Muhammad bin Nasir al-Ghafiri () (died 1728) was one of the rival Imams during the civil wars in
Oman
Oman ( ; ar, عُمَان ' ), officially the Sultanate of Oman ( ar, سلْطنةُ عُمان ), is an Arabian country located in southwestern Asia. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, and spans the mouth of ...
in the final years of the
Yaruba dynasty
The Yarubid dynasty () (also the Yaruba or Ya'arubi) were rulers of Oman between 1624 and 1742, holding the title of Imam. They expelled the Portuguese from coastal strongholds in Muscat and united the country. They improved agriculture, expand ...
.
Rule of Ya'arab bin Bel'arab
Mohammed bin Nasir was the "Temeemeh" of the Beni Ghafir, a Nizar tribe.
In 1720
Ya'Arab bin Bel'arab seized power in Oman, declaring himself regent during the minority of his cousin
Saif bin Sultan II.
In May 1722 Ya'Arab took the next step and proclaimed himself Imam.
This caused an uprising led by Bel'arab bin Nasir, a relative by marriage of the deposed Imam.
After some skirmishes, Ya'Arab bin Bel'arab was defeated at
Nizwa and the young Saif bin Sultan II was again declared Imam, this time with Bela'rab bin Nasir as regent.
Mohammed bin Nasir was among the notables who came to
Rustaq
Rustaq ( ar, ٱلرُّسْتَاق, Ar-Rustāq) is a town and ''Wilayah'' (District) in Al Batinah Region of northern Oman. The wilayah is in the Western Hajar Mountains, in the south of the Batinah. Rustaq was once the capital of Oman, duri ...
to congratulate him.
For some reason, Bel'arab bin Nasir picked a quarrel with Mohammed bin Nasir, who took steps to organize a rebellion in alliance with the former Imam Ya'Arab bin Bel'arab.
Civil war
In the fighting that followed Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasir proved to be a skilled commander.
After a series of defeats, Bel'arab bin Nasir was forced to accept peace terms under which he would surrender all forts in Oman.
Around this time Ya'Arab bin Bel'arab died on 16 March 1723 at Nizwa.
Mohammed bin Nasir learned that the forts at
Muscat
Muscat ( ar, مَسْقَط, ) is the capital and most populated city in Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat. According to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the total population of Muscat Governorate was ...
and
Barka were holding out under the leadership of Kalf bin Mubarak al-Hinawi.
He imprisoned Bel'arab bin Nasir, and with a growing force of tribesmen advanced on Barka.
Confused fighting followed, with Mohammed bin Nasir much stronger on land but Kalf having the advantage of sea power.
Imam
Mohammed bin Nasir gained the upper hand. In September 1724 he called a meeting of Sheikhs of Oman at which he declared his intent to withdraw from the struggle.
As planned, he was asked to instead accept the position of Imam.
Muhammad bin Nasir was elected Imam on 2 October 1724.
His rival, Khalf bin Mubarak, stirred up trouble among the northern tribes. In an engagement at
Sohar
Sohar ( ar, صُحَار, also Romanized as Suḥār) is the capital and largest city of the Al Batinah North Governorate in Oman. An ancient capital of the country that once served as an important Islamic port town, Suhar has also been credited ...
in 1728 both Khalf bin Mubarak and Muhammad bin Nasir were killed.
The garrison of Sohar recognized Saif bin Sultan II as Imam, and he was re-installed at
Nizwa.
However, some of the inhabitants of
Az Zahirah
Al Dhahirah (; ''Muḥāfaẓat aẓ-Ẓāhirah'') is one of the governorates (''muhafazah'') of Oman. It was previously a region (''mintaqah''). It became a governorate on 28 October 2011.
Economy
The governorate is the location of the biggest ...
elected Saif's cousin
Bal'arab bin Himyar
Bal'arab bin Himyar () (died 1749) was an Omani Imam, a member of Yaruba dynasty. He was elected Imam in 1728, holding power in the interior of Oman while his cousin, Saif bin Sultan II, held power on the coast. In 1737, he renounced his claim aft ...
as Imam.
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Muhammad bin Nasir al-Ghafiri
1728 deaths
Omani monarchy
Omani imams
Omani Ibadi Muslims
18th-century Omani people
Year of birth missing
18th-century Arabs