Abu Musa Abd Allah ibn Qays al-Ash'ari (Arabic: أبو موسى عبد الله بن قيس الأشعري, romanized: Abū Mūsā ʿAbd Allāh ibn Qays al-Ashʿarī), better known as Abu Musa al-Ash'ari (Arabic: أبو موسى الأشعري, romanized: Abū Mūsā al-Ashʿarī) (died c. 662 or 672) was a companion of Muhammad and an important figure in early Islamic history.
[1] Two years later he was appointed as one of the governors over Yemen, where he remained until the caliphate of Abu Bakr, whom he joined in fighting the local leader of the ridda (lit.
Some scholars claim that the expedition took place in Nejd (a large area of tableland in the Arabian Peninsula) in Rabi‘ Ath-Thani or Jumada Al-Ula, 4 A.H (or beginning of 5AH).
[2][3] The most authentic opinion according to "Saifur Rahman al Mubarakpuri", however, is that Dhat Ar-Riqa's campaign took place after the fall of Khaibar (and not as part of the Invasion of Nejd).
The rules relating to the prayer of fear which Muhammad observed at Dhat Ar-Riqa's campaign, were revealed at the Asfan Invasion which scholars say, took place after Al-Khandaq (the Battle of the Trench).
[3] The appointments of Abu Musa to the governorates of Basra and Kufa were made during the caliphates of Umar and Uthman, but the exact dates and circumstances are not clear.
This policy continued during the Umayyad period and it resulted in the cultivation of large areas of barren lands through the construction of irrigation canals by the state and by individuals.
Abu Musa al-Ash'ari didn't show resentment about his replacement, instead he praised Abdullah Ibn Aamir as his worthy and adequate successor.
[6] There are many unresolved issues regarding the First Fitna (literally "trial") period of dissension and civil war, which split the Muslim community following the assassination of the Caliph Uthman.
[9] Despite Abu Musa's reputation as a soldier and politician, he was also praised for his beautiful recitation of the Qur'an, and he is associated with one of the early versions (mashahef), which was superseded by Uthman's recension.