'Abd-Kulal

Abd-Kulāl al-Ḥimyarī , or simply Abdkulāl or Abd-kalal, was a governor of Himyar who lived in the 5th century CE. He was a convert to Nontrinitarianism, but kept his religious beliefs confidential. 'Abd-Kulal also held the power of regent rule temporarily during his time in office.

Name The historians attested his name as 'Abd-Kulāl ibn Muthāwwīb al-Ḥimyarī. The first part of his name is sometimes romanized as 'Abdkulāl or 'Abd-kalal. However, he has also been attributed to being from the tribe of Dhū Rūayn. Ibn Hisham narrates that he was named 'Abd-Kulal ibn Yanuf.

Reign After the death of Sharhabil Ya'fur, the royal power was unstable as all the Himyarite princes were too young to rule except for Sharhabil Yakkuf who was suffering from mental issues. 'Abd-Kulal took the royal power out of fear that it would be usurped by outsiders of non-royal lineage.

'Abd-Kulal also built a residence for himself and his wife around the year 463 CE, which is attested in archaeological inscriptions dating to approximately that year. Muslim historians like al-Tabari and Jawad Ali stated that 'Abd-Kulal was a convert to a form of non-trinitarian Christianity.