A Paleo-Arabic inscription on a boulder near an abandoned mosque in Saudi Arabia may have been carved by Ḥanẓalah bin Abī ʿĀmir, a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, according to a new study. While numerous inscriptions from the early days of Islam exist, their authorship remains uncertain. This discovery, however, represents only the second confirmed inscription linked to a specific companion of Muhammad, following a previous inscription in Saudi Arabia’s al-Bahah region. The inscription, analyzed in the April issue of the journal, is significant because it predates Islam’s dominance in Arabia, offering a unique window into the pre-Islamic Hijaz and the religious context of the Quran’s audience.
The inscription was brought to the attention of the study’s authors by Yusef Bilin, a Turkish calligrapher who observed it on a boulder near an ancient mosque in Taif, believed to have been constructed by Alī b. Abī Ṭālib, the fourth Caliph of Islam. The inscription, written in Paleo-Arabic script, identifies the authors as Ḥanẓalah, son of ʿAbd-ʿAmr-w and Abd al-ʿUzzē, son of Sufyān. The text translates to “In your name, our Lord, I am Ḥanẓalah [son of] ʿAbd-ʿAmr-w, I urge (you) to be pious towards God” and “In your name, our Lord, I am ʿAbd al-ʿUzzē son of Sufyān, I urge (you) to be pious towards God.”
Researchers discovered that the combination of these names is exceptionally rare, with only one known individual named Ḥanẓalah, whose father was ʿAbd-ʿAmr, fitting the criteria. This individual, a member of the Aws tribe based in Yathrib (modern-day Medina), is prominent as a companion of Muhammad in early Islamic literature. The use of Paleo-Arabic script places the inscription in the late sixth or early seventh century, aligning with the timeline of Hanzalah, who died in the battle of Uhud in A.D. 625. The name ʿAbd al-ʿUzzē, referencing the Arabian pagan goddess al-Uzza, suggests that the inscribers were not yet followers of Muhammad, or at least not at the time of the inscription.
Based on these observations, researchers conclude that the Ḥanẓalah mentioned in the inscription is likely the same companion of Muhammad. They believe he etched these words while traveling through Taif, potentially with someone named ʿAbd al-ʿUzzē, before embracing Islam. The study’s co-author, Dr. , executive director of the International Quranic Studies Association, stated that it is highly improbable that the inscription was created after Muhammad’s ministry, given the hostility towards him in Taif. He also emphasized the authenticity of the inscription, citing the patina and weathering patterns as evidence against modern forgery.
While the inscription’s authenticity is widely accepted, Professor , a professor of Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Cambridge, expressed cautious optimism regarding the identification of Ḥanẓalah, suggesting that more inscriptions satisfying the same dating criteria are needed for confirmation. Nevertheless, the inscription remains a significant discovery, offering valuable insights into the early days of Islam and the pre-Islamic Hijaz. It provides a tangible link to a period shrouded in mystery, allowing researchers to reconstruct a more evidence-based history of this crucial chapter in Islamic history.
