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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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