Samaw'al ibn 'Adiya

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as-Samaw’al (Shmuel) bin ‘Ādiyā’ or Samuel ibn 'Adiya (Arabic: السموأل بن عادياء) was an Arabian Jewish poet and warrior, in the first half of the 6th century.

His mother was of the royal tribe of Ghassan, while his father, according to some, was descended from Aaron, or according to others, from Kahin, son of Harun and progenitor of the Jewish tribes of Quraiz‘a^* and Banu Nadir^*. Samuel owned a castle near Taima (eight hours north of Medina), built by his grandfather 'Adiya and called, from its mixed color, al-Ablaq. It was situated on a high hill and was a halting-place for travelers to and from Syria.

More than for his poetic talents Samaw'al is famous for his connection with the warrior-poet and prince Amru al-Qais, which won for him the epithet "faithful," and gave rise to the Arabic saying "more faithful than Samuel." This came about in the following manner: Amru al-Qais, being abandoned by his followers in his fight with the Banu Asad to avenge the death of his father, and being pursued by Manzur ibn Ma'assama, wandered about from tribe to tribe seeking protection as well as support in his endeavor to regain his inheritance. When he came to the Banu Fazarah their chief advised him to seek out the Jew Samaw'al ibn 'Adiya' in his castle al-Ablaq, saying that although he had seen the emperor of the Greeks and visited the Lakhmid kingdom of Hira, he had never found a place better fitted for assuring safety to those in need, nor known a more faithful protector than its owner. Amru al-Qais, who was accompanied by his daughter Hind, and his cousin, and had with him five suits of chainmail besides other weapons, immediately set out for the castle, and on the way he and his guide composed a poem in praise of their prospective host. Samaw'al received the poet hospitably, erected a tent of skins for Hind, and received the men into his own hall. After they had been there "as long as God willed," Amru al-Qais, wishing to secure the assistance of the emperor Justinian I, asked Samaw'al to give him a letter to the Ghassanid prince Harith ibn Abi Shamir, who might further him on his way. The poet then departed, leaving Hind, his cousin, and his armor in Samaw'al's keeping, and he never came to reclaim them. According to Arabian tradition, while on his homeward journey from Constantinople, he was poisoned by order of Justinian, who had listened to treacherous accusations against him.

After Amru al-Qais had left Al-Ablaq, Prince Manzur—it is not known whether before or after Amru's death—sent Harith to Samuel ordering him to deliver up the articles deposited with him. Samuel refusing to do so, Harith laid siege to the castle. The besiegers met with no success until one day Harith captured Samuel's son, who, according to the story in the "Kitab al-Aghani," was returning from the chase. Harith then called upon the father to choose between giving up the property and witnessing his son's death. Samuel answered that his son had brothers, but that his honor once lost could not be recovered. Harith at once struck off the boy's head before the unhappy father's eyes and then withdrew, perceiving that he could accomplish nothing in the face of such stead-fastness. There are a few verses handed down by different Arabian writers in which Samaw'al ibn 'Adiya refers to this deed.

A description of the castle al-Ablaq is given by the poet A'sha (Yaqut, i. 96), who confuses it with Solomon's Temple. It is related of this poet that, being captured together with other Arabs, he was taken as a prisoner to the castle at Taima, at that time belonging to Samuel's son Shuraih ibn Samaw'al, without his captor's knowing that he was in the company. Waiting until Shuraih was within hearing, A'sha began to recite a poem extolling the deed of his father, and calling on the son to emulate his example by rescuing him (A'sha). Shuraih procured the poet's release, and allowed him to depart, first presenting him with a swift camel. Shuraih himself, his brother Jarid, and Samuel's grandson Sa'ba were all poets.

[edit] Sources

Jacobs, Joseph et al. "Samuel bin 'Adiya." Jewish Encyclopedia. Funk and Wagnalls, 1901-1906, citing:

Caussin de Perceval, Essai sur l'Histoire des Arabes Avant l'Islamisme, ii. 319 et seq., Paris, 1847;
Franz Delitzsch, Jüdisch-Arabische Poesien aus Vormuhammedischer Zeit, Leipsic, 1874;
Grätz, Gesch. 3d ed., v. 83-86;
Ḥamasa, ed. Freytag, pp. 49 et seq.;
Kitab al-Aghani, Index;
Nöldeke, Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Poesie der Alten Araber, pp. 57-72, Hanover, 1864;
Rasmusen, Additamenta ad Historiam Arabum (from Ibn Nubata), p. 14;
R. E. J. vii. 176;
Baron MacGuckin de Slane, Diwan des Amru'l Kais, Introduction.J. M. W. M.