the second day of al-Kullāb — the eight thousand of Madhḥij broken by Tamīm

The Second Day of al-Kullab was one of the greatest days of Tamim. After their fighting men had been killed at al-Mushaqqar, the people of Najran from the Banu al-Harith ibn Ka'b of Madhhij marched against them with their allies Nahd and Juram, eight thousand strong. It was one of the largest gatherings of the pre-Islamic age. The Tamim disobeyed their soothsayer Salama ibn al-Mughaffal, who had warned them, and consulted Aktham ibn Sayfi, who was then one hundred and ninety years old. He declined leadership, and advised that Hanzala ibn Malik camp at al-Dahna, and that Sa'd ibn Zayd Manat and al-Rabab camp at al-Kilab. He charged them to keep the women away from the battle lines, to reduce disputes with their commanders, and to avoid shouting in battle. They met the enemy at al-Kilab. Madhhij was routed and its chief, Abd Yaghuth ibn al-Harith, was taken prisoner. They tied his tongue so that he could not satirise them. He recited his well-known poem, then was killed, and no ransom was accepted for him. ¹