Qays, also spelled Qais or Kais, were an Arabian tribe branched from the Mudhar Adnani
The main branches of the Qays tribes are the Banu Sulaym, Hawazin and the Banu Ghatafan. These three main groups remained in the Eastern Hejaz until the 7th century of the Christian calendar. They first fought the Ansari and Qurayshi Muslims, but converted to Islam after their defeat in the Battle of Hunayn. The Qays branched into more subgroups during the Umayyad Caliphate.
The rivalry between the Qays and the Banu Kalb, which was extended to the "North Arab" (Qays-led) versus "South Arab" or "Yemeni" (Kalb-led) tribal supergroups, became firmly established after the Battle of Marj Rahit (684).
Battles between the Azdi Muslim Ansar and the Qays, then pagan tribes of Arabia continued until the 18th century of the Christian calendar in battles fought between them regardless of religious affiliations in Tunisia, Sicily, Syria, Lebanon and Spain.
In the pre-Islamic times, Qays tribes were known to be a notorious threat to caravans passing Nejd or Hijaz. The Quraysh paid them an annual third of its date harvest to help eliminate the Muslims in Yathrib.
After the Battle of Badr, the Banu Saleem were preparing to raid Yathrib. Muslims departing Badr after their victory there, sacked al-Qudr Oasis and took 500 camels as booty.
The Qays tribes were the second major contributor in manpower to the Battle of Ahzab behind the Quraysh.
After the Jews' betrayal of the Muslims in the Battle of the Ahzab, the Jews of Khaybar sensed the rising threat of the Muslims and established a joint defense agreement with the tribe of Ghatafan.
The Muslims marched against the Jewish Fortress, so the Jews called upon their allies to come aid them against the Muslims. Approximately 4,000 Ghatafani fighters marched towards Khaybar. However, the Banu Ghatafan experienced a paranormal experience, according to Islamic tradition. The Ghatafan tribes feared that their families were threatened and returned home to find their families surprised to see them.
Alternative names include:
'Abd al-Qays
Kais
Qais
Qays
