The History of the ‘Arab and their tribes

The author is the Mamluk scholar, Abul ‘Abbaas Ahmad bin ‘Ali bin Ahmad Al-Fazaari Al-Qalqashandi (d.821H). His book is Subh Al-A’shaa Fi Sinaa’ah al Inshaa (1/366- 414). It was first published in 1910 CE in 14 volumes.

Note: This is not a complete translation as I did this during downtime at work some years ago. I added: “[..]” wherever I skipped large sections or other details.

The Text:

Know that the ‘Arab are of two (general) categories: 1) Al ‘Arab al Baai’dah: they are the ones that have departed, their history is recorded (as passed), and their narratives are cut off except for a few. Their famous tribes are:

‘Aad Al-Oula (the first): They are the children of ‘Aad bin ‘Aws bin Iram bin Sam bin Nuh عليه السلام and their dwelling was in Al-Ahqaaf between Yemen and ‘Oman, and from Bahrain to Hadhramawt and Shihr. They are the ones whom Allaah sent Hud عليه السلام and they did not believe in him so He destroyed them with a wind as is narrated in the Qur’an.
Thamud: They are the children of Thamud bin Jaathir [it’s also said Kaathir with a Kaaf instead of Jeem] ibn Iram bin Sam bin Nuh. Their dwelling was Al-Hijr and Wadi Al-Qura between Hijaaz and Shaam. They used to make their homes out of the mountains with large structures. Allaah sent Saalih عليه السلام to them and they did not believe in him so He destroyed them with a loud shout from the sky as is narrated in the Qur’an.
Al-’Amaaliqah: They are the children of ‘Imleeq [and it’s said ‘Imlaaq] bin Lawidh bin Iram bin Sam bin Nuh. They were a great (expansive) nation that are cited as having immense bodies and being tall. At-Tabari said: They spread into smaller nations in different regions. Those among them were the people of ‘Oman, Bahrain, Hijaaz, the kings of ‘Iraq and the peninsula, the Jabaabirah of Shaam and the Pharoahs of Egypt.
Thasm: They are the children of Thasm. Ibn al-Kalbi said: They are the children of Thasm bin Lawidh bin Iram bin Sam bin Nuh. Al-Jawhari mentioned that they are from ‘Aad and their dwelling was in Al-Ahqaaf in Yemen. It’s mentioned in Al-’Ibar that their residence was in Al-Yamaamah and their destruction was due to war with their brothers Jedees.
Jedees: They are the children of Jedees bin Iram bin Sam bin Nuh. At-Tabari said: Jedees bin Lawidh bin Iram bin Sam bin Nuh عليه السلام. Their dwelling was beside Thasm, previously mentioned, and their destruction was due to war with those previously mentioned.
‘Abd Dhakhm: They are the children of ‘Abd Dhakhm bin Iram bin sam bin Nuh. It’s said in Al-’Ibar: They used to live in Taa’if and those among them were destroyed. It’s said that they were the first to write in Arabic.
Jurhum Al-Oula (the first): Ibn Sa’eed said: They are a tribe of the ‘Arab who lived in the time of ‘Aad and were destroyed.
Madyan: They are the children of Madyan bin Ibraaheem عليه السلام. They were a large tribe and people. Their dwelling was in the homes of ‘Aad and in the land of Ma’aadh in the edges of Shaam next to Hijaaz and close to the lands of the people of Lut. Allaah sent them Shua’yb and they did not believe in him.

2) The ‘Arab al Baaqiyah (remaining ‘Arab) whose remnants exist in different eras and in different places in the lands untils today and they are three types:

The ‘Arab Al-’Aaribah: Al-Jawhari said: They are also called the ‘Arab al ‘Urabaa and they are the children of Qahtan bin ‘Aabir bin Shaalikh bin Arfakhshadh bin Sam bin Nuh and they are the ‘Arab of Yemen. There are two famous groups from them:
1. Jurhum: They are the children of Jurhum bin Qahtan. They are not the same as the first Jurhum that has been previously mentioned among the ‘Arab al Baa’idah. Their dwelling was first in Yemen, then they migrated to Hijaaz, settled, and remained there until Ismaa’eel عليه السلام came with his father to Makkah and settled and populated Makkah and this will be mentioned in the discussion of the ‘Arab al Musta’ribah with the Will of Allaah.
2. Ya’rab: They are the children of Ya’rab bin Qahtan, who was mentioned previously. It’s said that the ‘Arab are known as ‘Arab because of him and he is origin of all the ‘Arab of Yemen who are from there and are descendants of him. Yashjab was born to him, and Saba’ was born to Yashjab and all of their tribes branch off from him. The two most famous tribes that return back to him are two:
  1. Himyar: They are from Himyar bin Saba’ and his name was Al-’Aznajaj. Ibn Al-Kalbi mentioned that Himyar had ten children and the most notable and outstanding of their tribes of Himyar was from his son: Al-Hamyasa’. He was the king of the kings of Yemen and his land was the most noble of Yemen and its surroundings. There are those today who are from Himyar, the most notable of them are the tribes of Qudhaa’ah and he was Qudhaa’ah bin Maalik bin ‘Amr bin Murrah bin Zayd bin Maalik bin Himyar and it’s said Qudhaa’ah bin Maalik bin Himyar. Some have stated that the lineage of Qudhaa’ah are from the ‘Adnaaniyyah who have been mentioned previously. As-Suhayli said: the correct view is that when the mother of Qudhaa’ah, and she was Jakrah, became widowed when Maalik bin Himyar died and she was pregnant, Ma’ad bin ‘Adnaan married her and then Qudhaa’ah was born on his bed, so he adopted him and was ascribed to him. Al-Mu’ayyid, the author of Hamaah, said: Qudhaa’ah was king of Shihr and his grave is in the mountain of Shihr and is present (to this day). There are those from Qudhaa’ah alive today who ascribed to them. Al-Qudhaa’ee al-Masri , the author of Ash-Shihaab fil Mawaa’idh wal Aadaab fil Hadeeth wa Hifdh Misr wa Ghayraha. The famously known subsets of Qudhaa’ah are seven:
    1. Baliyy: They are the children of Baliyy bin ‘Amr bin Al-Haafi Ibn Qudhaa’ah. Some remain in the lands of Egypt in upper Sa’eedah. From them are Banu Naab and others. Some remain in the lands of Hijaaz and others. Their ascription is Balawi with the addition of the Waaw with a Kasra before the Yaa an-Nasab.
    2. Juhaynah: They are the children of Juhaynah bin Zayd bin Layth bin Sood bin Aslam bin Al-Haafi bin Qudhaa’ah. They are a great tribe and some remain As-Sa’eed in the lands of Egypt and Hijaaz and others. Their ascription is Juhani removing the Yaa after the Haa.
    3. Kalb: They are the children of Kalb bin Wabrah bin Tha’labah bin Halwaan ibn ‘Imraan bin Al-Haafi bin Qudhaa’ah. From them was Haaritha al-Kalbi, Abu Zayd bin Haaritha, the servant of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. The author of Hamah wrote: In Jaahiliyyah, Banu Kalb settled in Dumat Al-Jandal, Tabuk, and the edges of Shaam. Ibn Sa’eed said: Currently, they have a great presence in the gulf of Constantinople. He said in Maalik al-Absaar: And Bashizar, Aleppo and its lands, Tadmur, and Al-Manaadhir all have people from them. Their ascription is Kalbi.
    4. ‘Udhrah: They are the children of ‘Udhrah bin Sa’eed bin Hudhaym bin Zayd bin Layth bin Sood bin Aslam bin Al-Haafi bin Qudhaa’ah. Al-Ushq and At-Tatayyum ascribe to ‘Udhrah. From them was ‘Urwah ibn Khuzaam, the companion of ‘Ufraa’, one of the Mutayyamin and Jameel the companion of Buthaynah. The best of what’s been narrated is that it was said to a man from them: Why do you think Al-’Ushq is fighting you, O Bani ‘Udhrah? He replied: It is because we have with us beauty and virtue. [..] Some of them remain in Daqhaliyyah, in Mutaraahiyah from the lands of Egypt, and some remain in Shaam as well.
    5. Bahraa’: They are the children of Bahraa’ bin ‘Amr bin Al-Haafi bin Qudhaa’ah. From them are a group of the Sahaabah رضوان الله عليهم. From them is Miqdaad bin Al-Aswad, one of the companions of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. It is said that Khaalid bin Barmak was from the family of Bahraa’. It is said in Al-’Ibar: Their dwelling was north of the dwellings of Baliyy in Yanbu’ until ‘Uqbah Aylah. A large group of them migrated to the Caspian sea and they spread in the lands between Habasha (Ethiopia & Eriteria) and Sa’eed in Egypt and they became numerous there. They conquered the lands of the Nubians and they in war with Habasha until now.
    6. Nahd: (They are Nahd) bin Zayd bin Layth bin Sood bin Aslam bin Al-Haafi bin Qudhaa’ah. Their dwelling was in Yemen. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم wrote a famous letter to them. There was a group of them in Shaam as well as Abu ‘Ubayd mentioned. The well-known from Nahd are As-Saq’ab. The author of Hamah said: They were leaders in Islaam.
    7. Jaram: They are the children of Jaram and his name was ‘Alaaf bin Zabbaan bin Halwaan bin ‘Imraan bin Al-Haafi bin Qudhaa’ah. Al-Hamadani said: From them are Banu Jashm, Banu Qudaamah, and Banu ‘Awf. It’s reported in Al-’Ibar: From them are a group of the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم. I say: and they are Al-Qaadhi Waliuddin bin Khaldoon. They considered that they are from those in the land of Gaza. It preceded that they are from Jaram Tayy and not Jaram Qudhaa’ah. The author of Hamah recounted in his Taarikh that Tanookh is from them. Al-Jawhari said not to make the Noon (in Tanookh) with a Shaddah. The correct view is what Abu ‘Ubayd said that they are three subgroups of the Qahtaaniyyah: Nizaar, Al-Ahlaaf. He said: They were known as that because they swore upon residing in a place in Shaam and established its place. Ibn Sa’eed said: Some of the people apply Tanookh on the Dhajaa’amah and Daws that were established in Bahrain. The author of Hamah said: There was war between them and the Lakhmiyyeen, the Kings of Al-Hiyrah. Some of Tanookh remained in Ma’rrah in the lands of Shaam according to what Al-Hamadani mentioned.
  2. Kahlan: They are the children of Kahlan bin Saba’. Abu ‘Ubayd said: All of their people came from Zayd bin Kahlan and they were concurrent kings alongside the Himyaris. A group of Kahlan remained in a large number under their rule. It’s said in Al-’Ibar: Himyar’s dominion decreased and the remaining rule of the Arab in the desert was left to the children of Kahlan and they are many subsets and the famous of them are ten:
    1. Al-Azd: Abu ‘Ubayd said: It’s also said with a س instead of ز (Al-Asd). Al-Jawhari said: With a ز is Afsah (closer to Fus-ha, eloquence). They are the children of Al-Azd bin Al-Ghawth bin Nabt bin Maalik bin Uddad bin Zayd bin Kahlaan. They are from the greatest subsets and the most numerous in subgroups. Al-Jawhari divided them into three groups:
      1. Azd Shanou’ah: They are the children of Nasr bin Al-Azd. Shanou’ah is the nickname of Nasr who overpowered his kids.
      2. Azd As-Sarraah: adding Azd to As-Sarrah, a place in the edges of Yemen, a group of them settled there and became known because of it.
      3. Azd ‘Oman: adding Azd to Oman. It is a city in Bahrain a group of them settled there and became known because of it. Al-Azd remained in the lands of Shaam in Zar’ and in Basra as it’s mentioned in Masaalik al-Absaar.

Al-Azd has many subgroups: from them is Ghassan. Abu ‘Ubayd said: They are the children of Juffnah and Al-Haarith and he’s Muharriq, and Tha’labah and he was Al-’Anqaa, and Haarithah, Maalik, Ka’b, Khaarijah, ‘Awf ibn ‘Amr bin ‘Aamir Maa’ as-Sama’ bin Haaritha Al-Ghatreef bin Imru’al Qays Al-Bitreeq – and it’s said Al-Bahlool- bin Tha’labah bin Maazin bin Al-Azd. They are known as Ghassan because of water that descended upon them known as Ghassan and so they drank from it and became known by it. It’s said in Al-’Ibar: They are close to the land of Yemen. Abu ‘Ubayd said: Some of the Ansaar said about that: “Since you asked, for we are a great people *** Al-Azad is our ascription and the water of Ghassan” A part of Ghassan were those kings of the ‘Arab in Shaam after Saleeh, mentioned previously, until the last of them who was Jablah bin Al-Ayham who accepted Islam in the time of ‘Umar and then apostated and stayed in the lands of the disbelievers. It’s mentioned in Maalik al Absaar that there are some of them in Shaam in Balqaa, Yarmouk, and Homs. From them are Al-Aws wal Khazraj, the children of Haaritha bin Tha’labah bin ‘Amr Muzayqa bin ‘Aamir Maa’ as-Samaa’ bin Haaritha Al Ghatreef bin Imru’il Qays Al-Bitreeq ibn Tha’labah bin Maazin bin Al-Azd. Their residence was in Yathrib and the Ansaar of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم were from them. There are many of them remaining in the East and West. Al-Hamadani mentioned: There’s a group of them in Manfalooth in Sa’eed in Egypt from Hassaan bin Thaabit and Sa’ad bin Mu’aadh the leader of Al-Aws رضي الله عنهما.(2) Tayy’: It’s taken from At-Taa’a from the form of At-Taa’ah. They are the children of Tayy’ bin Uddad bin Zayd bin Yashjub bin ‘urayb bin Zayd bin Kahlaan. Their ascription is Taa’i. Haatim at-Taa’i is ascribed to them famously known for benevolence. Likewise, Abu Tammam at-Taa’i, the famous poet. And there are many of them. It’s said in Al-’Ibar: their dwelling was in Yemen and they left it when they were split because of the breaking of the Dam. So they settled Najd and Hijaaz close to Bani Asad. Then Bani Asad conquered the two mountains Aja’a and Salma from the lands of Najd so they settled there and it became known as the mountain of Tayy’ until now. Then they separated in the early part of Islaam in the start of the conquests in various lands. There are many groups among them, from them:

Thu’al- [..]
Jadilyah, [..]
Nabhaan- [..]
Bawlan- [..] From them are three people whom it is said that they placed the Arabic script, which will be mentioned when discussing the (Arabic) script.
Hanaa’- [..]
Sudoos- [..]
Salamaan- [..]
Buhtur – [..]
Zubayd- [..]
Sunbus – [..]
Jarm- [..]
Tha’labah: [..]
Ghaziyyah- [..][..]
Laam- [..]
Aal Rabee’ah: the Arab of Shaam, [..]

(3) Madh-hij: The children of Madh-hij, and his name was Maalik, bin Uddad bin Zayd bin Yashjab bin ‘Areeb bin Zayd bin Kahlaan. This is what Abu ‘Ubayd said. Al-Jawhari said: Madh-hij bin Yahaaber bin Maalik bin Zayd bin Kahlaan. Al-Hamadani mentioned: They were called Madh-hij because of a tree that they differed upon named Madh-hij, so they took on this name. There are many tribes of Madh-hij:

Khawlaan- [..]
Janab – [..]
An-Nakha’- [..]
‘Ans- [..]
Banu Haarith- [..]

(4) Hamdaan: They are the children from Hamdaan bin Maalik bin Zayd bin Awsalah bin Rabee’ah bin Al-Khayyaar bin Zayd bin Kahlaan. It’s said in Al-’Ibar: their dwelling was in the east of Yemen. When Islaam came, they separated, some remained in Yemen and others left. He said: Hamdaan were the people (Shee’ah) of the Ameeral-Mu’mineen ‘Ali كرم الله وجهه when there was the fitnah between the Sahaabah. He رضي الله عنه said of them: If I was a door of the doors of Jannah*** I’d say to Hamdaan, enter in peace. It’s mentioned in Masaalik al-Absaar: in the mountain in Shaam famously known as Tayyibeen, there is a group from Hamdaan. (5) Kindah- They are the children of Kindah, his name was Thawr, bin ‘Ufayr bin ‘Adiy bin Al-Haarith bin Murrah bin Uddad bin Yashjab bin ‘Areeb bin Zayd bin Kahlaan. The author of Hamah said: He was known as Kindah because he refused his father, meaning he rejected his grace. He said: Their lands are in Yemen close to Hadhramaut. They had a king in Hijaaz and Yemen. Al-Ash’ath bin Qays, the famous Sahaabi, was from them. Likewise, Al-Qaadhi Shurayh, the judge appointed by ‘Ali رضي الله عنه was from them. It’s mentioned in Masaalik Al-Absaar that in Al-Luway in the lands of Shaam are a people that ascribe to Kindah. There are subsets of them:

As-Sukun – [..]
As-Sakaasik – [..]

(6) Muraad- They are the children of Muraad bin Maalik bin Uddad bin Zayd bin Yashjab bin ‘Areeb bin Zayd bin Kahlaan. Al-Jawhari said: it is said that his name was Yahaaber and he had rebelled so he became known as Murad. In Al-’Ibar they are considered a tribe from Midh-haj, so it’s said Murah bin Midh-haj. They author of Hamah said: Their lands are in the direction of Zabeed from the lands of Yemen. He said: To Murad ascribe all the Muraadi from the ‘Arab of Yemen. (7) Anmaar- They are the children of Anmaar bin Araash bin Al-Ghawth bin Nabt bin Maalik bin Zayd bin Kahlan. They have two subgroups: (a) Bajeelah- They are Banu ‘Aqbar, Al-Ghawth, Suhaybah, and Khuzaymah bin Anmaar bin Araash [..], and (b) Kath’am – They are the children of Kath’am bin Anmaar bin Araash bin Hind bin Maalik bin Al-Ghaffaaq bin Ash-Shaahim bin ‘Ad. [..](8) Judhaam- They are the children of Judhaam bin ‘Adiy bin Al-Haarith bin Murrah bin Uddad bin Zayd bin Yashjub bin ‘Areeb bin Zayd bin Kahlan. This is what Abu ‘Ubayd mentioned. The author of Hama considered them in his Taarikh from the children of ‘Amr bin Saba’. [..](9) Lakhm- They are the children of Lakhm bin ‘Adiyy bin Al-Haarith bin Murrah bin Uddad bin Zayd bin Yashjub bin ‘Areeb bin Zayd bin Kahlaan. Lakhm is the brother of Judhaam, previously mentioned and both of them are uncles to Kindah, mentioned earlier as well. The author of Hamah considered Lakhm from the children of ‘Amr bin Saba’ just as Judhaam. A group of Lakhm had dominion over Al-Hirah in the lands of ‘Iraq. From Bani ‘Ubbaad from those who remained in Andalus had dominion over Ishbiliyah. Al-Qudha’i mentioned that they participated in the conquest of Egypt and mixed in the region. Some from them mixed with Judhaam. Al-Hamadani said: in Sa’eed in Egypt, there are some from them who live in the East. Al-Hamadani mentioned 7 tribes from them: [..].(10) Al-Ash’ariyyoon- They are the children of Al-Ash’ar bin Uddad bin Zayd bin Yashjub bin ‘Areeb bin Zayd bin Kahlaan. It’s said: He was known as Al-Ash’ar because his mother bore him and he was hairy. The author of Hamah considered them Bani Ash’ar bin Saba’. They are the tribe of Abi Moosa Al-Ash’ari, the companion of the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم. (11) ‘Aamilah- They are the children of ‘Aamilah, and his name was Al-Haarith, bin ‘Ufayr bin ‘Adiyy bin Al-Haarith bin Wabrah bin Uddad bin Zayd bin Yashjub bin ‘Areeb bin Zayd bin Kahlaan. Abu ‘Ubayd mentioned that they are Banu Al-Haarith bin Maalik, meaning Ibn Al-Haarith bin Murrah bin Uddad and he was under ‘Aamilah bint Maalik bin Wadee’ah bin ‘Ufayr bin ‘Adiyy bin Al-Haarith bin Murrah bin Uddad. The author of Hamah mentioned that they are from the children of ‘Aamilah bin Saba’. Al-Hamadaani mentioned that there is a group of them in the ‘Aamilah mountain in Shaam. B) The ‘Arab al Musta’ribbah: Al-Jawhari said: they are known as the Muta’rribah as well. They are the children of Ismaa’eel bin Ibraaheem. They are referred to as that because the language of Ismaa’eel عليه السلام was Hebraic or Syriac. When Jurhum from the Qahtaaniyyah settled with him and his mother in blessed Makkah, he had married from among them and him and his sons learned Arabic from Jurhum and that is why they were named Musta’ribah. Know that those present among the Arab from the children of Ismaa’eel عليه السلام are from the children of ‘Adnaan bin Udad, previously mentioned. It’s said in Al-’Ibar that those other than ‘Adnaan from the children of Ismaa’eel no longer remain and that is why these ‘Arab are known as the ‘Adnaaniyyah. The ‘Adnaani ‘Arab are two types: (1) those before the Quraysh:

Nizaar bin Ma’ad bin ‘Adnaan: There are three tribes from them: (1) Iyyaad [..], (2) Anmaar [..], and (3) Rabee’ah [..]
Mudhar: [..]
Ilyaas: [..] There are two groups of them: (1) Taabikhah [..], (2) Qam’ah [..]
Mudrikah: [..]
Khuzaymah: [..]
Kinaanah: [..] There are 5 tribes: (1) Malkaan [..], (2) ‘Abd Manat [..], (3) ‘Amr bin Kinaanah [..], (4) ‘Aamir bin Kinaanah [..], (5) Maalik bin Kinaanah [..]

(2) Quraysh [..]C) The Berber: [..]” [The author discusses the differences of opinion on this issue in a very lengthy – but interesting – passage].