Banu l-Mustaliq

Banū l-Muṣṭaliq (Arabic: بنو المُصْطَلِق) were a sub-clan of Khuza'a tribe. The lineage of this tribe goes back to Jadhima b. Sa'd b. 'Amr b. Rabi'a. Ibn Durayd believed that Jadhima was called al-Mustaliq as his voice was loud and beautiful.

The tribe of Khuza'a was living near waters of Muraysi' in Qudayd region. Because they were allies with Banu Harith and Hawn, they were known as Ahabish.

After the emergence of Islam, Banu l-Mustaliq refused to accept Islam, because they had close relations with Quraysh and they wanted to protect their business interests. Prophet Muhammad (s) also showed tolerance to them because of his respect to Khuza'a. However when they planned to attack Muslims in the 5th/11th or 6th/12th. which led to the Battle of Banu l-Mustaliq or the Battle of Muraysi'.

The Battle of Banu l-Mustaliq

Main article: Battle of Banu l-Mustaliq

In 5/626-7 or 6 A.H/627-8. the chief of Banu l-Mustaliq, Harith b. Abi Dirar, was trying to unite Arab tribes to attack Muslims. When Prophet Muhammad (s) was certain of their intention, he ordered to prepare the Muslims' army and attack Muraysi' region. Banu l-Mustaliq were defeated and their chief along with a number of their tribe members were killed, their women and children were taken captive and their household properties were looted.

Grand Figures

Some of Banu l-Mustaliq members' names were mentioned in rijal or historical narrations. They had been companions of Prophet Muhammad (s), they had appeared in important historical events or they had narrated hadiths, including:

• Juwayriyya bt. al-Harith: She was one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad (s) and one of the Umm al-Mu'minin (Mother of the faithful). Juwayriyya was the daughter of Harith, the chief of Banu l-Mustaliq, who was held captive in the Battle of Banu l-Mustaliq. She was freed before marrying Prophet Muhammad (s).

• Al-Harith b. Abi Dirar al-Khuza'i al-Mustaliqi: He was the father of Juwayriyya and a grand figure of Banu l-Mustaliq tribe.

• Suwayd b. 'Amir al-Mustaliqi: He was a poet who was living before the emergence of Islam; there is narration from Prophet Muhammad (s) that said, if Suwayd was living in the time of Islam, he would have converted to Islam.

• 'Amr b. al-Harith b. Abi Dirar al-Mustaliqi: He was the brother of Juwayriyya.

• 'Abd Allah b. al-Harith b. Abi Dirar: He was also the brother of Juwayriyya.

• 'Umra bt. al-Harith b. Abi Dirar: She was the sister of Juwayriyya.

• Jamila bt. 'Abd al-'Uzza' b. Qutn: She was the wife of 'Abd al-Rahman b. al-'Awam, the brother of al-Zubayr b. al-'Awam.

• Kulthum b. 'Alqama b. Najiya al-Khuza'i al-Mustaliqi

• Muslim b. al-Harith al-Khuza'i al-Mustaliqi: He was one of the companions of Prophet Muhammad (s).

• 'Alqama b. Najiya b. al-Harith b. Kulthum al-Khuza'i al-Mustaliqi: He has narrated hadiths from Prophet Muhammad (s).