'History of the imâms and seyyids of 'Omân by Salîl-ibn-Razîk, from A.D. 661-1856; translated from the original Arabic, and edited with notes, appendices, and an introduction, continuing the history down to 1870, by George Percy Badger, F.R.G.S., late chaplain in the Presidency of Bombay.' [‎105] (266/612)

the imams of 'oman.
105
SEIF-BIN-SULTAN [II.]
[restored; under a regent.]
to wliom all the forts of ^Oraan were surrendered, and all
the tribes and towns did him homage. He wielded supreme
authority for two months all but three days, when it pleased
God that what was predestined by Him should take place,
and that the people of 'Oman should undergo the conse
quences of their fickleness and love of change.
It having been settled that Belarab-bin-Nasir should be
regent for Seif-bin-Sultan, the chiefs of the tribes and
towns came to congratulate them. Now, Belarab-bin-Nasir
had let fall certain threats against some of the ti'ibes, espe
cially against the Benu-Ghafir 1 and the people of Behla. So
when Muhammad-bin-Nasir-bin-'Amir-bin-Ramthah, el-
Ghafiry, el ; Uttaby, esh-Shakily, el-Ghafiry, came with a
party of his followers, Belarab-bin-Nasir uttered some
menaces against him, in consequence of which Muhammad-
bin-Nasir left in anger, and forthwith began writing to urge
Yaarub-bin-Behlrab and the people of Behla to revolt
against Belarab, going himself to the Bedu of ezh-Zhafrah,
the Benu-Naim and the Benu-Kutb, 2 and others, on the
same errand. Belarab on the other hand summoned the
1 The name of this tribe occurs here for the first time ; thenceforward
they exercised considerable influence in the affairs of 'Oman, and do so
still. In fact, by a figure of speech, the two principal parties into
which the population is said to be divided are styled el-Ghafiry and el-
Hin&y or Hinawy, anglicd, Hinavi. The Benu-Glulfir, as already stated
in the Introduction, are of Ma'addic origin, and their allies are mostly
of the same stock, whereas the el Ilinay are descended from Kahtan
(Joktan). The former are chiefly confined to the northern districts, and
their ordinary confederates, mostly settlers from Nejd, occupy the south
ern shores of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
2 The Benu-Na'im inhabit el-Bereimy and the neighbouring district;
the Benu-Kutb that between the coast and el-Bereimy. The former
are said to be able to muster 20,000 and the latter 8,000 fighting men.
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