Al-ʿArabu ʾl-Bāʾidah: The Lost Tribes of Ancient Arabs
Etymology and Translations
Arabic: العرب البائدة (Al-ʿArabu ʾl-Bāʾidah)
Turkish: Kayıp Araplar
Introduction
Al-ʿArabu ʾl-Bāʾidah refers to the lost tribes of ancient Arabia, whose stories are preserved in Islamic tradition. These tribes are considered as extinct and have a significant presence in the Quran and Hadith literature. Their stories blend history, mythology, and divine retribution, serving as lessons for the believers.
Prominent Tribes
The most famous of these extinct tribes include ʿĀd, S̤amūd, Jadīs, and T̤asm, all traditionally traced back to Shem, a son of Noah.
Tribe of ʿĀd
The tribe of ʿĀd, led by their forefather ʿĀd, settled in the Great Desert of al-Aḥqāf. Their most famous leader, Shaddād, was known for his grandiose city of Iram, adorned with gold, silver, and precious stones, likened to a celestial paradise (Quran 89:6). This legendary city was never reached by Shaddād due to divine retribution.
Symbolism
The story is a lesson in the arrogance and hubris punished by divine justice. It highlights the transient nature of human achievements against divine will.
Tribe of Thamūd
The Thamūd settled initially in Arabia Felix but later moved to al-Ḥijr on the confines of Syria. According to the Quran, they resided in rock-cut buildings and caves and were of gigantic stature. The prophet Ṣāliḥ was sent to guide them, but their disbelief led to their destruction by a thunderous calamity.
Symbolism
The Thamūd’s story warns against idolatry and ignoring prophetic warnings, emphasizing the consequences of defying divine commands.
Tribe of Jadīs and T̤asm
These tribes settled between Makkah and al-Madīnah and lived together under a single government. Their history is mostly obscure but they are noted for a legendary massacre precipitated by their sovereign’s oppression.
Symbolism
Their story is often used to symbolize the justice meted out against tyranny and despotism.
Quranic References
- ʿĀd and Iram: Quran, Sūrah 89:6
- Prophet Hūd and the ʿĀdites: Quran, Sūrah 7:63, Sūrah 11:53
- Prophet Ṣāliḥ and the Thamūd: Quran, Sūrah 7:71, Sūrah 11:64
Scholarly Interpretations
Scholars like at̤-T̤abarī and others have attempted to merge these divine narratives with historical and geographical contexts. Southy’s “Thalaba” provides a poetic exploration of these tales.
Tradition and Myth
The stories of these lost tribes serve multiple functions in Islamic tradition:
- Moral Lessons: The narratives emphasize moral and spiritual lessons concerning faith in God and the consequences of hubris and idolatry.
- Historical Identity: These stories provide a cultural and historical identity to early Islamic communities, connecting them to an ancient past.
Suggested Readings
- “The History of al-Tabari” by al-Tabari
- “Thalaba the Destroyer” by Robert Southey
- “The Qur’an” – Abdullah Yusuf Ali translation and commentary
- “Conference of the Birds” by Farid ud-Din Attar
Takeaways and Conclusion
Al-ʿArabu ʾl-Bāʾidah serves as a compelling chapter in the lore of early Arabian history, intertwining divine intervention, morality tales, and myth. The stories of the lost tribes are embedded within the structural fabric of Islamic teachings, reflecting the transient nature of worldly power and the eternal significant of faith and righteousness.
By understanding these accounts, one can gain deeper insight into the human-ethical paradigms that have shaped Islamic thought over centuries, illustrating age-old lessons that remain relevant in contemporary discourse.
