Dhu'l-Kala', king of Himyar

Dhu al-Kala, a king of Himyar, whose story appears in al-Mas'udi's "Meadows of Gold" when he came to Abu Bakr. ²

He came with a thousand slaves, besides those of his own clan who were with him, wearing the crown, robes and striped cloaks. When he saw that Abu Bakr wore a plain wrap and a cloak, he took off his own garments and dressed as he did. ²

One day he was seen in a market in Medina with the skin of a sheep on his shoulders. His people were alarmed and said that he had shamed them before the Emigrants and the Helpers. He answered that he did not wish to be a tyrant in the age of ignorance and a tyrant in Islam, and that obedience is only given through humility and renunciation of the world. ²

It is said that he was killed at Siffin with Hashim ibn Utba al-Mirqal (may God be pleased with him), and his standard-bearer was a man from Udhra. ³

The data does not establish the date of his visit, and there is no other source to confirm it; an additional source is needed.