Banu Abs
The Banu Abs بني عبس are an ancient Bedouin tribe from central Arabia, they branch from the powerful Ghatafan tribes. They still inhabit the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa. Of the earliest stories concerning this tribe was the famous classical love and war story of Antar and Abla. Antarah ibn Shaddad al Absi (c.525-615), was one of the seven great pre-Islamic Arab poets, 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 Shaddad of the Banu Abs and his mother was Zabiba, an African slave.
History of Tribe
In pre-Islamic Arabia they were a warring bedouin tribe notably in the war of Al-Dahas wal Ghabraa' which lasted 40 years against the tribe Banu Thibyaan. Before this there was a tale of a fire on a hill which needed to be turned off, and a man of the Banu Abs called Khalid ibn Sinan (believed to be a Prophet between Muhammad and Jesus by many yet this is disputed since Islam does not give light on this issue) had turned this fire off. This hill and area became to be known as Hurrat Al-Nar, and is currently a tourist resort in Saudi Arabia. When Islam came, they were many of the first to accept and they had even became Muslims before the Hijra, changing their whole life style from a warring Bedouin tribe that only revered chivalry, truthfulness, honor, and Allegiance to the tribe into a God-loving Muslim tribe that sacrificed their life for their Lord, and also honored ancient values such as chivalry, bravery, truthfulness, and Manliness. Many scholars and Sahaba had come out of this tribe that had greatly contributed to Islam. Many Families and other tribes branch from this notable Bedouin Tribe, and the most famous of them are the Rashaida or Bani Rasheed (there is no difference between them, some call them Rashaida and others call them Bani Rasheed ) in North Africa and in Saudi Arabia and the arabian Gulf and in jordan and palestine . There was a modern migration of the prominent tribal leaders of Banu 'Abs to Egypt and the area around there due to draught and warfare.
Genealogy
The Banu 'Abs are of the Northern "Arabized" Arabs and the tribal name leads to Adnan (father of Northern Arabs) and the full name is Abs ibn Bughaydh ibn Raith ibn Ghatafan ibn Sa'd ibn Qais Aeelan ibn Modhar ibn Nizar ibn Ma'd ibn Adnan.They are relatives to many tribes in Arabia and are far cousins of Quraysh, Banu Tamim, and Kinanah. Also part of the Ghatafan tribes close to the Banu 'Abs are the Mutair and Thibyaan.
Banu Rasheed
Currently, Bani Rasheed or Rashaida (there is no difference between them, some call them Rashaida and others call them Bani Rasheed ), are sons of Rasheed AlZaul (alzaul is not a name, but refers to his tall height). Rasheed AlZual was one of Banu Ab's famous warriors, living in the 7th century. The Banu Abs tribe are currently located in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Jordan, Palestine, Gulf States and North Africa.
Distinctive Culture
The modern Bedouins in Arabia value Ancient Arabic traditions such as chivalry, honor, bravery, truthfulness, nobility, and generosity. The Banu 'Abs however are known for their unique values that greatly value the traditions mentioned above and much more. First would be bravery, generosity, being a good neighbor, etc... They even have their own tribal emblem or symbol, which is common amongst Arab tribes.
Notable Sahaba, Muslim scholars, and other famous members of this tribe
- Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman
- Mohammed bin Uthman bin Abi Shaybah Al-Absi
- Antarah ibn Shaddad
- Zuhair ibn Qais