The chief settlement of al-Yamama in the tenth century (al-Hamdani), in the Wadi Hanifa, where the later Riyadh stands.
It declined after the Ukhaydirid emirs moved their seat to al-Kharj (ninth century), through droughts and feuds with its neighbours Manfuha and al-Dir'iyya. After the Ukhaydirids (still ruling in 1051, Nasir Khusraw) the Banu Kilab took the country (Madelung). In 1332 Ibn Battuta found Hajr fertile, with running water and trees, its people mostly Banu Hanifa under an emir, Tufayl ibn Ghanim.
Its master in 1200 is not recorded.
Who holds it
- Title
- Headmen of the Banu Hanifa
- Since
- not pinned
- Born
- not pinned
- Family
- Banu Hanifa (by Ibn Battuta's time, 1332)
- Confidence
- low
Ibn Battuta (1332) names the ruler of Hajr, Tufayl ibn Ghanim, and says most people are Banu Hanifa; nothing is recorded for 1200.
Lord in 1200
Not known: the Banu Hanifa townsmen under their own headmen, with Bedouin overlords (the Banu Kilab after the Ukhaydirids, Madelung) and Uyunid claims
How things stand that morning
A Banu Hanifa oasis town; ruler not known.
Council
Not recorded.
Communities
Banu Hanifa and other settled Arabs.
Fairs and markets
Not recorded.
Walls and castle
Not described for 1200.
Trade and crafts
Dates and grain on wells and floodwater; caravans to al-Hasa and the pilgrim road.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Nothing dated near 1200; the picture is drawn from al-Hamdani (tenth century) and Ibn Battuta (1332).
Sources and studies
- Hajr (English Wikipedia, citing Ibn Battuta via Majallat al-Faisal 2004, and Firro 2018)
- Al-Yamama (English Wikipedia, citing al-Hamdani and Nasir Khusraw via Smith 2002)
- Ukhaidhirids (English Wikipedia, citing Madelung, 'al-Ukhaydir', EI2 X, 792)
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.