Secret from Tribe of Najjar : How This Tribe Forgotten at Islamic History?

 

Source: wysinfo.com.

We will discuss about Tribe of Najjar,  one Tribe at Medina who became donaturs from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s shahabas,  such as  Asad ibn Zurara, Abu Ayyub al Anshary and Zayd ibn Thabit. And, also exist one story that one Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s ancestor, Salma bint Amr, originated from this tribe. Please read this article until end, because we will discuss about one important tribe that maybe this origin forgotten at Islamic History. And, it is tribe originated from Jewish descedants?.  And, support our blog that focuss at Islamic History and Civilization s Education with subscribe, like, and share our articles.

One first historical note about Tribe of Najjar, appear at Charter of Medina when Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam moved to Medina at  622 AD, he make covenant with several tribes at Medina, that named by Charter of Medina. This charter, included name from Tribe of Najjar, as one Jewish Tribe at Medina. Story about Tribe of Najjar, at Early Islamic History, also recorded by Imam Dhahabi. According Imam Dhahabi,  Abd Mutthalib, Propeth Muhammad s grandfather, is descedant from Tribe of Najjar from motherline.

When Propeth Muhammad moved to Medina with his shahabas, leader from Tribe of Najjar, is Abu Umama Asad ibn Zurara. He die at this time because sick. Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam, at one Hadith that quoted by Imam Dhahabi, praise Tribe of Najjar:

“Best village from Anshar ( Native of Medina who became Propeth Muhammad s  follower) is Village from Tribe of Najjar.”

Several theory , tell that Tribe of Najjar who became ancestor of Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam is Jewish Tribe at Medina.  And, several source, tell that Tribe of Najjar who became Propeth Muhammad s ancestor originated from South Arabia who migrated to Medina. Eric ibn Kisam, one researcher from The Yeshiva Institute, identified that Tribe of Najjar that became Propeth Muhammad s ancestor same with Jewish Tribe of Najjar that mentioned at Charter of Medina. Eric ibn Kisam, said that Tribe of Najjar is Yemen Jewishs who migrated at Medina.

Martin Lings, explained that Medina, at old time , is Jewishs Colony at Arabia. And, at Medina, also exist Arabians that split into two tribe, Aws and Khazraj. One Tribe from Khazraj , is Tribe of Najjar. Hashim, one Propeth Muhammad s ancestor, married Salma bint Amr, who originated from Tribe of Najjar. If follow Martin Lings s explain, Tribe of Najjar is part from South Arabians who migrated at Medina. And, this question, why Tribe of Najjar categoryzed as one Jewish Tribe at Medina?. It is became one question.

Theory from Eric ibn Kisam, can tested by seeing old stories about Tribe of Najjar according Islamic Historical s tradition. At Islamic History, example, exist story that one shahaba from Tribe of Najjar, Zayd ibn Thabit, who get command from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam for learn about Hebrew Language , main language and script  for Jewishs because Propeth Muhammad need communicated with Jewishs People at Medina. Zayd, can mastered Hebrew at short time, until he became Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam s translatter. If  it is true that Tribe of Najjar is one Jewish Tribe at Medina, it is became explained how Zayd mastered Hebrew Language at short time.  And, need more research to search about history and legacy from this controvertial tribe at Early Islamic History.

Refrences:

Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.

Lings, Martin: Rasulullah Muhammad: Kisah Hidup Nabi Berdasarkan Sumber Klasik, Penerbit Serambi, 2012 M.

Imam ad-Dzahabi: Siyar Alam an-Nubala Jilid 1: Pembahasan Sejarah Nabi ( Kelahiran Rasulullah Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam-Perang Khandaq), Tahqiq oleh Syuaib al Arnauth & Team, Pustaka Azzam, 2017.

Basya, DR,.Abdurrahman Rafat: Sirah Sahabat: Kisah Indah dan Sejarah Gemilang Generasi Terbaik Umat Ini, Pustaka Al-Haura, 2012 M.

Ibn Kisam, Eric: Sejarah Yang Terlupakan Part 5 | The Yeshiva Institute, accesed 17 August 2025, 09: 21 AM.

Hadi, Nurfitri: Zaid Bin Tsabit Sang Penerjemah Rasulullah - Cerita kisah cinta penggugah jiwa, accesed 17 August 2025, 09: 21 AM.