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Sajah bint Al-Harith ibn Suwayd al-Taghlibi (Arabic: سجاح بنت الحارث بن سويد التغلبي, fl. 630s CE) from the tribe of Banu Taghlib,[1] was an Arab Christian protected first by her tribe; then causing a split within the Arab tribes and finally defended by Banu Hanifa. Sajah was one of a series of people (including her future husband) who claimed prophethood in the 7th-century Arabia and was also the only female claiming to be a prophetess during the Wars of Apostasy in the early Islamic Period.
Sajah | |
|---|---|
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | after 661 CE[1] / 675 AD[2] |
| Known for | Being part of Wars of Apostasy |
| Spouse | Musaylimah |
| Father | Al-Harith ibn Suwayd |
Her full nisba was Sijah binti al-Harith bin Suwaid at-Tamimi.[2] According to Muhammad Suhail Taqu̅sh, Arab culture and Turkic history professor of Imam al-Awza’i University; Sajah was a Christian who also worked as a shaman. Her father was a chief of Banu Yarbu, branch of Banu Tamim, which has dominant Christians populace after their frequent contact with the Christianity influences from the Euphrates Region. Meanwhile, her mother came from Bani Taghlib from Lower Mesopotamia region.[2] However, according to Meir Jacob Kister, Arabist from Hebrew University of Jerusalem; it was instead Sajah's father, Al-Harith ibn Suwayd, who belonged to the Banu Taghlib tribe of Iraq.[3]
The situation of Tamim tribe during the life of Sajah was they are the subject of Sasanian Empire. This relationship was established through the Kingdom of Hira. A kingdom that was an extension of Persia in the Arabian Peninsula. Persian traders passed through several regions first to reach Hirah. Bani Tamim played a role in maintaining the security of Persian trade caravans that crossed the Arabian Peninsula. Meanwhile, due to their adherence to Christian religion, the Tamim tribe also develop close relationship with the Christians in the Euphrates region and northern Syria. The Yarbu branch which Sajah hailed from gained political monopoly in Souk Okaz as one of their chief was entrusted as arbitrator and judge of the market. However, their domination of Souk Okaz came into abrupt end two years before Muhammad preaching Islam.[2]
After the death of Muhammad, Sajah self-proclaim herself as one of the prophet. Muhammad Suhail suspected the motivation of Sajah proclamation was due to political move to unite the Tamim confederation branches.[2] At first, Sajah came into Hizn region, where she manage to gain the allegiance from Bani Malik under Waki' ibn Malik, and Banu Yarbu' under Malik ibn Nuwayra. However, her proclamation was not entirely successful, although the Taghlib tribe under Hudhayl ibn 'Imran pledge their allegiance by abandoning Christianity, majority of the Tamim confederation branches rejected her call, which made Sajah gave up hope of getting the support from the majority of her own kinsmen.[2] As the Ridda wars broke out, she moved into al-Yamama, where she joined forces with Musaylima in anti-Medinese coalition.[4] Thereafter, 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).[citation needed] However, as the time passed on, the alliance came into abrupt end as Musaylima grew suspicious towards Sajah. Thus, Sajah left Musaylima alone to fought against the Muslim army in al-Yamama.[2]
After the Battle of Yamama, where Musaylima was killed, sources mention that Sajah converted to Islam after giving up her claim of prophethood and died after 661 during the reign of Mu'awiya I.[1] Other source said Sajah returned to the settlement of Taghlib tribe after the death of Musaylima, and then she converted to Islam and lived in Basra, where she lived her death 675 AD.[2] After her death, Samura ibn Jundab, the governor of Basra, led the funeral prayer for her.[5]
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