The Ghaṭafān (Arabic: غطفان) were an Arab tribal confederation originally based northeast of Medina. The main branches of the Ghatafan were the tribes of Banu Abs, Banu Dhubyan and Ashja'. They were one of the Arab tribes that interacted with Muhammad. They are notable for allying themselves with the Quraysh in the Battle of the Trench.[1]
| Banu Ghaṭafān بنو غطفان | |
|---|---|
| Qaysite Arab tribe | |
| Nisba | Al-Ghatafani |
| Location | Ancient Arabia |
| Descended from | Ghaṭafān ibn Sa'd ibn Qays |
| Parent tribe | Qays |
| Branches | |
| Religion | Polytheism (pre-630) Islam (post 630) |
The Ghatafan were a Bedouin tribal grouping that inhabited the Wadi al-Rumma area of Najd between the Hejaz mountains and Jabal Shammar.[2] According to Arab genealogical tradition, the progenitor of the tribe was Ghaṭafān ibn Saʾd ibn Qays ʿAylān, making it a part of the larger Qays tribe.[2] The etymology or meaning of Ghatafan is not known.[3]
The main branches of the Ghatafan were the following:
They were involved in several military conflicts with Muhammad. The first was the Invasion of Dhi Amr[4] occurred directly after the Invasion of Sawiq in the year 3 A.H of the Islamic calendar, September 624.[5][6] The expedition was ordered by Muhammad after he received intelligence that the Banu Muharib and Banu Talabah tribes, were planning to raid the outskirts of Medina. Therefore, Muhammad launched a preemptive strike with 450 men.[7]
Another conflict they were involved in was the Expedition of Dhat al-Riqa where Muhammad ordered an attack on the tribe because he received news that they were assembling at Dhat al-Riqa with a suspicious purpose.[8]
This was followed by the Invasion of Dumatul Jandal. Muhammad ordered his men to invade Duma, because Muhammad received intelligence that some tribes there were involved in highway robbery and preparing to attack Medina itself[9] This happened in July 626.[10]
Then Expedition of Abu Qatadah ibn Rab'i al-Ansari (Khadirah) in November[11] or Dec 629[12] the Expedition of Abu Qatadah ibn Rab'i al-Ansari (Khadirah) took place. With the goal of attacking the Ghatafan tribe because he heard that they were amassing troops and were still outside the "domain of Islam"[13]