Banu Abs

Banu Abs (Template:Lang-ar)
Ghatafan, Qais, Adnanite
Nisba	al-Absi; Al-Absi; al-Absy; Al-Absy; Absi; Absy; Absey; Abzi
Location	Saudi Arabia, Oman, Sudan, Kuwait, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt, Arab world, Malaysia, Europe, United States, Canada, Brazil
Descended from	Abs ibn Bughaydh ibn Raith ibn Ghatafan; Ghatafan Tribes
Population	est. 2,000,000
Branches	Banu Rasheed, Banu Rawaha, certain branches of the Mahas Peoples
Religion	Sunni Islam (Primarily), Christianity (Minority)

The Banu Abs (Template:Lang-ar, lit. "sons of ʿAbs") are an ancient Bedouin tribe from central Arabia. They form a branch of the powerful and numerous Ghatafan tribes. They still inhabit the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa but have spread to many other regions of the world, as well. Their descendants today include the large Bani Rasheed tribe located in Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Eritrea, and Jordan, and the Banu Rawaha located mostly in Oman and the UAE. Parts of the Mahas tribe of the Butana region in Sudan is also linked by blood to the Banu Abs due to intermarriage between the Sudanese Rashaida tribe and the Mahas peoples. Of the earliest stories concerning this tribe was the famous classical love and war story of Antar and Abla.

Genealogy

The Banu Abs are of the Northern Arabized Arabs, meaning they descend from Adnan. The Banu Abs line of patrilineal descent, from Abs all the way back to Adnan, is as follows: Abs ibn Bughaydh ibn Raith ibn Ghatafan ibn Sa'd ibn Qais ibn Ailan ibn Mudar ibn Nizar ibn Ma'ad ibn Adnan. They are related to numerous other Arabian tribes, being distant cousins of the powerful Quraysh, the Banu Tamim, and the Banu Kinanah. The Banu Thibyaan and the Mutayr are also descendents of the Ghatafan tribe, and are thus cousins of the Banu Abs. The Banu Abs are distant cousins to Muhammad, the final prophet of Islam, due to his direct descent from Adnan. The large and prestigious Banu Rasheed tribe is directly descended from the Banu Abs.

Because Adnan was a direct descendant of Ishmael, the Banu Abs can trace their lineage directly to Abraham, and all the way back to Adam, himself.

History

The Banu Abs originated almost 2,000 years ago, branching from the Ghatafan clan, and inhabiting the outskirts of Medinah in modern Hejaz, an area called today Hurrat Bani Rasheed.

The tribe is known for its independence and bravery, as it had been called one of the Jamarat of the Arabs, or the most powerful tribes that took no allegiance to anyone but themselves. The earliest stories regard tales of war and chivalry before Islam, in the famous war of Al-Dahhas wil Ghabraa, between them and their cousins Banu Thibyaan, which had lasted almost 40 years. The war had ended when the King Zuhayr of the Banu Abs had called for an end to the bloodshed, asking the wealthy merchants of both tribes to pay the losses caused by the war. Their traditions further recall 3000 of them repelling a Sasanian attack of 20000.

Absi traditions tell of their prophet Khalid bin Sinan (b. Ghayth b. Murayta b. Makhzum b. Malik b. Ghalib b. Qutaya b. 'Abs) who taught them Biblical monotheism, and the worship of God as "al-ahad al-samad", prior to Muhammad. It was told that Khalid saved his tribe (accounts differ on how) and that most men of the Abs rejected this prophet at the time.

During the Arab conquests some Absis remembered their prophet Khalid again; others, like Ubayy b. 'Amara b. Malik, accepted Muhammad as Prophet and are now ranked as Companions. Some Absis settled at Manbij in Syria, others at the Nile. In north Africa one Ka'b a close relative of Khalid (some say the son of his daughter) adopted some Berbers as clients, and spread the word of Khalid amongst them alongside that of Muhammad.

As Muslims the Abs (and some Berbers) insisted on their veneration for Khalid; some have claimed that Khalid prophesied the last prophet after him, who in Islam is Muhammad. Another tradition has it that King Zuhayr had predicted Muhammad, but Zuhayr is not called prophet for that.

On Khalid's status, the Muslims have historically been divided. Other Arab tribes had either suffered false prophets, as the Asad suffered Tulayha; or, like the 'Ad and the Thamud, they received the preachings of their Prophets, disbelieved, and were destroyed (although some living tribes have claimed a rebirth from those dead tribes' surviving prophets, as Yemenis claim of Hud). Also if the bedouin Khalid were accepted as a prophet between Jesus and Muhammad this is constrained by Q. 12:109, which insists that Apostles must come from the towns.

Antarah ibn Shaddad al-Absi

Main article: Antarah ibn Shaddad

Antarah ibn Shaddad al-Absi (c. 525-615) was one of the seven great pre-Islamic Arab poets and the architect behind the great story Antar and Abla. Throughout this non-fiction story, he displayed chivalry, bravery, and eloquence in the Arabic language. This earned him the name among all of the Arabs of the Peninsula as the "Complete Knight". Furthermore, he was the author of the Divan and he was a Warrior, his father was a leader of the Banu ʿAbs tribe named Shaddad. His mother was Zabiba, an African Abyssinian princess-turned-slave who was originally captured during a battle between the invading Banu Abs tribe and the ancient Abyssinian army.

Modern times

The modern Banu Abs tribe is quite large and scattered across the region. Significant populations of this tribe can be found in Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Israel, Yemen, Sudan, Kuwait, Egypt, and Jordan. In addition, branches of the tribe can be found in the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere in the Arab World, as well as in Malaysia, Europe, the United States, and Brazil. Members and descendants of the tribe may carry the tribal name or some variation thereof, such as: Alabsi, Al-Absy, al-Absy, Al'Absy, Al Absy, Al-Absi, al-Absi, Al'Absi, Al Absi, Absy, Absi, Absey, Abzi, etc.

Social Work

The sheer numbers, and widespread nature, of the Banu Abs clan have contributed to the formation of various tribal organizations, divans, cultural groups, and charitable trusts.

One example is the 'Abs Universal Organization for Social Development. This is a non-profit organization dedicated to:

"Social, cultural, economic and humanitarian organization. It aims to improve the living conditions of Rashaida people and in particular the Rashaida people in the Sudan, Eritrea and poor areas. Also, it aims to raise the level of education and cultural knowledge for Rashaida people in the whole Arabic world."

- The organization includes some charities. The charities are going to build some schools and hospitals in some poor countries which are home to Rashidi people.

The President is Mr. Fayez Albghaili Al- Rashidi

Secretary-General is Mr. Mubarak Al-Duwailah

Deputy of Secretary-General Dr. Abdullah Saad Alawaimrai"⁵

Kuwaiti Parliament

In modern times, many of the most politically active descendants of the tribe are either in the Kuwaiti Parliament, also known as the Kuwait National Assembly, or are former members of the Kuwaiti Parliament. See the Notable Tribe Members section below for a listing of some of the more prominent members.

Banu Rasheed

Main article: Bani Rasheed

The Bani Rasheed or Rashaida peoples are the sons of Rasheed Al-Zaul Al-Absi. Rasheed Al-Zaul was one of the Banu Abs tribe's most famous warriors, living in the 7th century. Afterwards, his progeny named themselves after him. The Rashaida peoples are currently located in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Sudan, Jordan, Eritrea, and other Persian Gulf states.

Mahas People

Main article: Mahas

The Mahas people are a tribe that are descended on the matrilineal side from a combination of the Banu Khazraj of Saudi Arabia (of whom the Nasrid dynasty of Granada was also descended) and the Nubians. There is some intermarriage between the Rashaida peoples and the Mahas peoples of the Butana region in Sudan. Due to their intermarriage with the Rashaida peoples, some branches of the Mahas are partially linked to the Banu Abs tribe, as well. It is unclear when exactly they intermarried, and which full name they would carry, whether back to Adnan (of the Rashaida and Banu Abs) or Qahtan (of the Khazraj). Members of the Mahas that are descended from the Banu Abs are, by blood, technically a combination of Adnanite, Qahtanite, and Azdite.

Distinctive Culture

The modern Bedouins in Arabia value ancient Arab traditions including chivalry, honor, bravery, honesty, nobility, hospitality, and generosity. While the Banu 'Abs share such values with their tribal neighbors, they are famous for their unique tribal cultural values. In addition to the aforementioned Bedouin mores, the Banu 'Abs greatly value very ancient traditions that are held in high regard. This helps distinguish them from the many other tribes in Arabia. The main branch of the Banu 'Abs tribe has succeeded in preserving their traditional dress, language, and ethics despite the Westernization of some of their neighbors. The traditional dialect of the tribe is a form of Nejdi Arabic. Specifically, it is a mix between the dialect of the northern peoples of Ha'il and the standard Bedouin dialect. The Banu 'Abs tribe has its own tribal emblem or symbol, which is a practice that is common amongst Arab tribes. This symbol has been lost to some branches of the tribe which settled in other regions.

Branches of the Banu Abs located in other countries uphold their clan-based traditions such as maintaining a clan head to whom all respect is directed and from whom tribal edicts are delivered, upholding traditional codes of honor and utmost family loyalty, and establishing and holding tribal Diwans. Maintaining and respecting family traditions is an important aspect of what differentiates members of the Banu Abs diaspora. At the same time, they have also adapted to their local cultures, incorporating traditions, stories, legends, foods, and music from the lands where they have settled.

While the original Banu Abs have their own tribal emblem, many of the scattered branches outside of Saudi Arabia have developed their own independent tribal crests and flags to identify, and take pride in, their section of the extended family. Some branches of the tribe have also developed their own mottos, fables, and proverbs.

It is a common practice for branches of the Banu Abs tribe to maintain private family genealogies and histories that trace their patrilineal lines from their modern members all the way back to Abs, Adnan, Ishmael, Abraham, and ultimately to Adam. These private family histories of their ancestors also record notable details about historical members of the tribe. These histories can include dates of birth and/or death, mention of wars or battles participated in, various deeds done and honors earned, details of personalities and reputations, information on the crafts, trades, and businesses that the people engaged in, any peculiar or interesting causes of death, and other notable events or actions.

Notable Tribe Members

Pre-Modern:

• Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman: Hudhayfah (died in 656 CE) was one of the Sahabah (companions) of Prophet Muhammad.
• Muhammad al-Shaybani: al-Shaybānī (749/50 – 805 CE), the father of Muslim international law, was an Islamic jurist and a disciple of Abu Hanifa (later being the eponym of the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence), Malik ibn Anas and Abu Yusuf.
• Antarah ibn Shaddad: Perhaps the most famous member of the Banu Abs tribe, Antar ibn Shaddad was an ancient, pre-Islamic warrior poet.
• Khaled bin Sinan: A revered figure of pre-Islamic Arabia who is thought to have lived sometime between the 1st and 7th century CE. Historical accounts narrate that he was one of a line of prophets sent to the Arab peoples, beginning with Ismā'īl and ending with Muhammad.
• Rasheed Al-Zaul Al-Absi: One of the Banu Abs tribe's famous warriors, living in the 7th century CE. The progenitor of the Bani Rasheed tribe and the Rashaida peoples.
• Harith ibn Rab'i: Also known as Abu Qatada al-Ansari, he was one of the companions of Muhammad. He assisted the battles of Uhud and Hudaybiyyah.
• Al-Tutili: Abu ’l-ʿAbbās (or Abū Dj̲aʿfar) Aḥmad ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Hurayra al-ʿUtbī (or al-Kaysī) (died 1126 CE), nicknamed al-Aʿmā al-Tuṭīlī or the Blind Poet of Tudela, was a Andalusian mūwallad poet who composed in Arabic.
• Zuhair ibn Qais
• Orwah bin Al Ward bin Zaid Al-Absi
• al-Qa'qa' ibn Khulayd (or Khalid) al-Absi: He served as personal secretary to the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid I between 705-715 CE. The Caliph rewarded him by granting him the locality of Hiyar Bani Qa'Qa' near Qinnasrin (The History of al-Tabari, Vol. XXVIII, 'Abbasid Authority Affirmed). The territory was named after al-Qa'qa. Al-Qa'qa' was the father of Walid ibn al Qa'a' al-Absi and the grandfather of Thumama ibn al-Walid ibn Qa'qa' al-Absi.
• Walid ibn al Qa'qa al-Absi: An Arabian general who lived in the eighth century and contributed to the initial wave of Islamic conquests. He served under the Umayyad Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik. In 737 CE al Walid ibn al Qa'qa al-Absi led a raid against the Byzantines. He was the father of Thumama ibn al-Walid.
• Thumama ibn al-Walid: Thumāma ibn al-Walīd ibn Qa‘qā al-‘Absi‘ was an Arab general of noble lineage from Syria, who served the Abbasid Caliphate. He was the son of Walid ibn al Qa'qa al-Absi and the father of Uthman ibn Thumāma ibn al-Walīd ibn Qa‘qā al-‘Absi‘. He led the annual summer raids into Byzantine Asia Minor in 777 and in 778 CE, when he was defeated by the Byzantine general Michael Lachanodrakon. He was also placed in charge of the expedition in 779 CE, but according to al-Tabari he failed to carry it out, and was replaced by al-Hasan ibn Qahtaba.
• Uthman ibn Thumāma ibn al-Walīd ibn Qa‘qā al-‘Absi‘: Son of Thumama ibn al-Walid. One of the local leaders of Qinnasrin, in Syria, who used the turmoil of the Fourth Fitna in the 810s CE to become the virtually autonomous rulers of their localities.
• Nasr ibn Khuzayma al-Absi: A member of the nobility of Kufa, in Iraq, who backed the claims of Zayd ibn Ali (the great-grandson of Ali ibn Abi Talib and one of the Imams of the Zaidiyyah sect of Shia Islam) between 738 - 740 CE, during the Zaydi Revolt. Zayd was the grandson of Husayn ibn Ali, who had also mounted a much larger earlier rebellion against the Umayyad Caliphate in 680 CE (60 years previously) that was known as the Second Fitna (or Second Islamic Civil War). Nasr ibn Khuzayma al-Absi pledged his allegience to Zayd and served as a captain of his forces. During a fierce battle in the narrow streets of Kufa between Umayyad and Zaydi forces, Nasr engaged in one-on-one combat with his relative from Syria, Na'il ibn Farwah al-Absi, who had sworn to strike him down. Nasr al-Absi dealt a deathblow to Na'il al-Absi, but not before he himself was mortally wounded in his thigh. Nasr ibn Khuzayma al-Absi died soon afterwards due to his injuries. Nasr ibn Khuzayma al-Absi was killed in 740 CE. (Sourced from: The History of al-Tabari, Vol. XXVI, The Waning of the Umayyad Caliphate)
• Na'il ibn Farwah al-Absi: A member of a branch of the Banu Abs tribe based in Syria, and a loyalist to the Umayyad Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik. Na'il served as a cavalryman and captain in the Umayyad force of Kufa under the command of Al-'Abbas ibn Sa'id al-Murri, the chief of police of Yusuf ibn Umar al-Thaqafi (the Umayyad governor of Iraq). The large Umayyad force was arrayed against the much smaller force of Zayd ibn Ali (leader of the Zaydi Rebellion). Upon learning that Nasr ibn Khuzayma al-Absi, a member of the Kufa-based branch of the Banu Abs tribe and a high ranking member of the Kufa nobility, was supporting Zayd ibn Ali in his rebellion, Na'il al-Absi swore to strike him dead. According to al-Tabari, Na'il swore: "By God, if I set eyes on Nasr ibn Khuzayma I will surely kill him or he will surely kill me." Na'il al-Absi was then gifted a sword by Yusuf ibn Umar of such high quality that it was said to be "a sword that would cut through anything it touched" (possibly a Damascus Steel sword). Na'il ibn Farwah al-Absy engaged Nasr ibn Khuzayma al-Absi in single combat in Kufa in a narrow street, during an Umayyad assault on Zayd's forces. Na'il al-Absi struck Nasr al-Absi a mortal blow in his thigh. Na'il ibn Farwah al-Absi was then struck dead in combat by Nasr ibn Khuzayma al-Absi in retaliation. Nasr al-Absi himself died of his injury soon afterwards. Na'il ibn Farwah al-Absi was killed in 740 CE. (Sourced from: The History of al-Tabari, Vol. XXVI, The Waning of the Umayyad Caliphate)
• Qurra ibn Sharik al-Absi: Qurra ibn Sharik al-Absi was the governor of Egypt in 709–715 CE, under the Umayyad Caliphate.
• Ali ibn Ziyad: Ali ibn Ziyad at-Tarabulsi al-Tunisi al-'Absi (d. 799 CE) (Arabic: علي بن زياد الطرابلسي التونسي العبسي), more commonly referred to in Islamic scholarship as Ali ibn Ziyad or Imam al-Tarabulsi, was an 8th-century CE Tunisian Muslim jurist from Tripoli.
• Abd al-Malik ibn Rifa'a al-Fahmi: Abd al-Malik ibn Rifa'a al-Fahmi was the governor of Egypt for the Umayyad Caliphate in 715–717 CE.
• Abd Allah al-Qaysi: Abu Muhammad Abd Allah bin Muhammad bin Qasim bin Hilal bin Yazid bin 'Imran al-'Absi al-Qaysi was an early Muslim jurist and theologian.
• Sidi Khaled Ibn Sinan al Absi: A prominent Muslim holy man. The Algerian town in which he is buried is named after him.
• Simak ibn 'Ubayd al-'Absi: Served as the governor of the ancient metropolis of Al-Mada'in in 663 CE, shortly after it fell into the hands of the Umayyad Caliphate.
• Muhammad bin Uthman bin Abi Shaybah Al-Absi Al-Kufi: A famous Muslim Hafiz of the Banu Abs tribe who lived between 825-909 CE (210-297 AH). Born in the town of Kufa, Iraq and died in Baghdad.
• Hudhaifa ibn al-Ahwas al-Absi: Appointed by the Umayyad Caliphate and ruled as governor of newly conquered Islamic Spain (al-Andalus) for a period of one year in 728 CE (1984, Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad Maqqarī, The History of the Mohammedan Dynasties in Spain: Extracted from the Nafhu-t-tíb Min Ghosni-l-Andalusi-r-rattíb Wa Táríkh Lisánu-d-Dín Ibni-l-Khattíb, Volume 2, 665pp).
• Abdullah bin al-Mu'tamm al-Absi: A companion of the Prophet Muhammad. Participated as a commander in the battle of al-Qadisiyyah in 636 CE, and in the conquest of al-Mada'in during the Islamic conquest of Iraq. Also fought in battles in Mosul and Tikrit (The History of al-Tabari, Vol. XII, The Battle of al-Qadisiyyah and the Conquest of Syria and Palestine).
• Ka'b bin Hamid al-Absi: Served as commander of the Caliph's household guard under the Umayyad Caliph Sulayman, and his successor Caliph Umar II, between 715 and 720 CE (History of al-Tabari, Vol. XXIV, The Empire in Transition). According to the cited source, after Sulayman's death, Ka'b assisted in the initial transition of power between him and his son, Umar II.

Modern:

• Arwa Al Absi Al Jundi: One of the 2011 winners of Sheikha Manal's Young Artist Award, an annual fine arts competition launched in the UAE in 2006 and designed to promote emerging young artists.
• Mohammed Al-Rasheedi: Mohammed Al-Rasheedi, PhD is a member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, representing the fourth district.
• Abbas bin Habib Al-Minawir Al-Musaylim: A former member of the Kuwaiti parliament and a very influential political figure until now. There is an area in Kuwait called Al Abbasiyah that has been named after him.
• Barrak bin Nassir kAl-Noun Al-Aouni: A former Kuwaiti parliament member and one of the most influential figures in modern Kuwait.
• Ali bin Salim Al-Ajiylan Al-Diqbasii: The Speaker of the Arab Parliament and member of the Kuwait National Assembly where he represents Kuwait's Fourth District. He is a member of the Al-Rashaydah tribe. He maintains a good relationship with Kuwait's royal family, the House of Sabah.
• Thekraa Al-Rashidi: A famous Kuwaiti lawyer and politically active woman.
• HE Dr. Mabrouk Mubarak Salim: Sudan's State Minister of Transport and Roads. This prominent and highly respected individual is the founder of the Sudanese Rashaida Free Lions and the leader of the Rashaida tribe in Sudan.
• Dr. Basheer Alrashidi: A prominent psychiatrist.
• Mohammed Al-Rashidi: A prominent journalist.
• Dr. Mustafa al'Absi: A prominent professor.
• Dr. Ahmed I. Al-Absi: A prominent medical doctor and nephrologist in the United States. Trained and educated in Jordan and the United States, he holds multiple honors and certifications.
• Talal Al-Absi: A Saudi Arabian football player who currently plays as a defender for Al-Taawoun FC.
• Mustafa al'Absi: Mustafa al’Absi, Ph.D. is a Professor of Behavioral Medicine and the holder of the Max & Mary La Due Pickworth Chair at University of Minnesota Medical School.
• Ali al-Absi: Refereed the first ever Qatar Emir Cup football match in 1972.
• Hassan Al-Absi: Hassan Al-Absi (born 1966) is a Saudi Arabian former cyclist. He competed in the individual road race and team time trial events at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
• Wadih al-Absi: Prominent Kuwaiti businessman.
• Ayoob Tarish Absey: Famous Yemeni singer.
• Mr. Fayez Albghaili Al- Rashidi: The president of the 'Abs Universal Organization for Social Development, a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating poverty and improving the living conditions of the Rashidi peoples, primarily in Sudan and Eritrea.

See also

• Arabian tribes that interacted with Muhammad
• Bani Rasheed
• Rashaida
• Tribes of Arabia
• Najd
• Mahas

References

(Arabic Websites)

1. https://web.archive.org/web/20081222080550/http://www.bani-3abs.com/inf/articles-action-show-id-8.htm

2. http://www.bani-3abs.net/aa/showthread.php?t=65795

3. http://www.alkfh.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17449

4. http://www.palestineremembered.com/Gaza/al-Faluja/Story9291.html

5. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=40038845495&ref=ts