Those who remained steadfast on Islam During the Apostasy Part 4
Those who remained steadfast on Islam During the Apostasy Part 3
August 31, 2023
THE BATTLE OF UHUD
September 5, 2023BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents
Those from the Banu Tamim who remained steadfast on Islam
Not all the tribes, all the individuals, or all the leaders of Banu Tamim apostatized from Islam, as some recent historians have tried to depict. The truth is that due to the strength and stability of the Islam of some families, individuals, and leaders of Banu Tamim; Malik ibn Nuwayrah[1] was able to convince Sajah al Tamimiyah[2] to fight against them before fighting against Abu Bakr al Siddiq. When she faced the Muslims of Tamim in battle, she suffered a crushing defeat at their hands. Thereafter, she held back from going to Madinah and headed to Yamamah, where the agreement with Musaylimah al Kadhdhab was made to wage war against Islam.
Historical narratives have collaborated to confirm this fact that we have mentioned. An example is what has been related in the first narration; when Malik ibn Nuwayrah learned of the news of the death of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he returned to the people all of the Sadaqah that he had collected from them.[3] Ibn Qa’nab, the leader of Banu Yarbu’—a branch of Banu Tamim—confronted them, saying:
يابني تميم بئس ما ظننتم أن ترجعوا في صدقاتكم ولا يرجع في نعمة عليكم وأن تحردوا للبلاء ويلبسكم الله العافية وأن تستشعروا خوف الكفر وتسكنوا في أمن الإسلام إنكم أعطيتم قليلا من كثير والله مذهب الكثير بالقليل فأطيعوا الله واعـصـوا مالكا
O Banu Tamim, how terrible it is what you think, that you take back your alms but He will not retract His favours upon you, that you throw yourselves into calamity while Allah has enveloped you with wellbeing![4] And that you fear disbelief and reside in the safety of Islam! You have given a little of much, and Allah is the one who gives much for a little… So, obey Allah and disobey Malik.[5]
The narrative says that Malik spoke afterward, following Ibn Qa’nab’s[6] words. The Banu Hanzalah—his closest relatives—agreed with him and assigned him their affairs.
The second narration suggests that when the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam passed away, his governors over the Banu Tamim were: al Zibriqan ibn Badr[7], who was in charge of al Rabab and ‘Awf and the Abna’[8], Qays ibn ‘Asim[9] over Maqa’is and the tribes, Safwan ibn Safwan[10] and Saburah ibn ‘Amr[11] over the Banu ‘Amr, one in charge of Bahda and the other over Khaddam—two tribes from Banu Tamim, and Waki’ ibn Malik[12] and Malik ibn Nuwayrah were appointed over Banu Hanzalah, one over Banu Malik and the other over Banu Yarbu’.
When they received the news of the death of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Safwan came forward with the charity of his people, the Banu ‘Amr, which he was assigned to, as well as that which was assigned to Saburah. Saburah stayed with his people on account of any incident that might be a means on corrupting his people. Al Zibriqan ibn Badr[13] also came to Madinah.
The content of this narration indicates that those from the Banu Tamim who adhered to Islam were more than those who were hesitant and apostatized. Those who refused to pay Zakah were: Banu Hanzalah, al Maqa’is, and three tribes led by Malik ibn Nuwayrah, Waki’, and Qays. ‘Awf and the Abna’ confronted the tribes, al Rabab took on Maqa’is, Khaddam dealt with Malik, while Bahda confronted Yarbu’.[14]
The third narration reflects the role of al Rabab, specifically, in standing up against the apostates, and thus Sajah and her group considered them to be worthy opponents to fight against.[15]
The fourth narration indicates to Malik ibn Nuwayrah advising Sajah to fight the tribes of Tamim who did not apostatize, before she went to Madinah to fight the Khalifah Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu. It also indicates that ‘Utarid ibn Hajib[16] and the leaders of Banu Malik and Hanzalah all fled to al ‘Anbar, and that they disliked what Malik ibn Nuwayrah had done.
The same narration also makes reference to the great confrontation that took place between al Rabab and Sajah that eventually ended in a peace agreement, when Sajah failed to gain control over the Muslims of Tamim. This narration also speaks about Qays ibn ‘Asim’s regret for following the apostates and that he sent his people’s charity to Madinah.[17] Among those captured in this war was Waki’. The odds were against Sajah and her group.[18]
The fifth narration, which complements the fourth, indicates that Banu ‘Amr, led by Aws ibn Khuzaymah al Hujaymi,[19] attacked Sajah. They managed to capture al Hudhayl and ‘Aqqah, the leaders of Sajah’s army, and prevented her from crossing into their land.[20] The man who captured al Hudhayl was from the Banu Mazin, then one of the Banu Wabr named Nashirah, and the one who captured ‘Aqqah was ‘Abdah al Hujaymi[21].
From this, it is clear that Banu ‘Amr took a noble stance against the false prophet, Sajah.[22]
The sixth narration from Ibn al Athir confirms that groups from Banu Tamim remained steadfast on Islam and stood against the apostates and doubters. Due to the firmness of the Muslims of Tamim against Sajah in particular, she was unable to cross their land to get to Madinah, so that is why she went to al Yamamah.[23]
As al Tabari[24] narrates:
ولم يبق في بلاد بني حنظلة شيء يكره إلا ما كان من مالك بن نويرة ومن تأشب إليه بالبطاح فهو في حاله متحير شج وذلك لأن وكيع وسماعة عرفا قبح ما أتيا فرجعا رجوعا حسنا ولم يتجبرا وأخرجا الصدقات واستقبلا بها خالدا
… Nothing reprehensible remained in the lands of Banu Hanzalah except for Malik ibn Nuwayrah and those who allied with him in al Butah, as he was in a state of confusion and distress; this was because Waki’ and Sama’ah[25] recognized the ugliness of what they had done, so they made a good return and did not act arrogantly. They took out the Sadaqah that was due from them and met Khalid with them.[26]
Even before all that, the Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam sought the assistance of Ziyad ibn Hanzalah[27] al Tamimi and sent him to Qays ibn ‘Asim and al Zibriqan ibn Badr to be of help to each other against Musaylimah, Tulayhah, and al Aswad al ‘Ansi.[28]
NEXT⇒ Those who remained steadfast on Islam During the Apostasy Part 5
[1] The Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam made him responsible for collecting charity from his people, the Banu Yarbu’ who are part of the Banu Tamim. He held back his people’s charities when he heard of the Messenger’s salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam death, and this was one of the reasons that he was killed by Khalid ibn al Walid. See: Hurub al Riddah, pg. 43 and 93 and thereafter; al Isabah, 3/357, biography: 7696.
[2] She is Sajah bint al Harith ibn Suwayd ibn ‘Uqfan, originally from Tamim. She and her family from her father ‘Uqfan converted to Christianity in the area of Banu Taghlib in al Jazirah. She claimed prophethood among them after the death of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, so al Hudhayl ibn ‘Imran and Taghlib responded to her, and they abandoned Christianity. They then advanced to attack Madinah in their numbers. See her story in al Tabari, 3/269-272; Ibn A’tham: al Futuh, pg. 25; al Kamil, 2/353-357; al Bidayah wa al Nihayah, 6/360-361; Hurub al Riddah, pg. 107-109.
[3] See this event in al Futuh by Ibn A’tham, 1/21.
[4] The act of advancing towards something, from the root H-R-D.
[5] Hurub al Riddah, pg. 94.
[6] Ibid.
[7] One of Banu Sa’d. He came to the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in the deputation of Tamim, and they became Muslims. The Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam entrusted him with the charities of his people and Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu allowed him to continue in this position. He lived until the Caliphate of Muawiyah radiya Llahu ‘anhu. See his biography in: al Isabah, 1/543-544, biography 2782; al Tabaqat, 1/294 and 2/161; Usd al Ghabah, 2/194.
[8] The term “Al Abna’” when talking about Yemen refers to a group of Persian origin, see pg. 45, footnote 2. However, in this text, it may refer to tribes from Tamim, for this see: Mu’jam Qaba’il al ‘Arab al Qadimah wa al Hadithah by ‘Umar Rida Kahhalah, Part 1 under the letter ‘Alif’, 1/3-4, published in 1368 AH.
[9] He is Qays ibn ‘Asim ibn Sinan ibn Maqa’is and his name is al Harith ibn ‘Amr ibn Ka’b ibn Tamim al Tamimi al Minqari, the chief of Ahl al Wabar. He came to the Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam with the delegation of Tamim and converted to Islam along with Qays ibn ‘Asim ibn al Harith al Numayri (we mentioned this to differentiate between the two). See: al Isabah, 3/252-254, biography: 7194 and the biography of al Numayri under 7193; al Tabaqat, 1/294-295; al Isti’ab, 3/232-234; Usd al Ghabah, 4/219-220.
[10] See this in: al Isabah, 2/188, biography: 4076; Usd al Ghabah, 3/23.
[11] He came to the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in the delegation of Tamim. Khalid ibn al Walid appointed him as a commander when he went to Iraq and he was with al Muthanna ibn Harithah al Shaybani as one of his commanders in the wars of Iraq. See: al Isabah, 2/13, biography: 3083; al Isti’ab, 2/76-77; Usd al Ghabah, 2/259.
[12] The Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam appointed him and Malik ibn Nuwayrah to be in charge of the charities of Banu Hanzalah and Banu Yarbu’. He initially followed Sajah, then separated from her and gave his people’s charities to Khalid ibn al Walid and apologized to him, and he was a good Muslim. See: al Isabah, 3/639, biography: 9141.
[13] Al Tabari, 3/267-268, see the story of the delegation of Banu Tamim to the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in the Sirat of Ibn Hisham, 2/560-567, and the story of Qays ibn ‘Asim specifically in al Isabah, 3/252-254, biography: 7194.
[14] See: al Tabari, 3/268.
[15] Al Bidayah wa al Nihayah, 6/360-361; and also, al Tabari, 3/269.
[16] The poet of the delegation of Tamim to the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. See his lineage and biography in Sirat ibn Hisham, 2/560-562; al Tabaqat, 1/294, 2/161, 3/254; Usd al Ghabah, 3/411.
[17] Al Kamil, 2/354, 300; also see in al Tabari, 3/269. He states that those who fled to him were ‘Utarid and leader of Banu Malik, namely Saburah ibn ‘Amr, and that people like them from Banu Yarbu’ stayed with al Husayn ibn Niyar from Banu Mazin.
[18] See al Tabari, 3/270; al Kamil, 2/354-355.
[19] Aws ibn Khuzaymah al Hujaymi: no biographical data found.
[20] Al Kamil, 2/355 (his wording); al Tabari, 3/271.
[21] Al Tabari, 3/271.
[22] Al Tabari, 3/271.
[23] Al Kamil, 2/354.
[24] Al Tabari, 3/271-272.
[25] Sama’ah: no biographical data found.
[26] Al Tabari, 2/76; al Kamil, 2/357.
[27] See Usd al Ghabah, 2/213; al Isti’ab, 1/567; al Isabah, 1/557, biography: 2752.
[28] The same two sources and locations (al Isti’ab and al Isabah).
BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents
Those from the Banu Tamim who remained steadfast on Islam
Not all the tribes, all the individuals, or all the leaders of Banu Tamim apostatized from Islam, as some recent historians have tried to depict. The truth is that due to the strength and stability of the Islam of some families, individuals, and leaders of Banu Tamim; Malik ibn Nuwayrah[1] was able to convince Sajah al Tamimiyah[2] to fight against them before fighting against Abu Bakr al Siddiq. When she faced the Muslims of Tamim in battle, she suffered a crushing defeat at their hands. Thereafter, she held back from going to Madinah and headed to Yamamah, where the agreement with Musaylimah al Kadhdhab was made to wage war against Islam.
Historical narratives have collaborated to confirm this fact that we have mentioned. An example is what has been related in the first narration; when Malik ibn Nuwayrah learned of the news of the death of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he returned to the people all of the Sadaqah that he had collected from them.[3] Ibn Qa’nab, the leader of Banu Yarbu’—a branch of Banu Tamim—confronted them, saying:
يابني تميم بئس ما ظننتم أن ترجعوا في صدقاتكم ولا يرجع في نعمة عليكم وأن تحردوا للبلاء ويلبسكم الله العافية وأن تستشعروا خوف الكفر وتسكنوا في أمن الإسلام إنكم أعطيتم قليلا من كثير والله مذهب الكثير بالقليل فأطيعوا الله واعـصـوا مالكا
O Banu Tamim, how terrible it is what you think, that you take back your alms but He will not retract His favours upon you, that you throw yourselves into calamity while Allah has enveloped you with wellbeing![4] And that you fear disbelief and reside in the safety of Islam! You have given a little of much, and Allah is the one who gives much for a little… So, obey Allah and disobey Malik.[5]
The narrative says that Malik spoke afterward, following Ibn Qa’nab’s[6] words. The Banu Hanzalah—his closest relatives—agreed with him and assigned him their affairs.
The second narration suggests that when the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam passed away, his governors over the Banu Tamim were: al Zibriqan ibn Badr[7], who was in charge of al Rabab and ‘Awf and the Abna’[8], Qays ibn ‘Asim[9] over Maqa’is and the tribes, Safwan ibn Safwan[10] and Saburah ibn ‘Amr[11] over the Banu ‘Amr, one in charge of Bahda and the other over Khaddam—two tribes from Banu Tamim, and Waki’ ibn Malik[12] and Malik ibn Nuwayrah were appointed over Banu Hanzalah, one over Banu Malik and the other over Banu Yarbu’.
When they received the news of the death of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Safwan came forward with the charity of his people, the Banu ‘Amr, which he was assigned to, as well as that which was assigned to Saburah. Saburah stayed with his people on account of any incident that might be a means on corrupting his people. Al Zibriqan ibn Badr[13] also came to Madinah.
The content of this narration indicates that those from the Banu Tamim who adhered to Islam were more than those who were hesitant and apostatized. Those who refused to pay Zakah were: Banu Hanzalah, al Maqa’is, and three tribes led by Malik ibn Nuwayrah, Waki’, and Qays. ‘Awf and the Abna’ confronted the tribes, al Rabab took on Maqa’is, Khaddam dealt with Malik, while Bahda confronted Yarbu’.[14]
The third narration reflects the role of al Rabab, specifically, in standing up against the apostates, and thus Sajah and her group considered them to be worthy opponents to fight against.[15]
The fourth narration indicates to Malik ibn Nuwayrah advising Sajah to fight the tribes of Tamim who did not apostatize, before she went to Madinah to fight the Khalifah Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu. It also indicates that ‘Utarid ibn Hajib[16] and the leaders of Banu Malik and Hanzalah all fled to al ‘Anbar, and that they disliked what Malik ibn Nuwayrah had done.
The same narration also makes reference to the great confrontation that took place between al Rabab and Sajah that eventually ended in a peace agreement, when Sajah failed to gain control over the Muslims of Tamim. This narration also speaks about Qays ibn ‘Asim’s regret for following the apostates and that he sent his people’s charity to Madinah.[17] Among those captured in this war was Waki’. The odds were against Sajah and her group.[18]
The fifth narration, which complements the fourth, indicates that Banu ‘Amr, led by Aws ibn Khuzaymah al Hujaymi,[19] attacked Sajah. They managed to capture al Hudhayl and ‘Aqqah, the leaders of Sajah’s army, and prevented her from crossing into their land.[20] The man who captured al Hudhayl was from the Banu Mazin, then one of the Banu Wabr named Nashirah, and the one who captured ‘Aqqah was ‘Abdah al Hujaymi[21].
From this, it is clear that Banu ‘Amr took a noble stance against the false prophet, Sajah.[22]
The sixth narration from Ibn al Athir confirms that groups from Banu Tamim remained steadfast on Islam and stood against the apostates and doubters. Due to the firmness of the Muslims of Tamim against Sajah in particular, she was unable to cross their land to get to Madinah, so that is why she went to al Yamamah.[23]
As al Tabari[24] narrates:
ولم يبق في بلاد بني حنظلة شيء يكره إلا ما كان من مالك بن نويرة ومن تأشب إليه بالبطاح فهو في حاله متحير شج وذلك لأن وكيع وسماعة عرفا قبح ما أتيا فرجعا رجوعا حسنا ولم يتجبرا وأخرجا الصدقات واستقبلا بها خالدا
… Nothing reprehensible remained in the lands of Banu Hanzalah except for Malik ibn Nuwayrah and those who allied with him in al Butah, as he was in a state of confusion and distress; this was because Waki’ and Sama’ah[25] recognized the ugliness of what they had done, so they made a good return and did not act arrogantly. They took out the Sadaqah that was due from them and met Khalid with them.[26]
Even before all that, the Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam sought the assistance of Ziyad ibn Hanzalah[27] al Tamimi and sent him to Qays ibn ‘Asim and al Zibriqan ibn Badr to be of help to each other against Musaylimah, Tulayhah, and al Aswad al ‘Ansi.[28]
NEXT⇒ Those who remained steadfast on Islam During the Apostasy Part 5
[1] The Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam made him responsible for collecting charity from his people, the Banu Yarbu’ who are part of the Banu Tamim. He held back his people’s charities when he heard of the Messenger’s salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam death, and this was one of the reasons that he was killed by Khalid ibn al Walid. See: Hurub al Riddah, pg. 43 and 93 and thereafter; al Isabah, 3/357, biography: 7696.
[2] She is Sajah bint al Harith ibn Suwayd ibn ‘Uqfan, originally from Tamim. She and her family from her father ‘Uqfan converted to Christianity in the area of Banu Taghlib in al Jazirah. She claimed prophethood among them after the death of the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, so al Hudhayl ibn ‘Imran and Taghlib responded to her, and they abandoned Christianity. They then advanced to attack Madinah in their numbers. See her story in al Tabari, 3/269-272; Ibn A’tham: al Futuh, pg. 25; al Kamil, 2/353-357; al Bidayah wa al Nihayah, 6/360-361; Hurub al Riddah, pg. 107-109.
[3] See this event in al Futuh by Ibn A’tham, 1/21.
[4] The act of advancing towards something, from the root H-R-D.
[5] Hurub al Riddah, pg. 94.
[6] Ibid.
[7] One of Banu Sa’d. He came to the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in the deputation of Tamim, and they became Muslims. The Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam entrusted him with the charities of his people and Abu Bakr radiya Llahu ‘anhu allowed him to continue in this position. He lived until the Caliphate of Muawiyah radiya Llahu ‘anhu. See his biography in: al Isabah, 1/543-544, biography 2782; al Tabaqat, 1/294 and 2/161; Usd al Ghabah, 2/194.
[8] The term “Al Abna’” when talking about Yemen refers to a group of Persian origin, see pg. 45, footnote 2. However, in this text, it may refer to tribes from Tamim, for this see: Mu’jam Qaba’il al ‘Arab al Qadimah wa al Hadithah by ‘Umar Rida Kahhalah, Part 1 under the letter ‘Alif’, 1/3-4, published in 1368 AH.
[9] He is Qays ibn ‘Asim ibn Sinan ibn Maqa’is and his name is al Harith ibn ‘Amr ibn Ka’b ibn Tamim al Tamimi al Minqari, the chief of Ahl al Wabar. He came to the Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam with the delegation of Tamim and converted to Islam along with Qays ibn ‘Asim ibn al Harith al Numayri (we mentioned this to differentiate between the two). See: al Isabah, 3/252-254, biography: 7194 and the biography of al Numayri under 7193; al Tabaqat, 1/294-295; al Isti’ab, 3/232-234; Usd al Ghabah, 4/219-220.
[10] See this in: al Isabah, 2/188, biography: 4076; Usd al Ghabah, 3/23.
[11] He came to the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in the delegation of Tamim. Khalid ibn al Walid appointed him as a commander when he went to Iraq and he was with al Muthanna ibn Harithah al Shaybani as one of his commanders in the wars of Iraq. See: al Isabah, 2/13, biography: 3083; al Isti’ab, 2/76-77; Usd al Ghabah, 2/259.
[12] The Messenger salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam appointed him and Malik ibn Nuwayrah to be in charge of the charities of Banu Hanzalah and Banu Yarbu’. He initially followed Sajah, then separated from her and gave his people’s charities to Khalid ibn al Walid and apologized to him, and he was a good Muslim. See: al Isabah, 3/639, biography: 9141.
[13] Al Tabari, 3/267-268, see the story of the delegation of Banu Tamim to the Prophet salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam in the Sirat of Ibn Hisham, 2/560-567, and the story of Qays ibn ‘Asim specifically in al Isabah, 3/252-254, biography: 7194.
[14] See: al Tabari, 3/268.
[15] Al Bidayah wa al Nihayah, 6/360-361; and also, al Tabari, 3/269.
[16] The poet of the delegation of Tamim to the Messenger of Allah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. See his lineage and biography in Sirat ibn Hisham, 2/560-562; al Tabaqat, 1/294, 2/161, 3/254; Usd al Ghabah, 3/411.
[17] Al Kamil, 2/354, 300; also see in al Tabari, 3/269. He states that those who fled to him were ‘Utarid and leader of Banu Malik, namely Saburah ibn ‘Amr, and that people like them from Banu Yarbu’ stayed with al Husayn ibn Niyar from Banu Mazin.
[18] See al Tabari, 3/270; al Kamil, 2/354-355.
[19] Aws ibn Khuzaymah al Hujaymi: no biographical data found.
[20] Al Kamil, 2/355 (his wording); al Tabari, 3/271.
[21] Al Tabari, 3/271.
[22] Al Tabari, 3/271.
[23] Al Kamil, 2/354.
[24] Al Tabari, 3/271-272.
[25] Sama’ah: no biographical data found.
[26] Al Tabari, 2/76; al Kamil, 2/357.
[27] See Usd al Ghabah, 2/213; al Isti’ab, 1/567; al Isabah, 1/557, biography: 2752.
[28] The same two sources and locations (al Isti’ab and al Isabah).