Battle of Dibba
Battle of Dibba | |||||||
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Part of Ridda Wars | |||||||
Dibba, United Arab Emirates | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Apostate Azdis Anti-Julanda Tribes |
Rashidun Caliphate Pro-Caliphate Azdis Banu al-Julanda Pro-Julanda Tribes Qays | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Laqit bin Malik Al-Azdi † |
Abu Bakr Hudhayfah al-Bariqi Arfajah Ikrimah | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
10,000 killed | Unknowm |
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The Battle of Dibba took place between 632–634 CE during the Ridda Wars and is associated with the deaths of 10,000 men on the plain inland of the coastal town of Dibba, in what is now the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The graves of the fallen can still be seen in the area.
Al Azd
When the Persian
In 630 CE, the Al Azd allied with the Julanda and attacked the Sasanian governor Maskan and defeated Maskan's forces at Damsetjerd in Sohar, killing Maskan.[3] Leaving behind all their silver and gold, the overwhelmed Sasanians were expelled from the country.[1] Upon Muhammad's death in 632, Abd travelled to Medina to swear fealty to the Caliph Abu Bakr, who received him with pleasure.[2]
Uprisings
A series of apostate uprisings took place across Arabia, the suppression of which became known as the Ridda Wars, with a series of commanders despatched to put down the rebellions. Abu Bakr sent two commanders to Oman, Hudhayfa bin Mihsan Al Ghalfani, a Yemeni Himyarite and Arfajah, an Azdi. These were to support the Julanda kings against any dissident Al Azdis.[4]
The leader of the apostates of Oman was
Battle
The combined force then marched on Dibba, then described as 'a great market and town'. Laqit found early success in the ensuing battle, placing his men's families behind their lines in order to encourage them to fight harder. However, the Medinan army prevailed following the arrival of reinforcements, the Beni Abdul Kais and Beni Najia tribes who had formed part of the Caliph's army but who had been delayed during the long journey from Medina.[5] Contemporary texts put the death toll at 10,000. The town of Dibba was looted and the captives, one fifth of the treasure and the livestock of the town were sent as tribute to Abu Bakr.[6]
The phrase 'Day of Dibba' is still used, signifying the defeat of paganism by Islam.[7]