In
traditional Islamic history, the Qamūṣ () was one of the fortresses of the poet
al-Rabi ibn Abu al-Huqayq
Al-Rabi ibn Abu al-Huqayq (, ') was a composer of pre-Islamic Arabic poetry of the Jewish tribe of Banu al-Nadir in Medina, flourishing shortly before the Hijra (622 CE).
His family was in possession of the fort Qamus, situated near Khaybar. Lik ...
and his tribe, who were
Jews
Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
, the
Banu Nadir
The Banu Nadir (, ) were a Jewish Arab tribe that lived in northern Arabia at the oasis of Medina until the 7th century. They were probably a part of the Constitution of Medina, which was formed after Muhammad's Hijrah. Tensions rose between th ...
.
The fortress was situated near
Khaybar
KhaybarOther Arabic transliteration, standardized Arabic transliterations: / . Anglicized pronunciation: , . (, ) is an oasis in Medina Province (Saudi Arabia), Medina Province, Saudi Arabia, situated some north of the city of Medina. Prior to ...
in what is now
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...
. The fortress was attacked by Muslim forces and defeated circa 629/30 CE.
It was after this event that
Muhammad
Muhammad (8 June 632 CE) was an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. Muhammad in Islam, According to Islam, he was a prophet who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm the tawhid, monotheistic teachings of A ...
married
Safiyya bint Huyayy
Safiyya bint Huyayy ( ) was a Jewish convert to Islam from the Banu Nadir tribe. After the Battle of Khaybar in 628, she was widowed and taken captive by the early Muslims and subsequently became Muhammad's tenth wife. Like all other wome ...
.
The Jewish presence in the region has been attested to the late seventh century who pioneered the cultivation in the area.
It has traditionally been identified with the remains of the ''Husn al-Qamus'' (Qamus Fortress) in the old Khaybar oasis, though there is no direct archaeological evidence for this.
See also
*
Battle of Khaybar
The Battle of Khaybar () was an armed confrontation between the early Muslims and the Jewish community of Khaybar in 628 CE. Khaybar, which is located approximately to the northwest of Medina, was home to a sizable community of Jewish tribe ...
*
Invasion of Banu Qurayza
The siege of Banu Qurayza, also known as the battle of Banu Qurayza, took place in Dhul Qa‘dah during January of 627 CE (5 AH) and followed on from the Battle of the Trench.
The Banu Qurayza, a Jewish tribe that once lived in Medina, ...
*
Jewish tribes of Arabia
The earliest attested presence of Jews in the Arabian Peninsula dates back to the early 6th century BCE, following the Siege of Jerusalem (587 BC), Babylonian conquest of Judah, which resulted in their expulsion from the Land of Israel. Over time ...
*
List of castles in Saudi Arabia
This is a list of castles in Saudi Arabia.
* Ajyad Fortress
* Al-Faqir Fort
* Al-Ukhaydir, Tabuk Province
* Dhat al-Hajj
* Kasbah
* Marid Castle
* Masmak fort
* Qal'at al-Mu'azzam
* Qal'at al-Qatif
* Qamus
* Qasr al-Farid
* Qasr Ibrahi ...
References
Forts in Saudi Arabia
Banu Qurayza
Jewish Saudi Arabian history
Quranic places
Castles in Saudi Arabia
{{SaudiArabia-hist-stub