al-ʿAlāʾ ibn Abī al-ʿAlāʾ
Al-Ala ibn Abd Allah ibn Imad al-Hadrami was an early Muslim commander and governor of Bahrayn during the time of the Prophet Muhammad and the first two caliphs. He is noted for his military campaigns and administrative roles in eastern Arabia.
Al-Ala belonged to the South Arabian tribe of Sadif and was a client of the Banu Umayya clan of the Quraysh tribe. He was among the early converts to Islam before the conquest of Mecca. Appointed by the Prophet Muhammad, he collected taxes in Bahrayn and later served as its governor under Caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar. He suppressed rebellions during the Ridda Wars and led naval expeditions against the Sasanian Empire, though one ended disastrously leading to his dismissal. He was later appointed governor of Basra but died en route to assume the position, with his death dated either 635–636 or 641–642 CE.
Significance
- sahih muslim: 0
He serves as a key link in hadith chains between the tabiʿīn and the following generation.