Sahban Wa'il

Sahban ibn Zafar ibn Iyas ibn Wa'il (سحبان بن زفر بن إياس بن وائل) (died; 674) was an Arabic literary figure and an exceptional orator. He is sometimes mentioned as a standard of expressive skill in the combination of eloquence and literary style.

Life and historical context He belonged to the Bahila tribe (a branch of the Arab tribal confederations). The surname "Wa'il" is used as the name of a tribal ancestor (his "great-grandfather" in the genealogical tradition).

He is considered one of the Mukh'zaramin - that is, he lived during the Jahiliyyah (age of ignorance) and later converted to Islam, although sources indicate that he did not meet the Prophet Muhammad. And is said to have traveled (or been present) in the Levant (Syria) during the reign of Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan.

Death Wa'il is said to have died in 54 AH (≈ 674 CE) during the Umayyad Caliphate.