The role of Rabi’a tribe in the history of Iraq in the rightly guided caliph’s period

Sagban Ali, Jassim

	The role of Rabi’a tribe in the history of Iraq in the rightly guided caliph’s period
JOURNAL OF THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION FOR WOMEN
Article 1, Volume 21, Issue 3, 2010, Pages 576-588
Author
Jassim Sagban Ali
Abstract
Rabi’a tribe lived on the land of Euphrates since the first century of the Christ. Then that land becomes her homeland. The Persians tried many times to drive her away from that land, but with out result. In the course of time Rabi’a become more knowledgeable of Persia. This tribe proved her love and sanctification to the land of Euphrates, in the battle of Dhyqar. Rabi’a converted to Islam quickly and helped the Muslims to conquer Iraq with a big number of fighters in many battles like al- Qadisyyah. That influenced the anger of Mudriat Arab tribes who were their old enemies. Mudriat tribes did their efforts to reduce the importance of Rabi’a because of some its branches were among of the Murtadin. The Mudriat said (Rabi’a still anger on Allah since Allah sent his prophet from Mudriat). Omar had the same point of view about Rabi’a, and he was saying always (Rabi’a is immorality) therefore he gave Rabi’a the lesser share of Ata in his time. That was 200 dirham yearly for every fighter. Rabi’a achieved what was she wanted when the caliphate transferred from Medina to Kufa, because their authority was fixed in Iraq. So Rabi’a wanted to continue that state, therefore this tribe supported the caliph Ali in the battle of Siffen by all efforts in order to remain Iraq as a centre of caliphate and homeland of Rabi’a. It was clearly Mu’awiya’s intention to ferment disunity among the tribes which could be exploited in his own interest. Mu’awiya sent Abdulla bin al-Hadrami to Basra to win support against Ali , with instructions to cultivate Muder and Azd , but to avoid Rabi’a who were wholly committed to the cause of the caliph Ali. In these loyalties Mudriat and Rabi’a were merely projecting into Islam the traditional hostility which had always characterized their relations. The saying had become that rabi’a was angry at god for having selected the prophet from Mudriat. Also recorded as an example of asabiyya of Rabi’a were the words of one apostate who said (I testify that Muhammad is the true prophet and Musailima is false, but false prophet from Rabi’a is preferable to true one from Mudriat).

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