Kumait Ibn Zaid Biography | Poet

al-Kumayt ibn Zayd al-Asadi (679/680-743 AD) was an Arabian poet from Kufa that used the language of the Bedouins to write poems in praise of the Umayyads, as well as 'Ali and his family. [ citation needed ] He was a schoolteacher at a local mosque until he was encouraged to write poetry instead. He wrote several series of poems including: his Mudhahhaba, his Malhama, and, arguably his most famous series, the Hashimayyat or Hashirrnyyst. al-Kumayt was imprisoned by the caliph for his writings and escaped through the help of his wife. He later received a pardon from the caliph and was allowed to return to Kufa. While going to recite a poem, al-Kumayt was attacked by his Yemeni guards and killed. It is believed that the Hashimayyat and it’s supposedly pro-‘Alid poetry led to his assassination. [ citation needed ] While much of his poetry is controversial, it is generally not disputed that he wrote well of both the 'Alids and the Umayyads. [ citation needed ]