'Annals of 'Omān' [‎79] (96/112)

Notes to Book Second.
79
3 i (p 9.) El-Mustatir meaning " the wary." The descendants of this el-Julanda,
who was an Azdite^ appeal- to have assumed the name Benu-Julanda, It is said that
each one who became king in 'Oman, took the name of Julanda.
[ Vide Imams and Seyyids of 'Oman, p. V].
s 2 (p. 9.) The commencement of the Sassanian dynasty was A. D. 220; it
terminated with the Mohammedan conquest.
3 3 (p. 9.) This Book serves as an introduction to the subsequent narrative.
The author must have been at considerable pains to collect his materials judging from the
paucity of books now in 'Oman. The more ancient Arab historical works are chiefly
accounts of famous tribes or families, and the genealogies of important personages are very
minutely traced. The science of genealogy was highly elaborate. There were ten recog
nized gradations of communities, from the "people" as a whole down to the "family" of
less than ten persons. The terms used to describe those various classes are analogous to our
words, "race," " nation," " tribe," " clan," " kin," " family." But the shades of gradation
are more minutely given in Arabic than English can describe. The term " Kabileh,"
answering to our " tribe" or " clan" was fourth in the Arab classification. In modern
times Arabs have ceased to preserve their pedigrees, and in 'Oman the people know little
of their origin.
Summarized, the events related in this book are as follows. Yemenite Arabs chiefly
Azdite arrive in 'Oman and drive out the Persians, who were previously in posses
sion of the whole province. Thenceforward, for a considerable time, the Azdites were
sole masters and their chiefs ruled supreme. Later, however, the Persians regained a
footing, and at the time of the introduction of Mohammedanism, a Persian deputy was
residing in 'Oman, and was subsequently expelled by the Azdite tribes under the
descendants of el-Julanda.
'Oman and Bahrain were included in the conquests of the Persian Monarch Khosru
Parwiz at the end of the 6th century.
Notes to Book II.
1 (p. 9.) Book or Chapter 33 of the " Keshf ul-Ghummeh."
2 (p. 9.) The subjugation of 'Oman by the Persians in the time of the Julandaites
appears to have been only temporary or partial, as at the commencement of the
Mohammedan Era the Julandaites 'Abd and Jeifar were undoubtedly in power. When
the remnant of the Persians were expelled, ' Oman did not, however, become an independent
kingdom. Its princes embraced the religion of Islam in the time of Mohammed, whose
paramount authority they acknowledged. Thenceforward until about 751 A. D., 'Oman
was nominally under the KhaUfehs and immediately controlled by the governors of 'Irak.
Before the success of Mohammed in 'Oman it is mentioned that one Abu-Basir-bin
Asid or 'Otba had retired to the coast of 'Oman [sif el-bahr], and collected round him
there those who in Mekka had embraced the new Faith, but they were unable to maintain
themselves, and their numbers gradually decreased to 62 or 70. ^ [Nawawi.]
8 (p. 9 ) Daba. There is a small town now named Dibba, north of Sohar. There
appears to have been also a place named Daba between Bahrain and 'Oman, where el-
Atik-bin el-Asd settled after the emigration from Mareb. Hence the family called Azd-
Daba. [Wiistenfeld, Index.]
4 (p. 10.) Abu -Bekr succeeded Mohammed, and was Khali'feh from A. D. 632 to
634. On his accession rebellions occurred in several provinces, 'Oman amongst the number.
An expedition was despatched to 'Oman and Yemen under 'Ikrimah-bin Abu-Jahl, who