At a glance
- Era
- Pre-Islamic Arabia
- Region
- Arabia
- Review
- Draft Completeness 1/5 · Help complete it
In time
Overview
This is a war from the days of the Arabs before Islam, related by Ibn al-Athir from Zuhayr ibn Janab al-Kalbi and Ghatafan. 2
The cause
After the Banu Bughid ibn Rayth ibn Ghatafan became mighty and grew rich by their killing of Sada', a tribe of Madhhij, they said: "We will take a sanctuary like Mecca, whose game is not killed and whose refugee is not harried." They built a sanctuary, and the Banu Murra ibn Awf were in charge of it. 2
The raid
When this reached Zuhayr, who was called the soothsayer for the soundness of his judgement, he said that he would not leave Ghatafan to take a sanctuary while he was alive. He raided them, fought them very fiercely and defeated them. He took a horseman of theirs in their sanctuary and killed him, and put an end to that sanctuary. Then he granted Ghatafan favour, returned the women and took the property. 2
Connections
- Had participant
- Zuhayr ibn Janab al-Kalbi· Ghatafan
People and things also explored
Expedition of al-Kudr· Expedition of Dhu Amarr· Abdullah ibn Rawaha's expedition to Khaybar and the killing of al-Yasir ibn Rizam· Zuhayr ibn Janab's War on Bakr and Taghlib· the wars of Zuhayr ibn Janāb — the ḥaram of Ghaṭafān destroyed, Kulayb and al-Muhalhil taken· Banu Murra· Mudar ibn Nizar· Amir ibn al-Adbat al-Ashja'i
Sources
- al-Kamil fi'l-Tarikh of Ibn al-Athir , p. 378
- al-Kamil fi'l-Tarikh of Ibn al-Athir , p.378
Cite this page
islam.museum contributors. “Zuhayr ibn Janab's War on Ghatafan's Sanctuary”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/event/zuhayr-ghatafan-haram-war/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Last updated 2026-10-23.