'Utaybah: Difference between revisions
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Until sometime in the 19th century, a large section of the tribe moved eastwards towards [[Nejd]], which at the time was dominated by another large tribe known as [[Qahtan]]. A mighty war ensued between Otaibah and Qahtan which led to Otaibah taking over most of Qahtan's grazing lands in western Nejd, pushing Qahtan further to the east and south. A large boulder in western Nejd where a group of Qahtani tribesmen made their last stand against Otaibah is still known today as ''Hassaat Ghatan'' ("Qahtan's Rock"). The tribe remained mostly [[bedouin]], however, and only a small number of them settled in the towns of Nejd. Sections of the tribe ended up moving as far east as [[Kuwait]] and as far north as [[Jordan]], suggesting that the tribe must have been remarkably large by the standards of Arabia at the time and had little choice but to burst into the surrounding areas as it did. Otaibah and Qahtan are generally considered to be two of the largest tribes in Saudi Arabia today, though no reliable statistics exist. The rivalry between the two tribes is still alive and vivid among their members, even though almost none of them maintain their old nomadic ways. |
Until sometime in the 19th century, a large section of the tribe moved eastwards towards [[Nejd]], which at the time was dominated by another large tribe known as [[Qahtan]]. A mighty war ensued between Otaibah and Qahtan which led to Otaibah taking over most of Qahtan's grazing lands in western Nejd, pushing Qahtan further to the east and south. A large boulder in western Nejd where a group of Qahtani tribesmen made their last stand against Otaibah is still known today as ''Hassaat Ghatan'' ("Qahtan's Rock"). The tribe remained mostly [[bedouin]], however, and only a small number of them settled in the towns of Nejd. Sections of the tribe ended up moving as far east as [[Kuwait]] and as far north as [[Jordan]], suggesting that the tribe must have been remarkably large by the standards of Arabia at the time and had little choice but to burst into the surrounding areas as it did. Otaibah and Qahtan are generally considered to be two of the largest tribes in Saudi Arabia today, though no reliable statistics exist. The rivalry between the two tribes is still alive and vivid among their members, even though almost none of them maintain their old nomadic ways. |
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The tribe for a long time maintained a cool attitude towards the [[Wahhabi]] movement championed by the [[Al Saud]] clan of [[Nejd]] in the 18th and 19th centuries, and tended to side more with the [[Sharif of Mecca|Sharifs of Mecca]].<ref> H. Kindermann-[C.E. Bosworth]. "'Utayba." Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman , Th. Bianquis , C.E. Bosworth , E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007.</ref> In 1912, however, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, [[Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud]], began an ambitious plan to settle the nomadic tribes within his domains (which at the time included Nejd and Arabia's eastern coastal areas). This was to be coupled with indoctrination of the tribesmen into the religious ideals espoused by [[Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab|Muhammad ibn Abd Al-Wahhab]], as the religious observance of the bedouin was hitherto considered to be somewhat loose. The new settlements were to be known as ''hijras'' and the accompanying religious movement was called the ''[[Ikhwan]]'' ("the Brotherhood"). As a result, a large number of 'Utaybi hijras sprung up across the land, especially in western Nejd. The most famous 'Utaybi hijras were [['Afif]] near [[Dwadmi]], and [[Sajir]] near [[Shaqraa]]. A large contingent of 'Utaybah, led by [[Prince Sultan ibn Bjad]] aka Sultanaldeen, joined the Ikhwan, who were then deployed by Ibn Saud against his rivals as he sought to unite as much of Arabia under his rule as possible. The Ikhwan were instrumental in gaining control of the [[Hejaz]] for Ibn Saud, but they then grew resentful and restless. The 'Utaybi leader of the Ikhwan joined with Ikhwan leaders from other tribes in revolt, but they were defeated by Ibn Saud's forces at the [[Battle of Sbilla]] near [[Zilfi]] in northeastern Nejd in 1930. The 'Utaybi hijras remained, however, and the hijra of 'Afif became particularly prosperous and is now considered a city in its own right, lying approximately half-way between Riyadh and Mecca. |
The tribe for a long time maintained a cool attitude towards the [[Wahhabi]] movement championed by the [[Al Saud]] clan of [[Nejd]] in the 18th and 19th centuries, and tended to side more with the [[Sharif of Mecca|Sharifs of Mecca]].<ref> H. Kindermann-[C.E. Bosworth]. "'Utayba." Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman , Th. Bianquis , C.E. Bosworth , E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007.</ref> In 1912, however, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, [[Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud]], began an ambitious plan to settle the nomadic tribes within his domains (which at the time included Nejd and Arabia's eastern coastal areas). This was to be coupled with indoctrination of the tribesmen into the religious ideals espoused by [[Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab|Muhammad ibn Abd Al-Wahhab]], as the religious observance of the bedouin was hitherto considered to be somewhat loose. The new settlements were to be known as ''hijras'' and the accompanying religious movement was called the ''[[Ikhwan]]'' ("the Brotherhood"). As a result, a large number of 'Utaybi hijras sprung up across the land, especially in western Nejd. The most famous 'Utaybi hijras were [['Afif]] near [[Dwadmi]], and [[Sajir]] near [[Shaqraa]]. A large contingent of 'Utaybah, led by [[Prince Sultan ibn Bjad]] aka Sultanaldeen, joined the Ikhwan, who were then deployed by Ibn Saud against his rivals as he sought to unite as much of Arabia under his rule as possible. The Ikhwan were instrumental in gaining control of the [[Hejaz]] for Ibn Saud, but they then grew resentful and restless. The 'Utaybi leader of the Ikhwan joined with Ikhwan leaders from other tribes in revolt, but they were defeated by Ibn Saud's forces at the [[Battle of Sbilla]] near [[Zilfi]] in northeastern Nejd in 1930. The 'Utaybi hijras remained, however, and the hijra of 'Afif became particularly prosperous and is now considered a city in its own right, lying approximately half-way between Riyadh and Mecca. |
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Revision as of 22:38, 1 April 2010
'Utaybah (Arabic: عتيبة, also spelled Uteibah, Otaibah, and Otaiba) is a large Sunni Muslim tribe of the Arabian Peninsula. As is the case with many other large tribal confederations in the region, the name Otaibah only appeared within the last few centuries. Otaibah's original territory was concentrated in the area around Taif, but in the 18th century, their lands extended to include central Nejd.
Modern History
Until sometime in the 19th century, a large section of the tribe moved eastwards towards Nejd, which at the time was dominated by another large tribe known as Qahtan. A mighty war ensued between Otaibah and Qahtan which led to Otaibah taking over most of Qahtan's grazing lands in western Nejd, pushing Qahtan further to the east and south. A large boulder in western Nejd where a group of Qahtani tribesmen made their last stand against Otaibah is still known today as Hassaat Ghatan ("Qahtan's Rock"). The tribe remained mostly bedouin, however, and only a small number of them settled in the towns of Nejd. Sections of the tribe ended up moving as far east as Kuwait and as far north as Jordan, suggesting that the tribe must have been remarkably large by the standards of Arabia at the time and had little choice but to burst into the surrounding areas as it did. Otaibah and Qahtan are generally considered to be two of the largest tribes in Saudi Arabia today, though no reliable statistics exist. The rivalry between the two tribes is still alive and vivid among their members, even though almost none of them maintain their old nomadic ways.
The tribe for a long time maintained a cool attitude towards the Wahhabi movement championed by the Al Saud clan of Nejd in the 18th and 19th centuries, and tended to side more with the Sharifs of Mecca.[1] In 1912, however, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud, began an ambitious plan to settle the nomadic tribes within his domains (which at the time included Nejd and Arabia's eastern coastal areas). This was to be coupled with indoctrination of the tribesmen into the religious ideals espoused by Muhammad ibn Abd Al-Wahhab, as the religious observance of the bedouin was hitherto considered to be somewhat loose. The new settlements were to be known as hijras and the accompanying religious movement was called the Ikhwan ("the Brotherhood"). As a result, a large number of 'Utaybi hijras sprung up across the land, especially in western Nejd. The most famous 'Utaybi hijras were 'Afif near Dwadmi, and Sajir near Shaqraa. A large contingent of 'Utaybah, led by Prince Sultan ibn Bjad aka Sultanaldeen, joined the Ikhwan, who were then deployed by Ibn Saud against his rivals as he sought to unite as much of Arabia under his rule as possible. The Ikhwan were instrumental in gaining control of the Hejaz for Ibn Saud, but they then grew resentful and restless. The 'Utaybi leader of the Ikhwan joined with Ikhwan leaders from other tribes in revolt, but they were defeated by Ibn Saud's forces at the Battle of Sbilla near Zilfi in northeastern Nejd in 1930. The 'Utaybi hijras remained, however, and the hijra of 'Afif became particularly prosperous and is now considered a city in its own right, lying approximately half-way between Riyadh and Mecca.
Many 'Utaybis have entered the Saudi armed forces in the last few decades, and their presence is particularly heavy in the National Guard. Prominent members of the tribe include Khalaf ibn Hathal, a poet who rose to prominence during the First Gulf War, Juhayman Al-'Utaybi, the militant who led the 1979 seizure of the Sacred Mosque in Mecca (see Grand Mosque Seizure), and Dhaifallah Al-'Utaybi, mayor of Dammam and a former executive in the Saudi national oil company, Aramco.
Branches of the tribe
The Otaibah tribe is subdivided into three major branches, Barga برقا ,Rwog روق and Bano Saad (Sons of Saad) بنو سعد each major branch is divided into many families, each family is divided into various clans.
1. Barga
Led by the tribal leader Ibn Humaid ابن حميد . Families that are listed under Barga can be also subdivided into two major divisions as follows:
1.1 Shamlah شملة which can also be subdivided into many clans ;
Alnufaei النفيعي a clan that includes : Almusa'aed المساعيد , Alnakheshah النخشة , Thoi Mufarrej ذوي مفرج , Thoi Ziad ذوي زياد , Thoi Zaid ذوي زايد , Almahaya المحايا , Albesaisah البسايسه , Alfeletah الفلتة , Alsalaga السلاقى and Ala'elah العيلة .
Alrrwais الرويس a clan that includes : Alshuhabah الشهبة , Almugahesaha المقاحصة , Almarawhah المراوحة and Thoi Mujarri ذوي مجري .
Almugati المقاطي a clan than includes : Alkerzan الكرزان , Albususa البصصة .
Altefehi الطفيحي a clan that includes : Alja'adah الجعدة , Alhusanah الحصنة , Alwethaneen الوذانيين , Alswoatah السوطة , Alhulifat الحليفات , Alhoboos الحبوس , Alhulasah الحلسة , Alhumayah الحمية and Alwegadeen الوقادين .
1.2 Eial Mansour(Sons of Mansour) عيال منصور
Alguthami (also spelled Al-Quthami, Al-Qathami or Al-Qthami) القثامي clans of this family include : Alkhullad الخلد , Alghashashmah الغشاشمة , Alddahasah الدهسة , Aljabarah الجبرة and Alzooran الزوران .
Alosaimi العصيمي clans of this family include : Aljulah الجلاه , Ala'emrriah العمرية , Alababeed العبابيد , Alsheja'een الشجاعين , Alhamareen الحمارين and Alshefa'an الشفعان .
Alda'ajani الدعجاني clans of this family include : Thoi Khyoot ذوي خيوط , Almalabisah الملابسة , Alhuddaf الهدف and Alma'alyah المعالية .
Aldughailabi الدغيلبي clans of this family include : Alna'arah النعرة , Algloob القلوب , Almjfen المجفن and Algeba'ah القبعة .
Alshaibani الشيباني clans of this family include : Thoi Saleh ذوي صالح and Thoi Khalifah ذوي خليفة .
2. Rwog
Led by the tribal leader Ibn Roba'yaan ابن ربيعان . Families that are listed under Rwog can be also subdivided into two major divisions as follows:
2.1 Talhah طلحة includes : Alasa'adah الأساعدة , Alhufah الحفاة , Alsumarrah السمرة , Alhanateesh الحناتيش , Algharbiah الغربية , Alkarashemah الكراشمة , Alddalabehah الدلابحة , Alghawariah الغوارية , Altheebah الذيبة , Alhamameed الحماميد , Alhezman الحزمان , Almaghaibah المغايبة , Thoi Zarrag ذوي زراق , Alghadhabeen الغضابين , Alawazem العوازم .
2.2 Mezhem مزحم includes : Thoi Thubait ذوي ثبيت , Alothyan العضيان , Alghubaiat الغبيات , Almarashedah المراشدة , Aljetha'an الجذعان , Alseaheen السياحين , Thoi A'ali ذوي عالي and thoi A'tyah ذوي عطية .
3. Bano Saad
Led by the tribal leader Ibn Hullail ابن هليل . it is copmosed of many Families but it can be summarized in: Albatnain البطين , Allessah اللصة and Alsurairat الصريرات .
Historical Figures
1. Halimah bint Abi Dhuayb was the foster-mother and wetnurse of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Halimah and her husband were from the tribe of Sa'd b. Bakr, a subdivision of Hawazin. Other transliterations or versions of her name are Halimah bint Abdullah and Halimah As-Sa'diyah. She died in Cyprus at an old age when she fell from her mule during a siege of Larnaca. She was buried near the salt lake and her grave became a sacred shrine. The shrine, and later the mosque and the whole complex was named after her. According to Shia belief, her grave lies in Jannatul Baqi, Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
2. Dorayd bin Al Soma was a pre-Islamic warrior, knight and poet of the Hawazin tribe. He was also the chief of the Jushim clan (modern day Al-Qthami). Arab historians mention that he contributed to more than 100 battles for his tribe. By the time of the rise of Islam, he was already an old man and remained to be a pagan. He was later killed at Hunayn in 630 C.E..
The Biggest Tribal Meeting in the World
The meeting of the Otaibah Tribe is considered to be the biggest family meeting in the Middle East which was held in 2007, in the centre of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
References
- ^ H. Kindermann-[C.E. Bosworth]. "'Utayba." Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman , Th. Bianquis , C.E. Bosworth , E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007.