*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 8*
When Hulail died and Sūfa did what they used to do, Qusayy came to them with some members of Quraish and Kināna and said to Sūfa: "We are more competent for the custody of the Ka'abah than you." They disagreed and fought each other. But Qusayy defeated them. Thereupon Khuzā'a sided with Banu Bakr against Qusayy, which made him take the initiative for fight. They confronted each other and fought a fierce battle in which both the two parties sustained casualties and losses . Then they called upon each other to make a peace agreement. They chose Ya'amur Ibn 'Awf, a leader of Banu Bakr, as an arbitrator between them. He ruled that:
1. Qusayy was more competent for the custody of the Ka'abah and ruling Mecca than Khuzā'a.
2. Qusayy was not bound to pay blood money to the families of the killed men of Khuzā'a.
3. Khuzā'a and Banu Bakr were to pay blood money for people they killed.
4. Qusayy was to be given absolute freedom to take responsibility for the Ka'abah. On that day, Ya'amur was called 'Ashad-Dākh' or the Smasher.
It is worth mentioning that Khuzā'a took charge of the Ka'abah for three centuries. Qusayy took control over Mecca and the Ka'abah in the mid 5th century A.D. Thereby Qusayy then Quraish had absolute control over Mecca. And Qusayy became the religious head of the Ka'abah to which Arabs came from all over the Arabian peninsula. Qusayy collected his people, led them to Mecca and made each four members of his people live in a house. He also provided the members of Quraish with dwellings. More to the point, he endorsed the offices of An-Nasa, Al-Safwān, 'Adwān and Murrah Ibn 'Awf used to hold. Because he viewed that as an obligation he should fulfill.
Among the achievements of Qusayy was that he set up Dārun-Nadwā (the House of conference) in the northern part of the Ka'abah and made its gate beside the Masjid. It functioned as the meeting place of Quraish where they used to discuss their affairs. Among the advantages of this house was that Quraish managed to unify their stances and settle their differences peacefully.
Here are the privileges of leadership and prestige of Qusayy:
1. The chairmanship of Dārun-Nadwā (the House of conference). In this house they used to consult each other about the serious issues. They also used to contract marriage in it.
2. Al-Liwāa (bearing the flag): Whenever they went to war with any people, the flag was carried and raised either by him or one of his children in the House of Conference.
3. Supreme command: It means leading caravans. Any caravan that got out of Mecca was under the command of Qusayy or his children.
4. Al-Hijābah: Means holding the office of being a janitor of the Ka'abah. None but Qusayy was allowed to open the gate of Ka'abah. He also used to supervise the custody and service of the Ka'abah.
5. Siqāyatul-hajj (providing pilgrimage with water): Meccans used to basins with water for pilgrimage and sweeten them with dried dates and raisins to drink when they come to Mecca.
6. Rifādatul- hajj means foods made for pilgrims as a kind of entertainment. Qusayy levied some taxes on Quraish to pay them to him during the season of hajj. By these taxes foods were made for the poor pilgrims.
Qusayy held all these important positions. His son 'Abdu Manāf attained a high statue during his life. 'Abdud-Dār was his elder son. Qusayy said to him: "I do want to make you join your people even if they hold more honourable positions." He bequeathed to him the offices of the House of Conference, Al-Liwāa, Supreme command, Al-Hijābah and Siqāyatul-hajj. No one could disagree with Qusayy about any decision he made. Even after his demise, his children used to follow the same manner as to carrying out the different matters. When 'Abdu Manāf died, his children vied with the children of their uncle 'Abdud-Dār for these positions. Thereupon Quraish divided into two parties and fight was due to begin but they called for conciliation and consequently distributed such offices among themselves. Thus Banu 'Abdu Manāf held the positions of Siqāyah, Rifādah and supreme command. While Banu 'Abdud-Dār were in charge of the House of Conference,Al-Liwāa and Al-Hijābah. Also it was said that they both took charge of the House of Conference.
Afterwards, Banu 'Abdu Manāf resorted to casting lots to apportion these positions among them. Accordingly, Hāshim held the positions of Siqāyah and Rifādah whereas 'Abdu Shams had the supreme command. It was Hāshim who was in charge of Siqāyah and Rifādah all his life. When he died, his brother Al-Mutallib Ibn 'Abdu Manāf succeeded him in this responsibility. Then charge shifted to 'Abdul-Mutallib Ibn Hāshim Ibn 'Abdu Manāf, the prophet's paternal grandfather, then his children, then Al-Abbās.
It is said that Qusayy distributed positions among his children then his grandsons inherited them according to the aforementioned details.
Quraish held other positions and established a ministate, a nearly democratic ministate. They had districts, constituencies and governmental formations that resemble modern parliamentary precincts and their councils. Here are some of these positions:
1. AL-ISĀR: means investing the maker of idols with the office of Istisqām (drawing lots by featherless arrows as a type of divination). This was peculiar to Banu Jumah.
2. ORGANISING PROPERTY: Means to organise oblations and vows offered to the idols. This also involved the settlement of disputes and arguments. Banu Sahm were responsible for that.
3. THE COUNCIL OF SHURA (CONSULTATION): The council of Shura (consultation) was run by Banu Asad.
4. ASHNĀQ: Means organising blood money and amercements. This was in the charge of Banu Taym.
5. 'IQAB: Means bearing the national flag. This was exclusive to Banu Umayya.
6. QIBBAH: Means organising camps and driving horses. Banu Makhzūm were responsible for that.
7. EMBASSY: Was peculiar to Banu 'Adeyy.
*...To be continued In-sha-Allah!*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
*Part 8*
When Hulail died and Sūfa did what they used to do, Qusayy came to them with some members of Quraish and Kināna and said to Sūfa: "We are more competent for the custody of the Ka'abah than you." They disagreed and fought each other. But Qusayy defeated them. Thereupon Khuzā'a sided with Banu Bakr against Qusayy, which made him take the initiative for fight. They confronted each other and fought a fierce battle in which both the two parties sustained casualties and losses . Then they called upon each other to make a peace agreement. They chose Ya'amur Ibn 'Awf, a leader of Banu Bakr, as an arbitrator between them. He ruled that:
1. Qusayy was more competent for the custody of the Ka'abah and ruling Mecca than Khuzā'a.
2. Qusayy was not bound to pay blood money to the families of the killed men of Khuzā'a.
3. Khuzā'a and Banu Bakr were to pay blood money for people they killed.
4. Qusayy was to be given absolute freedom to take responsibility for the Ka'abah. On that day, Ya'amur was called 'Ashad-Dākh' or the Smasher.
It is worth mentioning that Khuzā'a took charge of the Ka'abah for three centuries. Qusayy took control over Mecca and the Ka'abah in the mid 5th century A.D. Thereby Qusayy then Quraish had absolute control over Mecca. And Qusayy became the religious head of the Ka'abah to which Arabs came from all over the Arabian peninsula. Qusayy collected his people, led them to Mecca and made each four members of his people live in a house. He also provided the members of Quraish with dwellings. More to the point, he endorsed the offices of An-Nasa, Al-Safwān, 'Adwān and Murrah Ibn 'Awf used to hold. Because he viewed that as an obligation he should fulfill.
Among the achievements of Qusayy was that he set up Dārun-Nadwā (the House of conference) in the northern part of the Ka'abah and made its gate beside the Masjid. It functioned as the meeting place of Quraish where they used to discuss their affairs. Among the advantages of this house was that Quraish managed to unify their stances and settle their differences peacefully.
Here are the privileges of leadership and prestige of Qusayy:
1. The chairmanship of Dārun-Nadwā (the House of conference). In this house they used to consult each other about the serious issues. They also used to contract marriage in it.
2. Al-Liwāa (bearing the flag): Whenever they went to war with any people, the flag was carried and raised either by him or one of his children in the House of Conference.
3. Supreme command: It means leading caravans. Any caravan that got out of Mecca was under the command of Qusayy or his children.
4. Al-Hijābah: Means holding the office of being a janitor of the Ka'abah. None but Qusayy was allowed to open the gate of Ka'abah. He also used to supervise the custody and service of the Ka'abah.
5. Siqāyatul-hajj (providing pilgrimage with water): Meccans used to basins with water for pilgrimage and sweeten them with dried dates and raisins to drink when they come to Mecca.
6. Rifādatul- hajj means foods made for pilgrims as a kind of entertainment. Qusayy levied some taxes on Quraish to pay them to him during the season of hajj. By these taxes foods were made for the poor pilgrims.
Qusayy held all these important positions. His son 'Abdu Manāf attained a high statue during his life. 'Abdud-Dār was his elder son. Qusayy said to him: "I do want to make you join your people even if they hold more honourable positions." He bequeathed to him the offices of the House of Conference, Al-Liwāa, Supreme command, Al-Hijābah and Siqāyatul-hajj. No one could disagree with Qusayy about any decision he made. Even after his demise, his children used to follow the same manner as to carrying out the different matters. When 'Abdu Manāf died, his children vied with the children of their uncle 'Abdud-Dār for these positions. Thereupon Quraish divided into two parties and fight was due to begin but they called for conciliation and consequently distributed such offices among themselves. Thus Banu 'Abdu Manāf held the positions of Siqāyah, Rifādah and supreme command. While Banu 'Abdud-Dār were in charge of the House of Conference,Al-Liwāa and Al-Hijābah. Also it was said that they both took charge of the House of Conference.
Afterwards, Banu 'Abdu Manāf resorted to casting lots to apportion these positions among them. Accordingly, Hāshim held the positions of Siqāyah and Rifādah whereas 'Abdu Shams had the supreme command. It was Hāshim who was in charge of Siqāyah and Rifādah all his life. When he died, his brother Al-Mutallib Ibn 'Abdu Manāf succeeded him in this responsibility. Then charge shifted to 'Abdul-Mutallib Ibn Hāshim Ibn 'Abdu Manāf, the prophet's paternal grandfather, then his children, then Al-Abbās.
It is said that Qusayy distributed positions among his children then his grandsons inherited them according to the aforementioned details.
Quraish held other positions and established a ministate, a nearly democratic ministate. They had districts, constituencies and governmental formations that resemble modern parliamentary precincts and their councils. Here are some of these positions:
1. AL-ISĀR: means investing the maker of idols with the office of Istisqām (drawing lots by featherless arrows as a type of divination). This was peculiar to Banu Jumah.
2. ORGANISING PROPERTY: Means to organise oblations and vows offered to the idols. This also involved the settlement of disputes and arguments. Banu Sahm were responsible for that.
3. THE COUNCIL OF SHURA (CONSULTATION): The council of Shura (consultation) was run by Banu Asad.
4. ASHNĀQ: Means organising blood money and amercements. This was in the charge of Banu Taym.
5. 'IQAB: Means bearing the national flag. This was exclusive to Banu Umayya.
6. QIBBAH: Means organising camps and driving horses. Banu Makhzūm were responsible for that.
7. EMBASSY: Was peculiar to Banu 'Adeyy.
*...To be continued In-sha-Allah!*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur'an 51:55)
Comments
Post a Comment