Dhu al-Khalasa (the 'Ka'ba of Yemen')

ذو الخلصة (الكعبة اليمانية)

A pagan sanctuary venerated by Khath'am, Bajila and the neighbouring tribes of Tihama, who made pilgrimage to it; it was called the 'Ka'ba of Yemen' or the 'Ka'ba of the north' in contrast to the house of Mecca. In the Sahih the Prophet ﷺ asked Jarir ibn 'Abdallah al-Bajali 'will you not relieve me of Dhu al-Khalasa?' — he rode out with a hundred and fifty horsemen of Ahmas, broke it and killed those he found there, and the Prophet prayed for them and for Ahmas ¹.

Overview

Dhu al-Khalasa was a house of idols, venerated by Khath'am and Bajila and the people of Tihama close to them, who went on pilgrimage to it. It was called the "Yemeni Ka'ba" and the "Syrian Ka'ba", to distinguish it from the house in Mecca. ¹

Its destruction

The Sahih reports that the Prophet said to Jarir ibn Abd Allah al-Bajali: "Will you not relieve me of Dhu al-Khalasa?" So he set out with a hundred and fifty horsemen from Ahmas, broke it, and killed whoever was found with it. The Prophet prayed for them and for Ahmas. ¹

What is not covered here

The data dates the event to about 10 AH, an estimate that needs an additional source.

Bajila's Quarter of the Sawad and Its Return

In al-Baladhuri via Qays ibn Abi Hazim: Bajila were a quarter of the people at al-Qadisiyya, and Umar had granted them a quarter of the Sawad; when Jarir came on delegation Umar said 'were I not an accountable divider I would have kept you on your grant, but the people have grown many — return it to them,' and they did, Umar awarding Jarir eighty dinars — or, it is said, four hundred. A Bajila woman called Umm Kurzan said 'my father died and his share is fixed in the Sawad — I will not submit'; Jarir told her 'your people have agreed,' and she answered 'I will not submit unless you mount me on a docile she-camel with a red saddle-cloth and fill my hands with gold' — which was done. Via Jarir: Umar gave Bajila the Sawad's quarter and they took it three years. Via al-Waqidi from Juzayr ibn Yazid ibn Jarir from his father from his grandfather: Umar had made for him and his people a quarter of what they conquered of the Sawad; when Jalula's spoils piled up Jarir claimed his quarter, Sa'd wrote informing Umar, and Umar wrote back: if Jarir and his people wish to have fought only for a wage like the mu'allafa qulubuhum, give them their wage — but if they fought for God and reckoned on what is with Him, then they are of the Muslims, for them what is for them and on them what is on them. Jarir said: 'the Commander of the Faithful spoke truth and kept faith — we have no need of the quarter.'

Dhu al-Khalasa (the 'Ka'ba of Yemen')

At a glance

Overview

Its destruction

What is not covered here

Connections

People and things also explored

Sources

Objects

Bajila's Quarter of the Sawad and Its Return