Attab ibn Asid

ʿAttāb ibn Asīd ibn Abī al-ʿĀs ibn Umayya ibn ʿAbd Shams was a member of the Banu Umayya (Umayyad) clan who, at a young age, was appointed governor of Mecca in the wake of its conquest by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 629/30. He had converted to Islam after Mecca was conquered by the Muslims. Due to its sanctity for the Muslims, the governorship of Mecca was a coveted post and Attab was appointed over several other more experienced potential candidates from the Quraysh tribe, which dominated the city. He continued in the post through the caliphate of Abu Bakr until 634, according to 8th/9th-century historian al-Waqidi, or until 642 during the rule of Caliph Umar, according to the 9th-century historian al-Tabari. Attab was married to Juwayriya, a daughter of Abu Jahl, one of the early principal leaders of Qurayshite opposition to Muhammad. According to al-Waqidi, Attab died in 634, while al-Tabari held that he died in 644. His son Abd al-Rahman was a prominent soldier in Aisha’s army who was slain by Malik al-Ashtar in the Battle of the Camel in 656.