# Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalifahs/Dispute between the Midharites and Yemenites

DISPUTE BETWEEN THE MÚDHARITES AND YÉMENITES.
EL-HAITHAM-IBN-ʾADIY relates that Abu-ʾl-ʾAbbâs, es-Saffâh, enjoyed the nightly gatherings and discussions among the people. And I was present, he says, one night when Ibrahîm-ibn-Makhramah, el-Kindy, and men of the sons of el-Hârith-ibn-Kaʾabhis mother's brethren, and Khâlid-ibn-Safuân-ibn-Ibrahîm, et-Tamîmy, were assembled. And they began their tales, and were discussing among themselves the Múdharites and the Yémenites, ​and Ibrahîm said, "O Commander of the Faithful! in good truth, the Yémenites were the Arabs to whom everything was subjected. They possessed cities, and never lacked kings and rulers, but one illustrious ancestor transmitted their might to another from the beginning to the end. The Nuʾamanites, the Mundhirites, the Kabusites, and the Tobbaïtes came from them. And from them came he who is praised in the writings of Daûd: and he who was washed by angels. And from them came he whose death shook el-ʾArsh. And from them came he who was spoken to by the wolf. And from them came he who seized all vessels by force. And there was nothing of value but derived its origin from them—whether thoroughbred steeds, or trenchant blades, or impenetrable armour, or rich robes, or precious pearls. If anything were asked from them, they granted it; but if it were demanded of right, they refused it. And if guests came to them, they feasted them. None could excel their greatness, neither could any attain superiority over them. They were the Arabs of Arab descent, and all beside them were but Arabs by nurture."
​Then Abu-ʾl-ʾAbbâs, es Saffâh, remarked, "I do not think that et-Tamîmy agrees to thy words." And he asked him, "What dost thou say, O Khâlid?"
Khálid replied, "If thou givest me permission to speak, I will speak."
Said es-Saffâh, "I give thee permission. Speak therefore, and fear no man."
Then said Khâlid, "He is in error, O Commander of the Faithful! who enters into an argument without knowledge, and into a discussion without reflection. For how could it be as he states when of a truth the people have not even eloquent tongues nor a correct dialect? And there is no good proof that the Book was sent down in their language, nor that the Sunnah were given in it. And their country is a two days' journey from our country: if they stray away from where we have authority, they are eaten; and if they leave our kingdom, they are murdered. They have vaunted themselves above us on account of the Nuʾamanites, and the Mundhirites, and other things which I shall soon mention; but we glorify ourselves above them on account of the best of men, the noblest ​of the noble, Muhammad, on whom be the greatest blessing and peace! and the grace of God be upon us and upon them! Verily they were followers of him, and gained esteem from him, having been generous to him. But the Prophet came from us, and from us came the chosen Khalîfah, and to us belongs the Frequented House, and el-Maʾasa, and Zem-zem, and el-Makám, and el-Mimbar, and er-Rukn, and el-Hatîm, and el-Mashâʾir, and el-Hijâbat, and el-Bathaʾa, together with all the qualities which we are known to possess. And no excellent thing can be found that we cannot equal, nor can uttered words express our superiority. And from us came es-Sadîk, and el-Farûk, and el-Wasy, and Asad-Allâh, and Saʾîd, esh-Shúhadah, and Zhu ʾl-Janahîn, and Saif-Allâh. These knew God, and He brought them to the True Faith. And whosoever overrides us we will override him; but whosoever shows enmity towards us we will exterminate."
​Then he turned towards Ibrahîm, and asked, "Art thou acquainted with the dialect of thy people?"
He replied, "Yes."
"Then what is the name of the eye?" asked Khâlid.
"The observer," said Ibrahîm.
"And what is the name of the tooth?"
"The labourer," he answered.
"And what is the name of the ear?"
"The listener," said he.
"And what is the name of the fingers?"
"The holders," answered Ibrahîm.
"And what is the name of the beard?"
"The thick hair," he replied.
"And what is the name of the wolf?"
"The avoider," he made answer.
Then Khâlid asked him, "Art thou a believer in Allâh's book?"
"I am," said Ibrahîm.
"But," continued Khâlid, "of a truth the Most High says, 'Verily We have caused to descend the Arabian Kurân, that perchance ye may be instructed.' And the Most High speaks in the plain Arabian tongue, and He says, 'We have not sent a ​messenger except with (knowledge of) the language of his people. Now we are Arabs, and the Kurân was sent down in our tongue. Hast thou never remarked that God says, 'An eye for an eye,' and does not say, 'An observer for an observer;' and He says, 'A tooth for a tooth,' and does not say, 'A labourer for a labourer;' and He says, 'An ear for an ear,' and does not say, 'A listener for a listener;' and He says, 'They shall put their fingers in their ears,' and does not say, 'Their holders ;' and He says, 'Thou shalt not seize by the beard, neither by the head;' and does not say, 'By the thick hair;' and the Most High says, 'The wolf shall eat him,' and does not say, 'The avoider shall eat him.' And now," continued Khâlid, "I will ask of thee four things: if thou admittest them, thou art vanquished; if thou deniest them, thou art an unbeliever."
"What are they?" asked Ibrahîm.
"The Messenger," said Khâlid, "was he of us or of you?"
"Of you," answered Ibrahîm.
"And the Kurân," asked Khâlid, "did it descend upon us or upon you?"
"Upon you," said Ibrahîm.
​"And the Holy House, is it ours or yours?"
"Yours," he replied.
"And the Khalîfah, is he of us or of you?"
"Of you," he answered.
"Then," said Khâlid, "to all excepting these four things thou art welcome."
* ↑ El-Hârith-ibn-ʾAmr-ibn-Kaʾab was the grandfather of Minkar, who gave his name to a numerous tribe the members of which were surnamed el-Minkâry. This tribe produced a great number of remarkable men, amongst whom were Khâlid-ibn-Safuân, and his cousin Shabîb-ibn-Shabba. They were both noted as good orators, speaking with elegance and precision. Khâlid had frequent sittings with the Khalîfah, es-Saffâh.
* ↑ See Tale, p. 76, et seq.
* ↑ See Note *, p. 79.
* ↑ El-Kurân.
* ↑ The traditions of the Prophet.
* ↑ Alluding to the reception met with by the Prophet at el-Medînah on his flight from Mekkah. See Note *, p. 137.
* ↑ A compliment to es-Saffâh.
* ↑ Courage, benevolence, liberality, etc.
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