Malik Ibn Nuwayra

Malik ibn Nuwayra (: died 632), was the chief of the Banu Yarbu, a clan of the Banu Hanzala, which was a large section of the powerful tribe of Bani Tamim.

Muhammad had appointed Malik as an officer over the Banu Yarbu clan to collect and send them to Medina. However, after the death of Muhammad, Malik stopped distributing the zakah and refused to send it to Medinah. As a result, Abu Bakr ordered his execution, which was carried out by Khalid bin Walid.

Death

Malik was appointed by Muhammad as the collector of the ('alms tax') for his clan, the Yarbu of the Tamim. However, following Muhammad's death, Malik stopped distributing the zakah and also refused to send it to Medina. As a result, Abu Bakr decided to have him executed by Khalid ibn al-Walid. In 632, Khalid and his army encountered Malik and eleven of his clansmen from the Yarbu. The Yarbu did not resist, proclaimed their Muslim faith, and were escorted to Khalid's camp. Despite the objection of an Ansarite, who had been among the captors and argued that the captives' inviolability should be respected due to their declaration of faith, Khalid had them all executed. Afterward, Khalid married Malik's widow, Layla bint al-Minhal. When news of Khalid's decision reached Medina, Umar, who had become Abu Bakr's chief aide, pressed for Khalid to be punished or relieved of command. Abu Bakr, aware of Khalid's military prowess, chose to pardon him instead, exclaiming "I will not sheathe a sword which God has drawn for His service."

Another reason cited by historians for Malik's execution is his alleged apostasy, specifically his refusal to acknowledge Muhammad as a prophet during his encounter with Khalid. According to the 8th-century historian Sayf ibn Umar's account, which historian Landau-Tasserson notes is unique, Malik had been cooperating with the self-proclaimed prophetess Sajah, a kinswoman from his tribe, the Banu Yarbu. However, after their defeat by rival clans of the Banu Tamim, Malik abandoned her cause and retreated to his encampment at al-Butah, where he and a small group of his followers were subsequently encountered by Muslim forces. In this account, Malik refers to Muhammad as "your companion," a term often used by polytheists, and also refuses to acknowledge the obligation of paying zakah. However, modern historian Wilferd Madelung rejects Sayf's account, arguing that had Malik truly renounced Islam, neither Umar nor other Muslims would have objected to Khalid's decision to execute him. In contrast, modern scholar Ali al-Sallabi emphasizes that his refusal to pay zakah was the key issue. He cites historical accounts, including those from Ibn Sallam al-Jumahi and Al-Nawawi, which highlight that some apostates, like Malik, were willing to perform prayer, but resisted paying zakah, thus rejecting an essential pillar of Islam.

Some scholars have argued that Khalid's actions were justified given the circumstances. Ibn Hajar maintains that Malik’s refusal to pay zakah did constitute apostasy, and note that even his own brother admitted this to Umar. In this view, Abu Bakr’s decision to support Khalid’s actions was justified, and Umar eventually accepted this, as he never took action against Khalid on the matter after becoming caliph. Ibn Taymiyyah held that, while some may argue that Malik was wrongfully killed, Khalid should not be condemned, as he acted based on his own interpretation that Malik had apostatized. He further stated that since the details of the incident are not definitively known to preclude valid ijtihad, any criticism would amount to speaking without knowledge, which is religiously prohibited. The modern historian W. Montgomery Watt also remarks that the accounts concerning the Banu Tamim during the Ridda Wars are generally unclear, in part because enemies of Khalid distorted the narratives to tarnish his reputation.

Due to the contradictory nature of the historical sources, determining the exact circumstances of Malik’s death remains difficult. Landau-Tasseron notes that "the truth behind Malik's career and death is likely to remain obscured by a multitude of conflicting reports. Al-Dhahabi, addressing the broader issue, emphasized the prior virtues and sincere worship of those involved, suggesting such qualities could atone for mistakes, while cautioning against both exaggerating in their praise and unjustly condemning them.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Malik ibn Nuwayrah
6th-century births
7th-century deaths
7th-century Arab people
Year of birth missing
Year of death missing
People of the Ridda Wars
People executed by the Rashidun Caliphate