The History of Arab Nations
The historian categorises Arab nations into three distinct types:
1. Arab Baida
2. Arab Aariba
3. Arab Musta’riba
Arab Baida:
These are the nations whose names and marks have vanished into the annals of history. Among them, we find the ancient peoples of ‘Aad and Thamud, as well as the towering figures of ‘Aad and Thamud. The Quran narrates that when these nations flagrantly transgressed the boundaries of obedience and rebellion against the divine, they faced a devastating retribution that led to their complete obliteration.
In addition to ‘Aad and Thamud, there were other notable civilizations, such as ‘Amaleeqa, Tasm, Jaddis, and Umaym. These civilizations, unlike the aforementioned, have left no discernible traces of their disappearance, yet they exerted their influence over non-Arab lands like Egypt, the Levant, and Iraq. The enigmatic question remains: how did they vanish from the historical record, leaving no clear indication of their ultimate fate.
Arab Aariba:
These tribes are descendants of Ya’rub ibn Yashjub ibn Qahtani and are known as the Qahtani Arabs. They came to settle in the Arabian Peninsula following the collapse of ancient Arabian civilizations, such as ‘Aad, Thamud, and others.
The Qahtani Arabs, originally from Yemen, are renowned for their historical migrations from that region. Among the Bani Ya’rab, Abd al-Shams, who is famously known as Sabai, is regarded as the progenitor of all Yemeni tribes. Sabai’s people were blessed by their Lord in their homeland, as they had two flourishing orchards—one to the right and one to the left. Their Lord provided them with clear instructions to partake of the provisions generously bestowed upon them and to express gratitude for living in a land of abundance, as their Lord is ever-forgiving.
Despite these abundant blessings, the people of Sabai turned away from their Lord. In response to their ingratitude, a devastating flood was unleashed upon them. The once lush orchards were replaced with two new ones, but they bore bitter fruit, fruitless bushes, and only a few thorny trees. This transformation of their orchards and surroundings served as a consequence for their lack of gratitude, as highlighted in the Quran.
This passage underscores the idea that ungratefulness carries consequences and underscores the importance of recognizing and appreciating the blessings bestowed by the Divine. One significant reason for their migration was the flooding of certain areas in Yemen, as mentioned in the Quran. Additionally, the growth of their tribes and communities played a pivotal role. As their population expanded, they sought new areas for settlement to accommodate their increasing numbers. This led them to leave Yemen and establish new communities across the Arabian Peninsula, including in the border regions of Sham (Greater Syria), Iran, and neighbouring territories.
In Yemen, the Qahtani tribes have thrived and diversified over time, resulting in the emergence of various branches and divisions within their extended family. Of particular note, two tribes from these divisions have risen to prominence.
(A) Hamir: This tribe has notable branches, including Zaid al-Jamhur, Qaza’ah, and Saja Suk.
(B) Kahlān: Renowned branches of this tribe include Hamdan, Anmar, Tayy, Mudhij, Kunda, Lakhm, Judham, Azd, Aws, Khazraj, and the descendants of Jafah. These branches later established rule in the region of Sham (Syria) and became famous under the name Al-Ghassan.
The Kahlani tribes left their native Yemen and dispersed across various regions of the Arabian Peninsula, while the Hamiri tribes chose to remain in their original homeland.
The Kahlani tribes that departed Yemen can be categorised into four groups:
Azd: They initially migrated within Yemen, sending exploratory expeditions to assess conditions before eventually heading north. They settled in different regions, giving rise to significant branches.
Tha’labah bin Amr: Initially, they moved toward the Hejaz region, where he established settlements in Tha’labiyyah and Dhi Wqar. As his descendants multiplied and his clan grew stronger, they migrated to Mdina, making it their permanent home. Two major tribes, Os and Khazraj, emerged from Tha’labah’s lineage, and they played vital roles in the history of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Madina. Os and Khazraj were notable for their involvement in various Islamic events, including early battles and their support for and acceptance of Islam. Their rivalries and eventual reconciliation in Medina are pivotal aspects of Islamic history.
Harithah bin Amr: His descendants, known as Khaz’ah, initially led a nomadic life in Marra al-Zahran in the Hejaz region. Later, they sanctified the Haram and expelled the Banu Jurhum from Makkah, making it their permanent residence.
Imran bin Amr: He and his descendants settled in Oman, earning the title ‘Azd Oman.’
Nasr bin Azd: Tribes linked to him settled in Tha’ama.
Jafnah bin Amr: They migrated towards the Sham region and established it as his permanent residence. He is the forefather of the Ghassanid kings, with ‘Al-Ghassan’ derived from the spring they initially camped at in the Hejaz region before moving to the Sham region.
Lakhm and Judham: These tribes initially camped in Bahrain (located in present-day eastern Saudi Arabia, near Al-Ahsa) but were later compelled to leave and resettled in the Najd region. They founded a notable government, but its legacy did not endure and gradually faded away. Lakhm and Judham are the tribes to which Nasr bin Rabi’ah belonged, the progenitor of the royal family of the Lakhmid dynasty that ruled the kingdom of Al-Hirah.
Tayy: Following their departure from Yemen, this tribe moved north and established permanent settlements near the Aja and Salma mountain ranges, known as the Tayyi Mountains.
Kindah: These people initially resided in Bahrain but were subsequently driven to the Najd region, where they established a significant kingdom. However, this kingdom did not endure, and its impact soon dissipated.
Apart from the Kahlani tribes, one tribe within Hamir, namely the Qaza’ah, has remained distinct and retained its original location. This tribe eventually relocated to Iraq after leaving Yemen.
Arab Musta’riba:
These inhabitants of Hejaz, Najd, and other regions, are lineage back to Prophet Ismail (alaihis salam). Within this group, various prominent tribes exist, with Rabiah and Mudar being particularly renowned. Notably, Rabiah is an offshoot of the Quraish, a lineage directly linked to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). These Arab Musta’riba are also commonly referred to as the Banu Adnan.
It is essential to acknowledge that during the time of Prophet Ismail (A.S.) journey with his mother Hagar to the desolate valley of Mecca, the region lacked any inhabitants, and the Kaaba had not yet been erected. The Kaaba, originally constructed by Prophet Adam (alaihis salam), had eroded with time. Subsequently, Prophet Ismail (A.S.) and Prophet Abraham(A.S) brought him and his mother to Mecca. Father and son, guided by divine inspiration and with the assistance of the angel Gabriel, worked together to rebuild the Kaaba upon the foundations initially laid by Prophet Adam (peace be upon him).
