Abu al-Rafi ibn Abu al-Huqayq

Abu al-Rafi ibn Abu al-Huqayq was a chieftain of the Jewish tribes of the Khaybar oasis. When Al-Huqayq approached neighbouring tribes to raise an army to attack Muslims,[1][2] they assassinated him, aided by an Arab who spoke a Jewish dialect.[3] His brothers the famous poets Al-Rabi ibn Abu al-Huqayq and Sallam ibn Abu al-Huqayq were also assassinated at Muhammad's orders.

He succeeded Huyayy ibn Akhtab who was killed in 627 CE alongside Banu Qurayza. He was succeeded by Usayr ibn Zarim.

The reasons for his murder were that he mocked Muhammad with his poetry and that he helped the Meccan troops with money and supplies.[4]

The account of his killing is mentioned in numerous hadith in the Sahih al-Bukhari.[5]


Notes

  1. ↑ Nomani (1979), vol. II, pg. 156
  2. ↑ Urwa, Fath al-Bari, Vol. VII, pg. 363
  3. ↑ Stillman, Norman (1979). The Jews of Arab Lands: A History and Source Book. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America. p. 17. ISBN 0-8276-0198-0.
  4. ↑ William Muir, The life of Mahomet and history of Islam to the era of the Hegira, Volume 4, p. 14
  5. ↑ Sahih al-Bukhari, 4:52:264 Sahih al-Bukhari, 5:59:370, Sahih al-Bukhari, 5:59:371 Sahih al-Bukhari, 5:59:372