# Qamus

- **Country:** Saudi Arabia
- **Coordinates:** 25.730589, 39.268095
- **Location Text:** [http://www.bharatvani.org/books/tcqp/chi4.htm]

Qamus, also known as Husn al-Qamus, was a historic fortress located near the Khaybar oasis in what is now modern-day Saudi Arabia. In traditional Islamic historiography, it served as a primary stronghold for the poet al-Rabi ibn Abu al-Huqayq and his tribe, the Banu Nadir, who were Jewish inhabitants of the region. While specific construction dates are not recorded in available sources, the site holds significant historical importance due to its role during the early Islamic period. The fortress is famously associated with the military campaigns of the Prophet Muhammad, specifically the attack by Muslim forces that resulted in its defeat around 629 or 630 CE. This conflict marked a turning point in the region's history and directly preceded Muhammad's marriage to Safiyya bint Huyayy, a notable figure from the defeated tribe.

The architectural style and original physical structure of Qamus remain largely undefined due to a lack of direct archaeological evidence. Although tradition identifies the current ruins in the old Khaybar oasis as the remains of this famous fortress, scholars note that this connection has not been scientifically verified through excavation. Despite the scarcity of physical data, the site is recognized for the agricultural contributions of the Jewish communities who pioneered cultivation in the area until the late seventh century. Today, the location is categorized historically as a fort within Saudi Arabia, serving as a reminder of the complex religious and military interactions that shaped the Arabian Peninsula during the seventh century. Its legacy persists primarily through historical texts rather than standing architecture.

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qamus (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)