Quran Universe

Tubba, King of Himyar

In the Quran

In the QuranKing of Himyar

Tubbaتبع

Traditional date, disputedZafar, Yemen

A king of Yemen whose people were destroyed, though the Prophet ﷺ is reported to have forbidden cursing Tubba himself.

The Quran twice names 'the people of Tubba' among the nations destroyed for denying their messengers. Tubba was the title of the kings of Himyar. Many commentators say this Tubba, often named As'ad Abu Karib, came to Madinah, turned to the faith of the rabbis there, and honoured the Kaaba by covering it.

What does the Quran say?

Are they better or the people of Tubba' and those before them? We destroyed them, [for] indeed, they were criminals.

Quran 44:37

50:14

The lesson

A ruler can believe while his people do not, and each will answer for himself.

Where do they appear in the story?

Who else is linked?

ZafarHimyar (Yemen)People of Tubba

Who lived at the same time?

Theodosius ITheodosius IIQusayy ibn Kilab

Source: tafsir

Everyone and everything in the timeline

People named in the Quran and the hadith, the Prophet's ﷺ family and Companions, scholars, rulers, the nations of the Quran, the world's empires and the places where it all happened. Where scholars differ, each entry says so.

People of the Quran