Al-Kumayt_ibn_Zayd_al-Asadi
al-Kumayt ibn Zayd al-Asadi
Islamic poet whose poems praise Mohammed and his family
al-Kumayt ibn Zayd al-Asadi (Arabic: الكميت بن زيد الأسدي) (679/680 – 743 CE) was an Arabian poet from Kufa who used the language of the Bedouins to write poems in praise of Muhammad, as well as 'Ali and his family.[citation needed] His Hashimiyyat, was in praise of Ahl al-Bayt and considered as one of ancient evidence of doctrine of Imamat.[1] He was a schoolteacher at a local mosque until he was encouraged to write poetry instead. He wrote several series of poems including: his Mudhahhaba, his Malhama, and, arguably his most famous series, the Hāshimīyyāt. al-Kumayt was imprisoned by the caliph for his writings and escaped through the help of his wife.[2] He later received a pardon from the caliph and was allowed to return to Kufa. While going to recite a poem, al-Kumayt was attacked by his Yemeni guards and killed.
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His poems, the Hāshimīyyāt, have been edited by J. Horovitz (Leiden, 1904). An account of him is contained in the Kitab ul-Aghani, xv.113-130.[2]