Qarib ibn al-Aswad

Chief of the Ahlaf, the confederates of Thaqif, and commander of their banner at the battle of Hunayn. He stood firm in the battle until Hawazin were routed, then withdrew with his people and his banner, falling back toward Ta'if with the fewest losses ¹.

Thaqif had two chiefs: Qarib ibn al-Aswad over the Ahlaf, and Subay' ibn al-Harith over Banu Malik ². When the polytheists' ranks broke, Qarib planted his banner and fought around it until he was sure of his people's withdrawal. Then he propped the banner against a tree and went on to Ta'if with his men. Only two men of the Ahlaf were struck down ³.

He came with Abu Mulayh ibn Urwa, wishing to separate from Thaqif, and both became Muslims. When Abu Mulayh was permitted to settle his father's debt from the property of al-Lat, Qarib said: "And what of al-Aswad, Messenger of God?" The Prophet said: "al-Aswad died a polytheist." He said: "The debt is on me, and I am the one who will see to it." So the Prophet ﷺ ordered Abu Sufyan to settle the debts of Urwa and al-Aswad ⁴. See the delegation of Thaqif.