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                Chapter Four
                probably became the enthusiastic and truly Muslim leaders of the
                Omani revolt against the unpopular Sassanian suzerainty, because
                the latter’s governor in Oman had repeatedly refused to adopt Islam.
                The rising against the Sassanians was morally supported by the
                Prophet’s messenger 'Amru, who had stayed in Oman as a mission­
                ary and teacher of the new faith. The revolt was successful in expel­  I
                ling the entire occupation force in the middle of the 7th century au.
                  According lo Fiey the conversion of al Bahrayn to Islam began
                between ad 627 and 629, when the Christian Ruler of the area,
                Mundir bin Sawa, became a Muslim al the written request of the
                Prophet. Allegedly he did it largely lo remain in power, and he took it
                upon himself to collect the taxes due from his Christian subjects,
                who had become ahl al kiLab, “People of the Book’’. The conquest of al
                Bahrayn for the expanding empire centred on Medina was completed
                in 633 ad, although the continued existence of the taxed Christian
                communities indicates that nol all the population had yet adopted
                Islam.
                  When, after the death of the Prophet Muhammad, the new empire
                threatened to disintegrate due to regional dissent, in Oman too an
                Azdite Shaikh Dhul Taj Lakil bin Malik became the leader of an
                insurrection against the Muslim Julanda’ princes and their tribal
                supporters. However, the Caliph Abu Bakr dispatched three of his
                generals with their armies to Oman. “After a long and weary desert
                march from Bahrain and Yemama Itheyl reached Towwam (Buraimi,
                or Al-Riyam, as Tabari has it), from whence they sent orders lo the
                Julanda chiefs, 'Abd and Jeifar, to meet them at Sohar, under the
                walls of which fortress the combined Moslem army was soon
                assembled."9 They marched on Dibah, where the rebellious tribes
                had taken up their position, attacked them and fought throughout
                the day, but were victorious only after an opportune reinforcement
                arrived:   . . some of the Beni 'Abdul Kais and Beni Najia tribe
                forming part of the Khalif’s army, which had apparently been
                delayed on the march across the Dahna and Sabkheh from Bah­
                rain.  " 10  According to some historians nearly 10,000 people lost their
                lives in the battle of Dibah. The thriving market town and port was
                sacked and one-fifth of the booty and prisoners were despatched to
               Medina with one of the Caliph’s generals, while another proceeded to
               bring to heel Dhufar and Hadhramaut, and the third, Hudaifah,
               stayed in Oman to help to consolidate the regime of the Muslim
               Julanda’ princes and to make the Omanis more aware of the meaning
               of the new faith.

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