The apostasy of al-Ḥuṭam. On the death of al-Mundhir ibn-Sâwa, a little after the death of the Prophet, those in al-Baḥrain descended from Ḳais ibn-Thaʿlabah ibn-ʿUkabah apostatized under al-Ḥuṭam from Islâm. This al-Ḥuṭam was Shuraiḥ ibn-Ḍubaiʿah ibn-ʿAmr ibn-Marthad, one of the sons of Ḳais ibn-Thaʿlabah. He was nicknamed Ḥuṭam for saying,
"The night found her in the company of a strong driver who does not drive gently [Ar. ḥuṭam]".[1]
Together with these there apostatized from Islam in al-Baḥrain all the Rabîʾah tribe with the exception of al-Jârûd, i. e. Bishr ibn-ʿAmr al-ʿAbdi[2] and those of his people who followed him. For a leader, they chose a son of an-Nuʿmân ibn-al-Mundhir, named al-Mundhir. Al-Ḥuṭam followed the Rabîʿah and joined them with his men. Having received this information, al-ʿAlâʾ ibn-al-Ḥaḍrami marched at the head of the Moslems until he came to Juwâtha, which was the fortification of al-Baḥrain. As Rabîʿah advanced towards him, he set out towards them with his Arabs and non-Arabs and led a heavy fight against them. Then the Moslems took refuge in the fortification where they were besieged by the enemy. It was in reference to this occasion that ʿAbdallâh ibn-Ḥadhaf al-Kilâbi said:
"Wilt thou carry this message
to abu-Bakr and all the youths of al-Madînah?
Hasten to the aid of some young men of your number,
who are invested as captives in Juwâtha."[3]
At last al-ʿAlâʾ made a sally with the Moslems and fell upon the Rabîʿah during the night. A fierce battle ensued in which al-Ḥuṭam was killed.
