Qurra Ibn Sharīk Ibn Marthad Al-Absi Al-Ghaṭafānī

Place: Not Mentioned

Biography:

Qurra ibn Sharik ibn Marthad al-Absi al-Ghaṭafānī was a statesman of the Umayyad Caliphate, most notable for his governorship of Egypt under Caliph al-Walid I between 709 and his death in 715. He was the son of Sharik ibn Marthad ibn al-Harith ibn Hubaysh of the Bighad branch of the Banu Abs tribe, which was part of the larger Qaysi group resident in northern Syria and Upper Mesopotamia from the early Muslim conquests of the 630s. He served as governor of his native province, Jund Qinnasrin (northern Syria) or possibly Armenia during the last years of Caliph Abd al-Malik (r. 685–705). He later became the katib (secretary or scribe) of Caliph al-Walid I (r. 705–715). His administrative experience, coupled with the tribal origins he shared with the mother of al-Walid I, likely propelled his career during that caliph's rule. He died in service in 715.