Judham

Early Islamic period

Under the early Islamic military administration of Syria, the Judham became the largest tribe in Jund Filastin (the military district of Palestine). In the First Muslim Civil War, the Judham fought in the army of Syria's governor, Mu'awiya I, against the Iraq-based forces of Caliph Ali (r. 656–661). At the Battle of Siffin in 657, they formed the following contingents: the Judham of Palestine led by Rawh ibn Zinba, the Judham and Lakhm under Natil ibn Qays, and the Judham infantry led by Maslama ibn Mukhallad al-Ansari. Natil belonged to the Judham's preeminent clan, the Sa'd ibn Malik, and was referred to in the sources as sayyid Judhām bi-l-Shām (leader of the Judham of Syria). Rawh was younger than Natil and hailed from the Sa'd ibn Malik's brother clan, the Wa'il ibn Malik. The Sa'd traditionally provided the chiefs of at least a large part of the Judham and there are no indications in the sources of a rivalry between the Sa'd and Wa'il clans during the pre-Islamic period. Rivalries for leadership of the tribe between Natil and Rawh developed during the caliphate of Mu'awiya I (661–680).