Editing History of Bahrain (section)

==Usfurid, and Jabrid dynasties==

[[File:Bellin - Karte von der Küste von Arabien c.1745 (crop).png|thumb|upright=1.25|The [[Bahrain (historical region)|historical region of Bahrain]] on a 1745 [[Jacques-Nicolas Bellin|Bellin]] map]]
In 1253, the [[Bahrani]] dynasty of the [[Usfurids]] of Banu Uqayl – named after its founder, Usfur ibn Rashid – gained control over eastern [[Arabia]], including the islands of Bahrain.  The late Middle Ages were a time of chronic instability with local disputes allowing various Persian-based Arab Kingdoms based in Qais, Qishm and Hormuz to involve themselves in Bahrain's affairs.<ref name="Larsen pg 66">{{cite book|last=Larsen|first=Curtis E.|title=Life and Land Use on the Bahrain Islands: The Geoarchaeology of an Ancient Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q65mRSPPU6UC|year=1983|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=978-0-226-46906-5|page=66}}</ref> In 1330, the islands became tributary to the rulers of [[Hormuz Island|Hormuz]].<ref>Rentz, G. "al- Baḥrayn." ''Encyclopaedia of Islam''. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2008. Brill Online. 15 March 2008 [http://www.brillonline.nl/subscriber/entry?entry=islam_COM-0089]{{Dead link|date=September 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

According to historian [[Juan Cole]] it was under Sunni rule that [[Twelver|Twelver Shiaism]] became established in Bahrain, as Shia Bahrainis gradually moved away from the radical, egalitarian Ismaili Qarmatian sect to the more quietist Twelver or Imami branch, a process which the Sunni rulers encouraged.<ref>Juan Cole, ''Sacred Space and Holy War'', IB Tauris, 2007 pp32</ref> But even in the 14th century, the North African traveller [[Ibn Battuta]] visiting Qatif around 1331, found it inhabited by Arabs whom he described as "extremist Shi'is" (rafidiyya [[ghulat]]), which Cole presumes is how a 14th-century Sunni would describe Ismailis. Ibn Battuta also noted the great wealth of the area thanks to the pearling industry.<ref>''Ibn Battuta'', Rih1a Ibn Battuta Beirut: Dar Sadir, 1964 pp. 279–80.</ref>

Until the late [[Middle Ages]], "Bahrain" referred to the larger [[Bahrain (historical region)|historical region of Bahrain]].  Ibn Battuta's 14th-century account contains an early use of the term "Bahrain" to refer solely to the Awal islands.  However, the exact date at which the term "Bahrain" began to refer solely to the Awal archipelago is unknown.<ref name="Rentz, G. al- Baḥrayn">Rentz, G. "al- Baḥrayn".</ref>

In the mid-15th century, another branch of the Banu Uqayl, led by Zamil ibn Jabir, wrested control of Bahrain, founding the dynasty of the Bedouin [[Jabrids]]. Based in [[Al-Bahrain (historical region)|al-Ahsa]], the Jabrids ruled most of eastern Arabia and followed the [[Sunni]] [[Maliki]] rite, which they actively promoted within their domain.<ref name="Rentz, G. al- Baḥrayn"/><ref>Rentz, G. "DJABRIDS". ''Encyclopaedia of Islam''. Edited by: P. Bearman ، Th. Bianquis ، C.E. Bosworth ، E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. [http://www.brillonline.nl/subscriber/entry?entry=islam_SIM-8483]{{Dead link|date=August 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>