Samaw'al ibn 'Adiya
Encyclopedia
as-Samaw’al bin ‘Ādiyā’ .AlSamuel ibn 'Adiya was an Arabian poet
and warrior
, in the first half of the 6th century
. His clan converted to Judaism when they were in Yemen. Later, they moved to northern Arabia where al-Samw'al was born and lived his life.
His mother was of the royal tribe of Ghassan, while his father, was from the clan of Banu Alrayan who belongs to the tribe of Harith bin Ka'b from Qahtan. On of the most famous poets of his time. Thanks to the famous poem that he said after a princess tried to degrade his people since they were few. In this poem, brags about the history of his clan - Banu Alrayan- and how they ascended to the lordship of their tribe. Before moving out of Yemen, His clan were the kings in Najran, and at one point they had supremacy over Yemen before some of them -including the poet's father- converted to Judaism and moved to northern Arabia.. In this poem, Al-Samaw'al also trace his genealogy to banu Aldayan. Al-Samuel owned a castle
near Taima
(eight hours north of Medina
), built by his grandfather 'Adiya and called, from its mixed color, al-Ablaq. It was situated on a high hill
and was a halting-place for travelers to and from Syria
.
More than for his poetic talents al-Samaw'al is famous for his connection with the warrior-poet and prince Imru' al-Qais
, which won for him the epithet "faithful," and gave rise to the Arabic saying "more faithful than al-Samaw'al." This came about in the following manner: Amru al-Qais, being abandoned by his followers in his fight with the Banu Asad
to avenge the death of his father, and being pursued by Al-No'man Ibn al-Munthir Ibn Ma' al-Sama', wandered about from tribe to tribe seeking protection as well as support in his endeavor to regain his inheritance. When he came to the Banu Fazarah their chief advised him to seek out Samaw'al ibn 'Adiya' in his castle al-Ablaq, saying that although he had seen the emperor of the Greeks
and visited the Lakhmid kingdom of Hira
, he had never found a place better fitted for assuring safety to those in need, nor known a more faithful protector than its owner. Amru al-Qais, who was accompanied by his daughter Hind, and his cousin, and had with him five suits of chainmail
besides other weapons, immediately set out for the castle, and on the way he and his guide composed a poem in praise of their prospective host. Samaw'al received the poet hospitably, erected a tent of skins for Hind, and received the men into his own hall. After they had been there "as long as God willed," Amru al-Qais, wishing to secure the assistance of the emperor Justinian I
, asked Samaw'al to give him a letter to the Ghassanid prince Harith ibn Abi Shamir, who might further him on his way. The poet then departed, leaving Hind, his cousin, and his armor in Samaw'al's keeping, and he never came to reclaim them. According to Arabian tradition, while on his homeward journey from Constantinople
, he was poisoned by order of Justinian, who had listened to treacherous accusations against him.
After Amru al-Qais had left Al-Ablaq, Prince al-Munthir —it is not known whether before or after Amru's death— sent Harith to Samuel ordering him to deliver up the articles deposited with him. Samuel refusing to do so, Harith laid siege to the castle. The besiegers met with no success until one day Harith captured Samuel's son, who, according to the story in the "Kitab al-Aghani
," was returning from the chase. Harith then called upon the father to choose between giving up the property and witnessing his son's death. Samuel answered that his son had brothers, but that his honor once lost could not be recovered. Harith at once struck off the boy's head before the unhappy father's eyes and then withdrew, perceiving that he could accomplish nothing in the face of such steadfastness. There are a few verses handed down by different Arabian writers in which Samaw'al ibn 'Adiya refers to this deed.
A description of the castle al-Ablaq is given by the poet A'sha (Yaqut, i. 96), who confuses it with Solomon's Temple
. It is related of this poet that, being captured together with other Arabs, he was taken as a prisoner to the castle at Taima
, at that time belonging to Samuel's son Shuraih ibn Samaw'al, without his captor's knowing that he was in the company. Waiting until Shuraih was within hearing, A'sha began to recite a poem extolling the deed of his father, and calling on the son to emulate his example by rescuing him (A'sha). Shuraih procured the poet's release, and allowed him to depart, first presenting him with a swift camel. Shuraih himself, his brother Jarid, and Samuel's grandson Sa'ba were all poets.
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and warrior
Warrior
A warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...
, in the first half of the 6th century
6th century in poetry
-Arabic world:Pre-Islamic poetry at its height as the Arabic language emerges as a literary language.-Poets:* 'Abid ibn al-Abris, * Samaw'al ibn 'Adiya * 'Alqama ibn 'Abada* Maymun Ibn Qays Al-a'sha...
. His clan converted to Judaism when they were in Yemen. Later, they moved to northern Arabia where al-Samw'al was born and lived his life.
His mother was of the royal tribe of Ghassan, while his father, was from the clan of Banu Alrayan who belongs to the tribe of Harith bin Ka'b from Qahtan. On of the most famous poets of his time. Thanks to the famous poem that he said after a princess tried to degrade his people since they were few. In this poem, brags about the history of his clan - Banu Alrayan- and how they ascended to the lordship of their tribe. Before moving out of Yemen, His clan were the kings in Najran, and at one point they had supremacy over Yemen before some of them -including the poet's father- converted to Judaism and moved to northern Arabia.. In this poem, Al-Samaw'al also trace his genealogy to banu Aldayan. Al-Samuel owned a castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
near Taima
Taima
Taima may refer to:* Tayma, a large oasis with a long history of settlement, located in northeastern Saudi Arabia* Taima , an orca from Sea World Orlando, Florida* Taimah, a 19th-century Sauk leader, also known as Chief Tama...
(eight hours north of Medina
Medina
Medina , or ; also transliterated as Madinah, or madinat al-nabi "the city of the prophet") is a city in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia, and serves as the capital of the Al Madinah Province. It is the second holiest city in Islam, and the burial place of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, and...
), built by his grandfather 'Adiya and called, from its mixed color, al-Ablaq. It was situated on a high hill
Hill
A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills often have a distinct summit, although in areas with scarp/dip topography a hill may refer to a particular section of flat terrain without a massive summit A hill is a landform that extends above the surrounding terrain. Hills...
and was a halting-place for travelers to and from Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
.
More than for his poetic talents al-Samaw'al is famous for his connection with the warrior-poet and prince Imru' al-Qais
Imru' al-Qais
Imru` al-Qais bin Hujr al-Kindi was an Arabian poet in the 6th century AD, and also the son of one of the last Kindite kings. His qaseeda, or long poem, "Let us stop and weep" is one of the seven Mu'allaqat, poems prized as the best examples of pre-Islamic Arabian verse...
, which won for him the epithet "faithful," and gave rise to the Arabic saying "more faithful than al-Samaw'al." This came about in the following manner: Amru al-Qais, being abandoned by his followers in his fight with the Banu Asad
Banu Asad
The Bani Assad or Banu Assad is an Arab tribe in Iraq. They are Adnanite Arabs, powerful and one of the most famous tribes. They are widely respected by many Arab tribes, respected by Shia Muslims because they have buried the body of Imam Husayn, his family and companions with the help of Imam...
to avenge the death of his father, and being pursued by Al-No'man Ibn al-Munthir Ibn Ma' al-Sama', wandered about from tribe to tribe seeking protection as well as support in his endeavor to regain his inheritance. When he came to the Banu Fazarah their chief advised him to seek out Samaw'al ibn 'Adiya' in his castle al-Ablaq, saying that although he had seen the emperor of the Greeks
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
and visited the Lakhmid kingdom of Hira
Hira
Hira or the Cave of Hira is a cave about from Mecca, on the mountain named Jabal Al-Nūr in the Hejaz region of present day Saudi Arabia...
, he had never found a place better fitted for assuring safety to those in need, nor known a more faithful protector than its owner. Amru al-Qais, who was accompanied by his daughter Hind, and his cousin, and had with him five suits of chainmail
Chainmail
Mail is a type of armour consisting of small metal rings linked together in a pattern to form a mesh.-History:Mail was a highly successful type of armour and was used by nearly every metalworking culture....
besides other weapons, immediately set out for the castle, and on the way he and his guide composed a poem in praise of their prospective host. Samaw'al received the poet hospitably, erected a tent of skins for Hind, and received the men into his own hall. After they had been there "as long as God willed," Amru al-Qais, wishing to secure the assistance of the emperor Justinian I
Justinian I
Justinian I ; , ; 483– 13 or 14 November 565), commonly known as Justinian the Great, was Byzantine Emperor from 527 to 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the Empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the classical Roman Empire.One of the most important figures of...
, asked Samaw'al to give him a letter to the Ghassanid prince Harith ibn Abi Shamir, who might further him on his way. The poet then departed, leaving Hind, his cousin, and his armor in Samaw'al's keeping, and he never came to reclaim them. According to Arabian tradition, while on his homeward journey from Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
, he was poisoned by order of Justinian, who had listened to treacherous accusations against him.
After Amru al-Qais had left Al-Ablaq, Prince al-Munthir —it is not known whether before or after Amru's death— sent Harith to Samuel ordering him to deliver up the articles deposited with him. Samuel refusing to do so, Harith laid siege to the castle. The besiegers met with no success until one day Harith captured Samuel's son, who, according to the story in the "Kitab al-Aghani
Kitab al-Aghani
Kitab al-aghani , is an encyclopedic collection of poems and songs that runs to over 20 volumes in modern editions by the 8th/9th-century litterateur Abu l-Faraj al-Isfahani . Abu l-Faraj claimed to have taken 50 years in writing the work, which ran to over 10 000 pages...
," was returning from the chase. Harith then called upon the father to choose between giving up the property and witnessing his son's death. Samuel answered that his son had brothers, but that his honor once lost could not be recovered. Harith at once struck off the boy's head before the unhappy father's eyes and then withdrew, perceiving that he could accomplish nothing in the face of such steadfastness. There are a few verses handed down by different Arabian writers in which Samaw'al ibn 'Adiya refers to this deed.
A description of the castle al-Ablaq is given by the poet A'sha (Yaqut, i. 96), who confuses it with Solomon's Temple
Solomon's Temple
Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple, was the main temple in ancient Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount , before its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar II after the Siege of Jerusalem of 587 BCE....
. It is related of this poet that, being captured together with other Arabs, he was taken as a prisoner to the castle at Taima
Taima
Taima may refer to:* Tayma, a large oasis with a long history of settlement, located in northeastern Saudi Arabia* Taima , an orca from Sea World Orlando, Florida* Taimah, a 19th-century Sauk leader, also known as Chief Tama...
, at that time belonging to Samuel's son Shuraih ibn Samaw'al, without his captor's knowing that he was in the company. Waiting until Shuraih was within hearing, A'sha began to recite a poem extolling the deed of his father, and calling on the son to emulate his example by rescuing him (A'sha). Shuraih procured the poet's release, and allowed him to depart, first presenting him with a swift camel. Shuraih himself, his brother Jarid, and Samuel's grandson Sa'ba were all poets.
Sources
- Jacobs, Joseph et al. "Samuel bin 'Adiya." Jewish EncyclopediaJewish EncyclopediaThe Jewish Encyclopedia is an encyclopedia originally published in New York between 1901 and 1906 by Funk and Wagnalls. It contained over 15,000 articles in 12 volumes on the history and then-current state of Judaism and the Jews as of 1901...
. Funk and Wagnalls, 1901–1906, citing: - Caussin de Perceval, Essai sur l'Histoire des Arabes Avant l'Islamisme, ii. 319 et seq., Paris, 1847;
- Franz Delitzsch, Jüdisch-Arabische Poesien aus Vormuhammedischer Zeit, Leipsic, 1874;
- Grätz, Gesch. 3d ed., v. 83-86;
- Ḥamasa, ed. Freytag, pp. 49 et seq.;
- Kitab al-Aghani, Index;
- Nöldeke, Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Poesie der Alten Araber, pp. 57-72, Hanover, 1864;
- Rasmusen, Additamenta ad Historiam Arabum (from Ibn Nubata), p. 14;
- R. E. J. vii. 176;
- Baron MacGuckin de Slane, Diwan des Amru'l Kais, Introduction.J. M. W. M.
External links
- The Relation between Arabs and Israelites prior to the Rise of Islam - British Academy, Oxford U.Press (by D. S. Margoliouth, et al. / PDF)