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7th-century Arabian claimant of prophethood From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Musaylima (Arabic: مُسَيْلِمَةُ), otherwise known as Musaylima ibn Ḥabīb (Arabic: مسيلمة ابن حبيب) d.632, was a claimant of prophethood[1][2][3] from the Banu Hanifa tribe.[4][5] Based from Diriyah in present day Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he claimed to be a prophet and was an enemy of Islam in 7th-century Arabia. He was a leader of the enemies of Islam during the Ridda wars.[6] He is considered by Muslims to be a false prophet (Arabic: نبي كاذب).[7] He is commonly called Musaylima al-Kadhāb (Musaylima the Arch-Liar) by Muslims.[8]
Musaylima | |
|---|---|
مُسَيْلِمَةُ | |
.jpg) The killing scene of Musaylima at the hand of Wahshi ibn Harb in Tarikhnama | |
| Born | |
| Died | 632 al-Yamama |
| Resting place | Not Known |
| Other names | Maslama ibn Habib Musaylima al-Kadhab (by Muslims) |
| Spouse | Sajah bint al-Harith |
| Parents |
|
Musaylima's real name was Maslama, but Muslims altered his name to Musaylima, which is the diminutive of Maslama (i.e., 'Little Maslama').[8]
Musaylima was the son of Habib, of the tribe Banu Hanifa, one of the largest tribes of Arabia that inhabited the region of Najd. The Banu Hanifa were a monotheist branch of Banu Bakr and led an independent existence prior to Islam.[9]
Among the first accounts of him describe events in the late 9th Hijri, the Year of Delegations, when he accompanied a delegation of his tribe to Medina. The delegation included two other prominent Muslims. They would later help Musaylima rise to power and save their tribe from destruction. These men were Nahar Ar-Rajjal bin Unfuwa[10] and Muja'a bin Marara. In Medina, the deputation stayed with the daughter of al-Harith, a woman of the Ansar from the Banu Najjar. When the delegation arrived at Medina the camels were tied in a traveler's camp, and Musaylima remained there to look after them while the other delegates went in.
They had talks with Muhammad. The delegation before their departure embraced Islam and renounced Christianity without compunction. As was his custom, Muhammad presented gifts to the delegates, and when they had received their gifts one said, "We left one of our comrades in the camp to look after our mounts."
Muhammad gave them gifts for him also, and added, "He is not the least among you that he should stay behind to guard the property of his comrades." On their return they converted the tribe of Banu Hanifa to Islam.
The Dabestan-e Mazaheb, a 17th century work on the religious beliefs in India during the time claims a religion called the Sadakiyya who followed Musaylima existed then.[11][12] The work chronicles the alleged teachings of Musaylima according to an informant belonging to the group.[11][12] At the Mughal ruler Akbar's council of religions, a discussion on Sadakiyya also took place with the help of its priests.[11][12]
According to the account of Musaylima in the Dabestan-e Mazaheb,[11][12] he taught 3 daily prayers to God, facing any direction.[11] He criticized Muslims for selecting the Ka'aba as the direction of prayers, arguing that God is not limited to one direction. Musaylima declared that the Ka'aba was not the house of God, because an all-powerful God has no need for a house.[11][12] Musaylima said fasting should be at night instead of daytime during Ramadan, he prohibited circumcision, he believed in equal rights for men and women, he allowed premarital sex, he prohibited polygamy and cousin marriage, he declared that any slave who converted to his religion would become free, he stated that Iblis did not exist, because a fair and merciful God would not allow a being like Iblis to throw people into error, and he also said it was wrong to include his name or any prophet’s name in worship to God.[11][12]
Musaylima, who is alleged as having been a skilled magician by Muslim historians, is said to have performed unusual feats that amazed onlookers.[13]
Musaylima shared verses purporting them to have been revelations from God.[10] Thereafter, some of the people accepted him as a prophet alongside Muhammad.[12] Gradually the influence and authority of Musaylima increased with the people of his tribe. He gathered an army of 40,000 followers.[12]
Al-Tabari in his History of the Prophets and Kings chronicles that Musaylima also proposed to share power over Arabia with Muhammad. On 10 Hijri, he wrote to Muhammad:[14]
"From Musaylimah, Messenger of God, to Muhammad, Messenger of God. Salutations to you. I have been given a share with you in this matter. Half the earth belongs to us and half to the Quraish. But the Quraish are people who transgress."[14]
Muhammad, is said to have replied:[14]
"From Muhammad, the Messenger of God, to Musaylimah, the arch-liar. Peace be upon him who follows (God's) guidance. Now then, surely the earth belongs to God, who bequeaths it to whom He will amongst his servants. The ultimate issue is to the God-fearing."[14]
During the Ridda wars which emerged following the death of Muhammad, Sajah bint al-Harith declared that she was a prophetess after learning that Musaylima and Tulayha had declared prophethood.[15] 4,000 people gathered around her to march on Medina. Others joined her against Medina. However, her planned attack on Medina was called off after she learned that the army of Khalid ibn al-Walid had defeated Tulayha al-Asadi (another self-proclaimed prophet).[16] Thereafter, she sought cooperation with Musaylima to oppose the threat of Khalid.[16] A mutual understanding was initially reached with Musaylima. Eventually, the two married and she accepted his prophethood (although she later recanted and died a Muslim).[16] Khalid then defeated the remaining rebellious elements around Sajah, and then moved on to defeat Musaylima.[16]
Musaylima fought in the Battle of Yamama, and was killed by Wahshi ibn Harb.[6]
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