Al-Harith ibn Surayj

Quick Facts: Who was Al-Harith ibn Surayj?

Subject:

Al-Harith ibn Surayj

Known for:

Arab rebel leader in Khurasan whose revolt challenged Umayyad authority.

Born:

601

Died:

746

Century / Era:

601s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Abu Hatim al-Harith ibn Surayj ibn Yazid (Arabic: أبو حاتم الحارث بن سريج بن يزيد, romanized: Abū Ḥātim al-Ḥārith ibn Surayj ibn Yazīd) was an Arab leader of a large-scale social rebellion against the Umayyad Caliphate in Khurasan and Transoxiana. Harith's rebellion began in 734 and represented the grievances of both the local Arab settlers as well as the native Iranian converts (mawali), who were not recognized as equal to the Arab Muslims, against the Umayyad regime. Harith based his revolt on religious grounds and won over a large part of both the Arab settlers and the native population, but failed twice to capture the provincial capital of Marw. The rebellion was finally suppressed by Asad ibn Abdallah al-Qasri in 736. Along with a few supporters, Harith escaped capture and allied himself with the heathen Türgesh.

Career & Major Achievements

Harith accompanied the Türgesh qaghan Suluk in his invasion deep into Arab-held territory, which was decisively beaten back in the Battle of Kharistan in 737. With Türgesh power collapsing thereafter, Harith remained in Transoxiana supported by the native princes. Asad's successor, Nasr ibn Sayyar, campaigned against Harith and his native supporters, but eventually, hoping to use him to bolster his position in the Arab inter-tribal rivalries, Nasr secured for Harith a pardon from the Caliph. Harith returned to Marw in 745. Soon however he raised a sizeable armed force and challenged Nasr's authority, until he was killed in a clash with his ally Juday al-Kirmani in 746.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

His revolt weakened Arab power in Central Asia and facilitated the beginning of the Abbasid Revolution that would overthrow the Umayyads. Harith was from the Tamim tribe belonging to the north Arab (Mudari) tribal supergroup, and hailed from Basra, where his father, Surayj, lived. He is first mentioned in 729, when he distinguished himself for his bravery and self-sacrifice against the Türgesh, saving the Arab army from annihilation at Baykand near Bukhara. Harith is next mentioned in 733, when he led a protest in Lower Tokharistan against the commandeering of supplies from the province, already plagued by drought and famine, to feed the capital of Khurasan at Marw, by the governor Junayd ibn Abd al-Rahman al-Murri. Junayd had Harith flogged, but after Junayd died in early 734, the discontent erupted into an open rebellion, with Harith at its head.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 601: Birth of Al-Harith ibn Surayj — Arab rebel leader in Khurasan whose revolt challenged Umayyad authority.
2. 746: Passing & Historical Legacy — Al-Harith ibn Surayj passed away on 746, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Al-Harith ibn Surayj

True or False: “Harith ibn Surayj's rebellion was solely motivated by tribal disputes among the Arab settlers in Khurasan.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While tribal disaffection played a role, his movement was fundamentally rooted in religious grievances demanding justice according to the 'Book and the Sunnah'.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Mu'awiya I — Contemporary figure (Born in 603) (603): Founder and first Caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, ruling from 661 to 680.
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• Emperor Taizong of Tang — Contemporary figure (Born in 598) (598): Co-founder of the Tang Dynasty, whose reign marked a golden age in Chinese history.
• Emperor Wen of Sui — Contemporary figure (Died in 604) (604): Founder of the Sui Dynasty, who reunified China and initiated the Grand Canal.
• 601 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 601
• 746 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 746

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