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San`a'

Location:

San`a' is the capital of the modern republic of Yemen. It lies on the latitude 23.15 North and the latitude 44.12 East. The name of the city was derived from the word “sana`a” that means “strength”, “protection” and “fortification” in the old Yemeni language.

History:

San`a’s history started in the reign of Hulk `Amir bin Karib (King of Saba’ and Dhi-Raian), who lived in the first century A.D. Later in 530 A.D., Abrahah tried to destroy the Holy K`abah after the fall of the Jewish king Dhi-Nuwas, who persecuted the Christian people. When Abrahah defeated his rival Ariat, he built a Christian cathedral called Al-Qullais.

The people of Yemen were among the pioneers who believed in the Prophet (peace be upon him) and supported him. Following the Islamic conquest, the people of Yemen made praiseworthy efforts in disseminating the Islamic call outside the Arabian Peninsula.

Historical Events:

After the Prophet’s death, San`a' was exposed to a great sedition; that might have resulted in its separation from the Islamic state. But the Islamic caliphate managed to maintain it and restored its peace and security. Some of the inhabitants of San`a' joined the Muslim army under `Amr bin Al-`As and settled in Syria and other different Islamic countries.

San`a' Exposed to Foreign Attacks:

San`a' was exposed to foreign attacks from the crusaders, the Mongols, the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. But the forces led by Salah Al-Din in the sixth century A.H., and later the Mamalik forces managed to encounter the crusader and Mongol attacks. They reached the entrance of the red sea to protect the city.

Yemen under the Ottomans and the Egyptians:

Yemen pledged allegiance to the Ottoman state during the reign of Sultan Silim I, then to the Egyptian rule under Muhammad `Ali Basha.

International Disputes over Yemen:

The European countries and the Ottomans state disputed over Yemen. Eden was occupied by the British forces in the nineteenth century A.D. As a result; the Yemeni people suffered occupation and was a stage for many revolutions. Early in the twentieth century A.D. Yemen joined the United Nations. In mid nineteenth century Yemen joined the Arab League. In1962, monarchy was abolished in Yemen and it became a republic.

Outstanding Personalities:

A group of scientists, jurists, men of letters and poets lived in Yemen. Among them was `Ubaidullah bin Shuraih, who wrote historical stories that were so good that Mu`awiah bin Abi Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) asked him to join his court. Another one was the well-known scholar Wahb bin Munabbih, who died in San`a' and was well-versed in Qur’anic sciences. There were many scientists who were born in San`a', such as Al-Hasan bin Ahmad Al-Hamadhani, `Alqama bin Dhi Jidin, Waddah Al-Yaman and `Abdul-Khaliq bin Abi Al-Talh Al-Shihabi, and others.