A rare dirham by Aḥmad ibn Hilāl from Oman, dated 312 AH, and its contribution to re-dating the late rule of Banū Sāma (280-312 AH/893-924 AD)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67278/sjas.v1i1.51Keywords:
Dirham, Aḥmad ibn Hilāl, Oman, Banū Sāma, Ḥamriyah (Sharjah)Abstract
The Banū Sāma trace their lineage to Sāma ibn Luʾayy ibn Ghālib of Quraysh and settled in the region of Tuʾām, where they established a notable political and economic presence in Oman after the advent of Islam. Their political significance became especially prominent during the Abbasid period, when they were employed by the Abbasids in their conflict with the Ibāḍī state. This resulted in the establishment of an Abbasid-aligned regime in Oman from the arrival of Muḥammad ibn Nūr in 280 AH, marked by the proclamation of the khuṭba and the minting of coins in the name of the Abbasid caliphs.
Aḥmad ibn Hilāl is considered the most prominent ruler of the Banū Sāma, governing Ṣuḥār and maintaining its influence and relative autonomy despite major challenges, particularly the Qarmaṭian incursions in the early fourth century AH. This study relies primarily on Islamic coinage as a direct historical source, as the surviving evidence consists mainly of silver dirhams bearing the names of Aḥmad ibn Hilāl and the Abbasid caliph al-Muqtadir bi-llāh. These coins, minted in Oman between 299 and 312 AH, display a standardized typology including the shahāda, rulers’ names, Qur’anic inscriptions, and mint data.
The study highlights a dirham discovered in al-Ḥamriyah (Sharjah), dated 312 AH, which supports the continuation of Aḥmad ibn Hilāl’s rule beyond the previously suggested date of 310 AH. Numismatic evidence also records the name ʿAbd al-Ḥalīm ibn Ibrāhīm on coins dated 313 AH, suggesting a need to reassess the political succession prior to the rise of the Banū Wajīh in 314 AH.
The study concludes that Islamic coinage is a highly reliable historical source that helps correct traditional narratives and reconstruct the political chronology of Oman, confirming that Banū Sāma rule under Aḥmad ibn Hilāl continued until 312 AH.
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