About Abu 'Afak
Abu 'Afak was a poet.
Abu 'Afak (Arabic: أبو عفك, died c. 624) was a Jewish poet who allegedly lived in the Hijaz region (today Saudi Arabia). After Muhammad moved to the city of Al-Madina and started to preach Islam, Abu 'Afak did not convert to Islam and was vocal about his opposition to Muhammad. He became a significant political enemy of Muhammad and was subsequently assassinated by a follower of Muhammad.
As an elderly man, Abu 'Afak Arwan wrote a politically charged poem against Muhammad and his followers that is preserved in the Sira. Muhammad then allegedly called for Abu 'Afak's death, and Salim ibn Umayr killed him. The affair was recorded by Ibn Ishaq in "Sirat Rasul Allah" (The Life of the Prophet of God), the oldest biography of Muhammad.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Abu 'Afak?
poet
When did Abu 'Afak die?
Abu 'Afak died in 624.
What was Abu 'Afak's occupation?
Abu 'Afak was a poet.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Abu 'Afak. https://biography.guide/abu-afak/
MLA: "Abu 'Afak." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/abu-afak/.
Chicago: "Abu 'Afak." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/abu-afak/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:09 UTC