Antara ibn Shaddad was a poet and knight from Najd . 
He was dubbed Antara al-Falha, a nickname derived from falh (cutting) because of a cut in his lower lip . 
Being the son of an Abyssinian slave, he was black . 
Therefore, his father enslaved him following the Arabs' habit of enslaving the sons of black slaves . 
The quarters of his tribe were raided, so his father called him to join the battle, but he replied, "A slave does not know how to fight!" "Charge," his father retorted, "and you are free . 
" So, he fought bravely and gained his freedom for his bravery . 
He took part in all battles of Dahis and Al-Ghabra Wars . 
He loved his cousin, Abla, very much, and referred to her much in his poetry . 
His poetry is characterized by its tender and gentle tone, and noble meanings . 
He described the battles and sang the good qualities of knights . 
He died in c . 
22 BH/600 AD .