”’Shaikh Sulaiman Al Nasrallah (1885-1939) (Arabic: سليمان بن منصور بن صقر بن عبدالله بن منيخر بن سلامة بن راشد بن حمد بن نصرالله)”’, was the [[Sheikh|Shaikh]] of Al Nasrallah clan that originate from the Zagareet tribe from the Abdah Section of Shammar.
”’Shaikh Sulaiman Al Nasrallah (1885-1939) (Arabic: سليمان بن منصور بن صقر بن عبدالله بن منيخر بن سلامة بن راشد بن حمد بن نصرالله)”’, was the [[Sheikh|Shaikh]] of Al Nasrallah clan that originate from the Zagareet tribe from the Abdah Section of Shammar.
[[File:Shaikh sulaiman alnasrallah.jpg|thumb|A photo of the late Shk. Sulaiman Al Nasrallah]]Shaikh Sulaiman was born and raised on the Nasrallah lands of the Albu Salih tribal territory that his clan settled in, a generation ago.
[[File:Shaikh sulaiman alnasrallah.jpg|thumb|A photo of the late Shk. Sulaiman Al Nasrallah]]Shaikh Sulaiman was born and raised on the Nasrallah lands of the Albu Salih tribal territory that his clan settled in, a generation .
His father Shaikh Mansur a wise, religious man stepped down as the chief, and gave the opportunity to his son to rise as the new chief during his lifetime. Shaikh Mansur then devoted the rest of his life to his religion, but was always consulted on serious matters concerning the clan.
His father Shaikh Mansur a wise, religious man stepped down as the chief, and gave the opportunity to his son to rise as the new chief during his lifetime. Shaikh Mansur then devoted the rest of his life to his religion, but was always consulted on serious matters concerning the clan.
Arabic tribe
The Albu Salih tribe (Arabic: آلبو صالح) is an original Arab tribe from Bani Malik of the Al-Muntafiq.
During the 19th century (mid 1800s), the Albu Salih transformed into a tribal confederation, a warfare alliance against foreign enemies. This alliance helped reduce the conflicts between neighboring clans that had different Arab tribal origins.
The Albu Salih grew in power, and under the leadership of Shaikh Badr Al Rumaiyadh, they had become the most influential tribe in the Bani Malik region of the Muntafiq Emirate. This resulted in Shaikh Bader being the paramount Shaikh of the Bani Malik region.
Previous way of life and Location
In the past, the tribe consisted of villagers, marshmen, and semi-nomads.
The villagers settled in villages, while the marshmen lived in the great marshes of the Albu Salih tribal territory, known as the district of Al’ Islah today(in Dhi Qar). The district was established by Shaikh Sulaiman bin Mansur Al Nasrallah in 1918.
As for the bedouin semi-nomads in the past, they would migrate south on their annual migration during autumn, camping and herding their livestock in the North Eastern parts of Arabia (Southern Iraq; Northern and Western Kuwaiti territories today).
They would usually migrate and cross the Wadi Batin , with other tribes such as “Shraifat”, “Juwarin”, “Al Aunan”, as well as other clans of the Bani Malik .
The Albu Salih semi-nomads would head back north to their tribal territory, by the end of the spring season.
By the late 1940s and early 1950s a majority of the Albu Salih nomads had left the nomadic lifestyle and settled. They had settled in countries, cities, and towns that were either part of, or close to the indigenous lands of the Muntafiq.
Members of this tribe today are located in Iraq, Kuwait, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
In Iraq, the Albu Salih are concentrated in Al Islah (Arabic: الأصلاح), in the province of Dhi Qar; they can also be found in Amarah, AlBasra (Safwan , Zubayr), and Al Diwaniyah.
Shaikh Sabah bin Fares bin Mohsen bin Bader Al Rumaiyadh is the current leader of the Albu Salih
Main Sections of Albu Salih
The Main Sections of the Albu Salih are:
- Al Rumaiyadh (آل رميض) – Bani Malik (بني مالك)
- Al Nasrallah (آل نصرالله) – Shammar (of Abdah section, Alzagareet) (شمّر من عبده الزقاريط)
- Al Khlawi (آل خليوي) – Bani A’ridh (بني عارض)
- Al Omar (آل عمر) – Rabe’a (ربيعة)
- Al Araytham (العريثم)
- Al Shamla (الشملة)
- Al Safafaa (الصفافعة)
- Al Tarayma ( الترايمة)
Battle of Shaiba
The Battle of Shaiba took place during the First World War in 1915, between the British Empire, and the Ottoman Empire at an area called Shaiba near Basrah. The Albu Salih tribesmen fought along side the Ottomans, and the Muntafiq, under the leadership of Shaikh Ujaimi al-Sadun (Emir of the Muntafiq) trying to retake back the city of Basrah from the British.
The reason behind why the Albu Salih fought in this battle, was due to the Fatwa of Jihad against the foreign British forces, that was released by religious scholars. Although it was well known during those times all the tribesman of Albu Salih, and their leaders had a long time rivalry, and hatred towards the Ottomans.
1920 Iraqi Revolution
Shaikh Bader Al Rumaiyadh
Shaikh Bader Al Rumaiyadh (1845-1943)(Arabic: بدر بن عجيل بن سلمان بن ثنيان بن شدود بن رميض), was the Shaikh of the Rumaiyadh clan from Bani Malik (hence Albu Salih originates from their ancestor’s name Salih).
Shaikh Bader Al Rumaiyadh also showed great courage and bravery during the British occupation of southern Iraq in the 1920s. He, along with other tribes, managed to lead his people in the resistance until they had pushed the British out of their tribal land. Sheikh Bader Al Rumaidh died in 1943, after when his son Sheikh Mohsin took over the leadership of Albu Salih tribe.
Bader Alrumaiyadh and Colonel H.R.P Dickson
Colonel H.R.P Dickson reports in “Kuwait and Her Neighbours (1956) “Of all Arabs I ever met, Badr ar Rumaiyadh was, I think, the strangest and most remarkable. I believe Captain Ditchburn and I were the first Englishmen ever to meet him, and I do not imagine that any of my countrymen ever saw him afterwards.”[1]
Hospitality
Shaikh Bader had a well known reputation for his hospitality among neighbouring tribes, tribes from other parts of Iraq, and the tribes of Arabia. Some use to compare his generosity to Hatim Al-Tai .
Shaikh Sulaiman Al Nasrallah
Shaikh Sulaiman Al Nasrallah (1885-1939) (Arabic: سليمان بن منصور بن صقر بن عبدالله بن منيخر بن سلامة بن راشد بن حمد بن نصرالله), was the Shaikh of Al Nasrallah clan that originate from the Zagareet tribe from the Abdah Section of Shammar.
Shaikh Sulaiman was born and raised on the Nasrallah lands of the Albu Salih tribal territory that his clan settled in, a generation before.
His father Shaikh Mansur a wise, religious man stepped down as the chief, and gave the opportunity to his son to rise as the new chief during his lifetime. Shaikh Mansur then devoted the rest of his life to his religion, but was always consulted on serious matters concerning the clan.
Shaikh Sulaiman was well known for his admiration to seek knowledge, and had a major pivotal role in bringing the Albu Salih into the 20th century. He established the district of Islah when Iraq became a mandate under the British Empire, and was its first leader in 1918. Shaikh Sulaiman established the first school in the Islah district in 1919, he motivated his tribesmen to learn, and seek knowledge.
Shaikh Sulaiman left his position soon after, he revolted against the British Government’s plans of deposing Shaikh Bader as the Chief of the Albu Salih, and replacing him.
References
- The Arab of the Desert: A Glimpse of the Badawin life in Kuwait and Sa’udi Arabia (1949) by H.R.P Dickson
- Kuwait and Her Neighbours: (1956) by H.R.P Dickson
- ‘The Muntafik. Al Sa’dun, Bani Malik, Ajwad, Bani Sa’id, Bani Huchaim’ (1917) – British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers
- https://alshabib.tripod.com/
- الكتاب: عشائر العراق
المؤلف: عباس محمد العزاوي (ت ١٣٩١هـ)
