Mosaylima

Mosaylima (Moseilema), a rival of Mohammed, belonging to a division of the tribe of the Beni Hanifah. He seems to have had some position as a religious teacher before, in the ninth year of the Hegira, he came to confer with the prophet. He afterwards demanded that the latter should share half the earth with him ; and Mohammed appears to have been obliged to purchase his support by conceding some authority to him. He is also said to have nominated him as successor; but, if so, his followers did not fulfil his wishes, for Abu Bekr sent a force against Mosaylima, and a terrible battle ensued, in which the latter fell.