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Fayruz al-Daylami
Personal Information
Full NameFayruz al-Daylami
TeknonymAbu 'Abd Allah • Abu 'Abd al-Rahman
Well Known AsKilling Al-Aswad al-'Ansi
LineageIranian
Place(s) of ResidenceYemen
Death23-35/644-56 or 53/672-73
Religious Information
Conversion to Islam6/627-28, 7/628-29, or 10/631-32
Known forKilling Al-Aswad al-'Ansi


Fayrūz al-Daylamī (Arabic: فيروز الديلمي) was an Iranian companion of the Prophet (s) who, acting on the orders of Prophet Muhammad (s), suppressed the rebellion of al-Aswad al-'Ansi, a claimant to prophethood, by assassinating him. In recognition of this deed, the Prophet Muhammad (s) referred to Fayruz as a "blessed man from a blessed household" and a "righteous servant."

Fayruz al-Daylami is counted among the Abna'. The Abna were a community of Iranians who expelled the Abyssinians from Yemen during the Sassanid era and governed the region until the advent of Islam. While some sources posit that Fayruz converted to Islam in 10/631-32 through the Prophet's (s) envoy to Yemen, others suggest his conversion coincided with that of Badhan in 6/627-28 or 7/628-29.

Historical accounts indicate that Fayruz al-Daylami assumed leadership of the Abna after the commander appointed by the Prophet (s) was killed in the conflict with Al-Aswad al-'Ansi. Sources also report his continued leadership following the Demise of the Prophet (s). Fayruz's death is variously dated to the caliphate of 'Uthman or the reign of Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan.

Status and Background

Fayruz al-Daylami was a prominent companion of the Prophet (s) of Iranian origin[1] who, under the command of Prophet Muhammad (s),[2] quelled the insurrection of the false prophet Al-Aswad al-'Ansi by killing him.[3] According to historical sources, the Prophet (s) was informed of Al-Aswad's death at the hands of Fayruz through revelation.[4] Consequently, the Prophet (s) praised Fayruz al-Daylami as a "blessed man from a blessed family"[5] and a "righteous servant."[6] It is reported that the Prophet (s) bestowed upon him the kunya Abu 'Abd Allah.[7] Fayruz al-Daylami is also regarded as a narrator of hadith; his transmissions have been recorded through his sons—Sa'id, Dahhak, and 'Abd Allah—among others.[8]

Fayruz belongs to the group known as the Abna' al-Ahrar ("Sons of the Free").[9] Historically, Arabs referred to Iranians as "free men" (Ahrar) or "sons of the free" (Abna' al-Ahrar).[10] The Abna of Yemen were descendants of the Persians who expelled the Abyssinians from Yemen during the reign of the Sassanid King Khosrow Anushirvan (r. 531–579 AD) and ruled the region until the rise of Islam.[11] Reports indicate that they embraced Islam following the invitation extended by the Prophet (s).[12]

A saying attributed to the Prophet (s) regarding Fayruz al-Daylami:
God has killed the liar Al-Aswad al-'Ansi. He slew him by the hand of one of your Muslim brothers; a brother from a people who have embraced Islam and affirmed the Prophet (s) of God.[13]

From Conversion to Islam to Death

Al-Tabari attributes Fayruz al-Daylami's conversion to Islam to the efforts of Wabr b. Yuhannis al-Azdi, one of the envoys sent by the Prophet (s) to invite the Abna to Islam.[14] He dates this event to 10/631-32.[15] Other sources suggest that Fayruz converted after hearing of the Prophet's (s) mission and traveling to meet him.[16] This is thought to have coincided with the conversion of Badhan in the sixth or seventh year of the Hijra.[17]

Al-Mas'udi identifies Fayruz al-Daylami as one of the envoys sent by Badhan to Medina to deliver a message from the Sassanid King Khosrow Parviz, who had ordered that the Prophet (s) be brought to the Sassanid capital in response to his letter inviting the king to Islam.[18] However, some scholars question this account, proposing instead that Fayruz was sent by Badhan to Medina to formally announce the conversion of the Abna to Islam[19]—an event that occurred after the Prophet (s) revealed his knowledge of Khosrow's assassination by his son, Shiruyah.[20]

It is reported that Fayruz al-Daylami assumed leadership of the Abna in Yemen following the death of Shahr b. Badhan in the conflict with Al-Aswad al-'Ansi.[21] Historical records mention his continued leadership after the Demise of the Prophet (s), spanning the caliphates of Abu Bakr[22] and Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan.[23] According to sources, Mu'awiya eventually removed Fayruz from the governorship of Sana'a, appointing a successor in his stead.[24] His death is recorded either during the caliphate of 'Uthman[25] or during the reign of Mu'awiya[26] (53/672-73).

Killing Al-Aswad al-'Ansi

Historical sources identify Fayruz al-Daylami as the slayer of Al-Aswad al-'Ansi.[27] Reports state that as Al-Aswad al-'Ansi's movement gained momentum in Yemen, fueled by his claims of prophethood and rebellion, various tribes committed apostasy. While some concealed their Islam and entered Al-Aswad's service, Fayruz was appointed to the leadership of the Abna'.[28] In a subsequent battle, Al-Aswad killed Shahr b. Badhan, the Prophet's (s) governor, and forcibly married his widow, who was Fayruz's cousin.[29] Upon learning of these developments, the Prophet Muhammad (s) wrote to three prominent members of the Abna—Fayruz al-Daylami, Qays b. Makshuh, and Dhadhawayh—ordering them to confront Al-Aswad.[30] Acting on the Prophet's (s) command, Fayruz and his companions devised a plot to assassinate Al-Aswad with the cooperation of Al-Aswad's wife.[31] They decided to excavate a passage into Al-Aswad's chambers to execute the plan at an opportune moment.[32] One night, Fayruz stealthily entered Al-Aswad's bedside and engaged him in a struggle,[33] ultimately succeeding in killing and beheading him.[34]

Notes

  1. ↑ Ibn al-Athīr, Usd al-ghāba, 1409 AH, vol. 4, p. 71.
  2. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 3, p. 231.
  3. ↑ Ibn Qutayba al-Dīnawarī, al-Maʿārif, 1992, p. 335.
  4. ↑ Ibn al-Athīr, Usd al-ghāba, 1409 AH, vol. 4, p. 71.
  5. ↑ Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr al-Andalusī, al-Istīʿāb, 1412 AH, vol. 3, p. 1266.
  6. ↑ Ibn al-Athīr, Usd al-ghāba, 1409 AH, vol. 4, p. 71.
  7. ↑ Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr al-Andalusī, al-Istīʿāb, 1412 AH, vol. 3, p. 1266.
  8. ↑ Mizzī, Tahdhīb al-kamāl, 1400 AH, vol. 23, p. 323.
  9. ↑ Ibn Qutayba al-Dīnawarī, al-Maʿārif, 1992, p. 335.
  10. ↑ Dilbarī, "Īrāniyān-i āzādeh dar Yaman (Abnāʾ al-aḥrār)", p. 54.
  11. ↑ Ibn Saʿd, Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā, Dār Ṣādir, vol. 5, p. 533; Nöldeke, Tārīkh-i Īrāniyān wa ʿArab-hā dar zamān-i Sāsāniyān, 1378 Sh, p. 247.
  12. ↑ Sajjādī, "Bādhān", p. 76.
  13. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 2, p. 239.
  14. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 3, p. 158.
  15. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 3, p. 158.
  16. ↑ Ibn Saʿd, Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā, Dār Ṣādir, vol. 5, p. 533.
  17. ↑ Sajjādī, "Bādhān", pp. 76-77.
  18. ↑ Masʿūdī, al-Tanbīh wa l-ishrāf, Cairo, p. 225.
  19. ↑ For example, see: Shujāʿ, al-Yaman fī ṣadr al-Islām, 1440 AH, p. 122.
  20. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 2, p. 656.
  21. ↑ Muṭahharī, Khadamāt-i mutaqābil-i Islām wa Īrān, 1382 Sh, p. 85.
  22. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 3, p. 323.
  23. ↑ Yaʿqūbī, Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī, Beirut, vol. 2, p. 234; Ibn al-Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh, 1385 AH, vol. 3, p. 496.
  24. ↑ Ibn al-Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh, 1385 AH, vol. 3, p. 496.
  25. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 11, p. 547.
  26. ↑ Ibn al-Athīr, al-Kāmil fī l-tārīkh, 1385 AH, vol. 3, p. 496.
  27. ↑ Ibn Qutayba al-Dīnawarī, al-Maʿārif, 1992, p. 335; Ibn al-Athīr, Usd al-ghāba, 1409 AH, vol. 4, p. 71.
  28. ↑ Dhahabī, Tārīkh al-Islām, 1409 AH, vol. 3, pp. 15-16.
  29. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 3, pp. 229-230.
  30. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 3, pp. 229-230.
  31. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 3, p. 232.
  32. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 3, p. 238.
  33. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 3, pp. 238-239.
  34. ↑ Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī, Beirut, vol. 3, p. 239.

References

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  • Dilbarī, Shahrbānū, "Īrāniyān-i āzādeh dar Yaman (Abnāʾ al-aḥrār)", in *Faṣlnāme-ye takhaṣṣuṣī-ye fiqh wa tārīkh-i tamaddun*, no. 24, Summer 1389 Sh.
  • Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr al-Andalusī, Yūsuf b. ʿAbd Allāh, al-Istīʿāb fī maʿrifat al-aṣḥāb, edited by ʿAlī Muḥammad al-Bijāwī, Beirut, Dār al-Jīl, 1412 AH/1992.
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  • Masʿūdī, ʿAlī b. al-Ḥusayn, al-Tanbīh wa l-ishrāf, edited by ʿAbd Allāh Ismāʿīl al-Ṣāwī, Cairo, Dār al-Ṣāwī, n.d.
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  • Muṭahharī, Murtaḍā, Khadamāt-i mutaqābil-i Islām wa Īrān, Tehran, Intishārāt-i Ṣadrā, 1382 Sh.
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  • Sajjādī, Ṣādiq, "Bādhān", in *Dāyirat al-maʿārif-i buzurg-i Islāmī*, vol. 11, Tehran, Markaz-i Dāyirat al-maʿārif-i buzurg-i Islāmī, 1381 Sh.
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