Layla bint al-Minhal

Layla bint al-Minhal (also Laila) (Arabic: ليلى بنت المنهال‎) was a sahabia (female companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad) and the wife of Malik ibn Nuwayra.

Layla was the daughter of Al Minhal and was later also known as Umm Tamim. Because of her beauty, she was pursued by many men, but rejected their advances. Finally, she met and married Malik ibn Nuwayra.

Malik bin Nuwayra

Malik was a chief of some distinction; a warrior, noted for his generosity; and a famous poet. Bravery, generosity and poetry were the three qualities most admired among the Arabs. During the lifetime of Muhammad, he had been appointed as a tax collector.

Attack on Malik ibn Nuwayra's tribe

During the Ridda wars, which broke out in Arabia after the death of Muhammad, Abu Bakr sent his most talented general Khalid ibn Walid into Najd with 4000 men to submit the tribes of the surrounding areas. Malik was guilty for his acts against the state of Medina. After the death of Muhammad, he broke in open revolt against Medina. As soon as Malik heard of the death of Muhammad, he gave back all the tax to his tribesmen, saying that "I will only pay taxes to the man chosen at Ghadeer" (Ali ibn Abu Taleb).[1] Moreover, he was to be charged because he signed a pact with the self-proclaimed prophetess Sajah. This agreement stated that first they would deal with local enemy tribes together, and then they would confront the state of Medina.[2] When Malik heard about Khalid ibn Walid's victories against powerful Arab tribes, he ordered his tribesmen not to engage the approaching Khalid ibn Walid in battle, to stay at home and hope for peace.[3] He himself apparently moved away across the desert with his family. Also, so as to prove himself loyal to the state of Medina (the future Islamic empire), he collected the tax and sent it to Medina. His riders were stopped by Khalid ibn Walid's army at the town of Battah. Khalid asked them about the signing of a pact with Sajah but they said it was only to exact revenge on their terrible enemies.[4] When Khalid reached Najd, he found no opposing army, so he sent his cavalry to nearby villages and ordered them to call the Azaan (call for prayer) to each party they meet. Zirrar bin Azwar, a group leader, arrested the family of Malik claiming they did not answer the call to prayer.

Malik ibn Nuwayra's Death

Shia view

Malik was asked by Khalid about his crimes. Malik's response was "your master said this, your master said that" referring to [Abu Bakr]. Khalid declared Malik a rebel apostate and ordered his execution.[5] Khalid bin Walid ordered the execution of Malik ibn Nuwayra and after that he married his wife, Layla bint al-Minhal without waiting for iddah period.

Sunni view

When arrested in November 632 AD, Malik was asked by Khalid ibn Walid about his crimes. Khalid's interpretation of Malik's response was that although he and his followers were Muslims, they did not wish to pay taxes to Abu Bakr. Khalid understood this to be a transparent attempt by Malik to save his own life by any means at his disposal. Khalid having clear evidence of Malik's distributing the tax money on getting news of Muhammad's death[5] declared Malik an apostate and ordered his execution.[5] Due to the controversy of marrying Malik's wife on the same night, who was not allowed a waiting or mourning period, Khalid has to explain himself in the court of Medina.

When he met Abu Bakr, he explained that Malik bin Nawari had killed hundreds of Muslims in the town of Rabaab; followed Sajah bint Tameem (an Arab Christian who claimed prophethood) and joined forces with her to kill the Muslims; refused to give the Zakat; refused to answer back to the call of prayer given before entering upon his people; his wife had already claimed she had been abused by him and kept as a prisoner when she proclaimed her allegiance to Islam and his refusal to name Muhammad by his title of Prophethood. For all these reasons he was killed as an enemy and due to his killings of the Muslims in the town of Rabaab.

References
  1. reference=al-Balazuri: book no: 1, page no:107.
  2. reference=al-Tabari: Vol. 2, page no: 496.
  3. reference= Tabari: Vol. 2, Page no: 501-502.
  4. reference= Tabari: Vol) p. 501-2.
  5. reference=Tabari: Vol. 2, Page no: 5)
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