Banu Dhubyan

The Banu Dhubyan (بنو ذبيان) were a large and influential Arab tribe belonging to the Ghatafan confederation. They traced their lineage back to Dhubyan ibn Baghid ibn Rayth ibn Ghatafan ibn Sa'd ibn Qays 'Aylan. The Dhubyan were primarily located in the northern Najd region of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly around the areas of al-Qasim and Wadi al-Rummah.

The tribe played a significant role in pre-Islamic Arabian history, known for their prowess in warfare, poetry, and horsemanship. They were often involved in conflicts with other tribes, including their Ghatafan allies and other powerful groups such as the Abs. The famous War of Dahis and al-Ghabra, a long and devastating conflict sparked by a horse race, involved the Dhubyan and Abs tribes.

Several prominent pre-Islamic poets emerged from the Banu Dhubyan, including al-Nabigha al-Dhubyani, who was considered one of the most important poets of the Jahiliyya period. His poetry provides valuable insights into the social, political, and cultural life of the time.

During the rise of Islam, the Banu Dhubyan initially resisted the new faith. However, they eventually submitted to Islamic rule and played a role in the subsequent Islamic conquests. Some members of the tribe held positions of influence in the early Islamic state.