‘Muawiya Dam’ in Taif and 6 sentences written on its walls

There are 70 dams in Taif that date back to ancient times, including the Muawiya Dam. 

Saudi Press Agency published a report claiming that 20 of the 70 ancient dams of Taif, including the Muawiya Dam, still exist. These ancients were built by different civilizations at different times.

Some of these dams are equipped with a foundation stone that is engraved on the rocks.

This engraved writing not only reveals the date the dam was constructed but also reveals who built it. 

Muawiya Dam

Muawiya Dam lies only 12km southeast of Taif and is also known as the ‘Saiysad Dam,’ which dates back to 58 AH or 678 AD.

It was built in the Saiysad Valley, in the middle of the mountains. The dam collected water that fell through the mountains after rain.

The dam’s foundation rock is still present and readable. It rests on a mountain on which the dam’s front was built.

According to the engraved information, Abdullah bin Sakhr built the dam during the reign of Muawiyah bin Abi-Sufyan, an Umayyad Caliph.

The dam was built in the 58th Hijri year. The engraved words are written in Arabic Magazi handwriting. The entire text is engraved without any dots. The text is as long as six lines. The English translations of these six lines are:

• 1^st Line: The dam belongs of Muawiya, who worships God
• 2^nd Line: He is a Caliph of Muslim, and the dam was built by Abdullah bin Sakhr
• 3^rd Line: it was built in the year 58, only by the Grace of God
• 4^th Line: may Allah forgive his worshipper, Muawiya
• 5^th Line: May Allah forgive his sins, help him and provide benefit
• 6^th Line: to the ones who believe through him. Amr ibn Habib writes this.
• Muawiya Dam location.