadah) al ‘Amiri

He sent letters to the Banu Sulaim urging them to be firm on Islam.

 

NEXT⇒ Those who remained steadfast on Islam During the Apostasy Part 2

---

^[1]  Abu al Rabi’ Sulaiman ibn Musa al Kala’i al Andalusi: Al Khilafah al Rashidah wa al Butulah al Khalidah fi Hurub al Riddah, pg. 41, 2nd edition, edited and published by Dr. Ahmed Ghunaym, Dar al Ittihad al ‘Arabi li al Tiba’ah, Cairo, 1401 AH/1981 CE.

^[2]  Ibid. Also see Muhammad ibn Jarir al Tabari: Tarikh al Rusul wa al Muluk, 3/242, 4th edition, edited by Muhammad Abu al Fadl Ibrahim, Dar al Ma’arif, Cairo, 1977. More details to follow.

^[3]  Hurub al Riddah, pg. 42. Also see the report on the Tayyi’ on pages 42-46 of this book.

^[4]  For his biography, see Ahmed ibn ‘Ali ibn Hajar al ‘Asqalani: Al Isabah fi Tamyiz al Sahabah, 3/302, Biography: 7433, 1st edition, Matba’at al Sa’adah, Cairo, 1328 AH; Yusuf ibn ‘Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul Barr: Al Isti’ab fi Asma’ al Ashab, as footnotes on al Isabah, 3/286-291.

^[5]  Muhammad ibn Sa’d ibn Mani’: Al Tabaqat al Kubra, 1/293, Dar Sadir, Beirut, 1968; ‘Abdul Malik ibn Hisham ibn Ayyub al Himyari: Al Sirah al Nabawiyyah, 2/309, 2nd edition, edited by Mustafa al Saqqa and others, Maktabat al Halabi, Cairo, 1375 AH/1955 CE; al Isabah, 1/151; al Isti’ab, 1/163-164.

^[6]  He was the leader of the tribe of Ashja’ in the Battle of the Trench. He advanced to meet the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam at the head of the delegation of his tribe for negotiation; they then embraced Islam. Refer to al Isabah, 3/410, Biography: 7943; al Tabaqat, 2/66, 1/306.

^[7]  Al Kala’i: Hurub al Riddah, pg. 44; al Diyar Bakri (Hussain ibn Muhammad ibn al Hasan, d. 966 AH): Tarikh al Khamis fi Ahwal Anfus Nafis, 2/21-23, Mu’assasah Sha’ban, Beirut.

^[8]  He is Saburah ibn Ma’bad al Juhani, also known as Ibn ‘Awsajah ibn Harmalah ibn Saburah ibn Khadij ibn Malik ibn ‘Amr al Juhani, nicknamed Abu Thurayyah. Usd al Ghabah, 2/260; al Isabah, 2/14, Biography: 3087; al Isti’ab, 2/75.

^[9]  He is ‘Amr ibn Murrah ibn ‘Abs ibn Malik al Juhani, from the tribe of Ghatafan ibn Qais ibn Juhaynah. He is known as al Juhani and sometimes al Azdi, more commonly as al Juhani; he used to maintain the idol of the Juhaynah during pre-Islamic times, and when he heard about the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and his call, he smashed it and came to Madinah and embraced Islam. Al Tabaqat, 1/333; al Isti’ab, 2/519.

^[10]  Hurub al Riddah, pg. 55; Tarikh al Khamis, pg. 204.

^[11]  Hurub al Riddah, pg. 67.

^[12]  Ahmed ibn A’tham al Kufi: Kitab al Futuh, pg. 72, 1st edition, supervised by Dr. Muhammad ‘Abdul Mu’id Khan, Matba’ah Maslahah Da’irat al Ma’arif al ‘Uthmaniyyah, Hyderabad Deccan, 1388 AH/1968 CE.

^[13]  Muhammad ibn ‘Umar al Waqidi: Kitab al Riddah, pg. 72.

^[14]  Refer to his lineage, biography, and Jihad in al Isabah, 2/208-209, Biography: 4172; ‘Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al Athir: Usd al Ghabah fi Ma’rifat al Sahabah, 3/39-40, Jam’iyyat al Ma’arif, Hyderabad Deccan, India.

^[15]  Al Isabah, 1/262, Biography: 1292. He has poetry regarding Tulayhah mentioned by al Waqidi and Ibn Hajar:

وليس لقوم حاربوا الله محرم	بني أسد قد ساءني ما فعلتم
حنيفٌ على الدين القويم ومسلم	فإني وإن عبتم عليّ سفاهةً

Banu Asad! I am displeased with what you did,

And there is no sanctuary for people who fought against Allah.

Indeed, I am, even if you insult me, calling me foolish,

A Hanif on the firm religion and a Muslim.

Al Waqidi: Kitab al Riddah, pg. 74.

^[16]  Wathimah ibn Musa ibn al Furat al Farisi al Fasawi al Washa’ (d. 237 AH): Qita’ min Kitab al Riddah Ma’khudh min Kitab al Isabah li Ibn Hajar al ‘Asqalani, pg. 2, arranged, edited, and explained by Dr. Wilhelm Hoenerbach, Scholars and Writers Association Press, Münster, 1951; al Isabah, 1/491. Ibn Hajar said, “And in a copy from the book of Wathimah (Zubyan).”

^[17]  Wathimah: Ibid., pg. 2; al Isabah, 3/96, Biography: 6365.

^[18]  Wathimah: Ibid., pg. 2; al Isabah, 3/96, Biography: 6366.

^[19]  Wathimah: Ibid., pg. 3; al Isabah, 1/373, Biography: 1951.

^[20]  Wathimah: Ibid.; al Isabah, 3/194, Biography: 6935.

^[21]  Wathimah: Ibid.; al Isabah, 3/96, Biography: 6368.

^[22]  Wathimah: Ibid.; al Isabah, 3/193, Biography: 6930.

^[23]  Wathimah: Ibid., pg. 3-4; al Isabah, 3/674, Biography: 9397.

^[24]  Wathimah: Ibid., pg. 5; al Isabah, 3/674, Biography: 6540.

^[25]  Wathimah: Ibid., pg. 4; al Isabah, 3/618, Biography: 9045.

^[26]  Wathimah: Ibid.; al Isabah, 1/581, Biography: 2989; al Waqidi: Kitab al Riddah, pg. 81.

^[27]  Hurub al Riddah, pg. 84.

^[28]  Ibn Khuwaylid ibn Salamah ibn Hilal ibn ‘Amir ibn ‘A’idh ibn Kulayb. See his lineage and story in al Isabah, 1/507, Biography: 2596 and 4/43, Biography: 266; Usd al Ghabah, 2/167.

^[29]  Referring to the tragedy of Bi’r Ma’unah where nearly seventy Companions, known as the Qurra’ (reciters), were killed by the polytheists of Najd. This incident took place between the land of the Banu ‘Amir and the lava field (Harrah) of the Banu Sulaim. See this story in the books of Hadith and Sirah; for example: Sahih al Bukhari, 2/584, 586, 587, 588, al Maktabah al Rahimiyyah, Deoband, India, 1384-1387 AH; Sirah Ibn Hisham, 2/183-188; al Tabaqat, 2/51, 54, etc.; al Waqidi: Kitab al Riddah, pg. 72.

^[30]  He was from al Mu’allafah Qulubuhum (new reverts to Islam whose hearts were still to be won), as mentioned in al Isti’ab, 3/126. Then, he sincerely reverted to Islam, emigrated, and pledged allegiance as mentioned in al Tabaqat, 1/272, 311; Usd al Ghabah, 4/13.

^[31]  Hurub al Riddah, pg. 89.

^[32]  He came to the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam with the delegation of the Qushayr ibn Ka’b and he accepted Islam. The Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam gave him the task of overseeing the Zakat of his tribe. Usd al Ghabah, 4/203-204; al Tabaqat, 1/303; al Isti’ab, 3/253-254; al Isabah, 3/234, Biography: 7106. His story with ‘Amr ibn al ‘As and his lineage are mentioned in these sources.

^[33]  Ibn A’tham: Kitab al Futuh, pg. 10; Hurub al Riddah, pg. 83-88; ‘Ali ibn Ahmed ibn Abi al Karam: Al Kamil fi al Tarikh, 2/349-352, Dar Sadir, Beirut, 1385 AH/1965 CE; and Kitab al Futuh, pg. 17 onwards.

^[34]  Al Isabah, 3/234-235, Biography: 7106.

^[35]  Tarikh al Tabari, 3/264; Tarikh al Khamis, 2/202.

^[36]  Mention of them will come later, Allah willing.

^[37]  Wathimah: Qita’ min Kitab al Riddah, pg. 6; al Isabah, 3/112, Biography: 6465.

^[38]  Wathimah: Ibid., pg. 7; al Isabah, 3/89, Biography: 6312.

^[39]  Wathimah: Ibid., pg. 8; al Isabah, 3/92, Biography: 6334.

^[40]  Wathimah: Ibid.; al Isabah, 1/371, Biography: 1931.

^[41]  Wathimah: Ibid.; al Isabah, 3/94, Biography: 6350.