Bani Assad

The Bani Assad or Banu Asad (Arabic for "sons of the lion") is an Arab tribe in Iraq. Today, many members of the tribe live in major Iraqi cities of Najaf, Nasiriyah, Karbala and Basra as well in Khuzestan in Ahwaz or Arabistan in Iran (Arabs of Persia) and they live with neighboring tribes of Banu Tamim, Banu Malik, and Banu Kaab. The people of Banu Asad are descended to Asad Bin Khuzaimah bin Mudrika bin Mudar bin Ilyas bin Adnan which makes them Adnanite Arabs or Northern Arabs.

History

Banu Asad are originally from Najd they were and still one of the largest and most famous Arab tribes.

Banu Asad are decended to Asad Bin Khuzaimah bin Mudrika bin Ilyas bin Mudar bin Nizar bin Ma'ad bin Adnan bin Add bin Humaisi' bin Salman bin Aws bin Buz bin Qamwal bin 'Awwam bin Nashid bin Haza bin Shlidas bin Yadlaf bin Tabikh bin Jahim bin Nahish bin Makhi bin Aid bin 'Abqar bin 'Ubaid bin Ad Da'a bin Hamdan bin Sanbir bin Yathrabi bin Yahzin bin Yalhan bin Ar'awi bin Aid bin Deshan bin Aisar bin Afnad bin Aiham bin Muksar bin Nahith bin Zarih bin Sami bin Wazzi bin 'Adwa bin Aram bin Haidir bin Ismael bin Abraham bin Azar bin Nahur bin Saru' bin Ra'u bin Falikh bin Abir bin Shalikh bin Afakhshad bin Sam bin Noah bin Lamik bin Matulshalkh bin Idris bin Yarid bin Mahla'il bin Qinan bin Anwas bin Sheth bin Adam

Banu Asad has been complimented by Prophet Muhammad as well as Banu Tamim and few Arab tribes. Prophet Muhammad lived with Banu Asad for 6-7 years in his childhood. Prophet Muhammad also had wives from Banu Asad. Haleema suckled Prophet Muhammad for two years and she is also from Banu Asad. Banu Asad and Banu Tamim spread and developed the Arabic language since the 1st or the 2nd century.

In the 6th century a royal chief of the Kindah tribe named Hojr was killed by the Banu Asad. A contemporary of Imru' al-Qais, the illustrious Arabian Mu'allaqat poet 'Abid ibn al-Abras belonged to the Banu Asad and was fond of vaunting Hojr's murder.

Taleaha bin Khuwalid was a well known adventurer and chief of the Bani Asad. He was also a renowned poet who commanded respect in Arabia during the pre-Islamic era.

Religion

Banu Asad embraced Islam in the 7th century during Prophet Muhammad's Life. After moving to Kufa in Iraq, they sided with Imam Ali and also side with Imam Husayn bin Ali in the Battle of Karbala and since that time they have been known for being one of the first Arab tribes to be Shia Muslims along. The entire Banu Asad tribe are Shia Twelver Muslims or Jafariyah, with small Sunni minorities in Yemen.

Migration to Iraq

Banu Asad migrated to Mesopotamia now called Iraq in the 7th century and settled in Kufa. They have settled near the banks of the Euphrates river near Kufa and Karbala and also settled in Basra and in Ahwar, shared land with Banu Tamim. Banu Asad sided with Imam Ali in the Battle of the Camel. Many companions of Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali are from Banu Asad. The Banu Asad Tribe sided with the son of Imam Ali, Husayn in the Battle of Karbala took place on Muharram 10, 61 AH (October 9 or 10, 680 CE) [1] [2] in Karbala, in present day Iraq. Many martyrs from the Banu Asad clan died with Imam Husayn in the Battle of Karbala.

Mazaydid State of the Bani Asad

In 998 Ali ibn Mazyad, leader of the Banu Asad tribe established a virtually independent Mazyadid state in the Kufa area of Iraq. Backed by a powerful tribal army, the Mazyadids enjoyed great influence in the area for a century and a half. They acquired titles and subsidies from the Buyids in return for military services. Their most lasting achievement was the founding of Hilla one of the main cities in Iraq, which became their capital in 1012. The originator of the Al Mazeedi name was a scholar, hadith narrator and chemist called Mazyed bin Mikhled al Sadaqa. Imad al-Isfahani commented about the rulers of the Mazyadid State, saying:

"They were Arabs, belonging to Bani Mazyid from the Powerful Banu Asad Tribe. They established themselves with the strength of their swords on the banks of Euphrates. They were the refuge of those who were in need of it, the shelter for the expectants, the helpers of those who sought help and supporters of the weak. People with expectation were attracted towards them and scholars found money with them. What they did in spending on good purpose is too well known and talks of their generosity too common. Sadaqa shook with pride when he listened to poetry and set aside for the poet a special part of his generosity. He made them free from poverty. He accepted them in his audience. He was all ears to listen to the requests of people and very generous in giving them what they needed".

Members of Al-Mazeedi family from the Banu Asad Clan outside of Iraq

Mansour Moosa Al-Mazeedi played an important role in developing a Kuwaiti constitution issued on January 29, 1963 as part of Al Majles Al Ta'sesy or Founding Parliament. [3]

The Al Mazeedi family are Shia in Iraq, dramatically increasing the influence of Shiite minorities in Arabia. and there are also Al Mazeedi Shia family in Kuwait. However there are small Sunni population in Kuwait and other areas. Recently it was discovered that some Al-Mazeedi family members migrated to Yemen a few hundred years ago and settled in the region of Hadhramaut where there are still Sunni families who belong to the original Mazeedi's of Iraq. Their tribal name is Al-Mazyad or Banu Asad, their surnames or their family names is Al-Asadi, or Al-Mazeedi.

Martyres from the Banu Asad Clan in the Battle of Karbala

Uns Bin Hars Asadi, Habib ibn Muzahir Asadi(Commander of the left flank)Muslim Bin Ausaja Asadi, Qais Bin Masher Asadi, Abu Samama Umru Bin Abdullah, oreer Hamdani, Hanala Bin Asad, Abis Shakri, Abdul Rehman Rahbi, Saif Bin Hars, Amer Bin Abdullah Hamdani.

Burying the martyred bodies

On the 13th of Muharram, three days after the massacre, members of the Banu Asad Tribe in Karbala had the honor of burying the bodies of Imam Husayn, his family and the companions. Banu Asad tribe is widley respected by other Shia Arab tribes. Ali bin Husayn the 4th Shia Imam helped the Banu Asad tribe to bury the martyred bodies and helped them to identify the bodies of Imam Husayn and the Ahlul Bayt and the companions.

Population

Currently, very large numbers of the Banu Asad clan live in Iraq in Najaf, Nasiriyah, Karbala and Basra. there are also members in Khuzestan in Ahwaz or Arabistan in Iran (Arabs of Persia). The total population of the Banu Asad is most likely to be 1 million - 1.5 million in Iraq only or probably 1.5 - 2 million with the total population in Iraq and Ahwaz of Khuzestan in Iran. This is likely to be inaccurate figures it could be less or more. there are also significant population of Banu Asad in Yemen in Hadhramaut.

Leading personalities

Uns Bin Hars Asadi, Habib ibn Muzahir Asadi, Muslim Bin Ausaja Asadi, Qais Bin Masher Asadi, Abu Samama Umru Bin Abdullah, oreer Hamdani, Hanala Bin Asad, Abis Shakri, Abdul Rehman Rahbi, Saif Bin Hars, Amir Houshang Noshiravan, Amer Bin Abdullah Hamdani, Ali bin Mezyid.

References

* Wiesenhöfer, Josef. "Ancient Persia". pages 231 to 235. ISBN 964-311-130-X.
* [http://www.jafariyanews.com/2k6_news/feb/15baniassad_aza.htm Bani Assad in Ashura] .