Hilf al-Ahlaf
Ḥilf al-Aḥlāf (Arabic: حِلْفُ الأحلاف) or Laʿaqat al-Dam (Arabic:لَعَقَةُ الدَّم) is the title of an allegiance before Islam (during the Age of Ignorance) between Banu 'Abd al-Dar and some clans of Quraysh tribe against Banu 'Abd Manaf and their allies who had allied in Hilf al-Mutayyabin against Banu 'Abd al-Dar.
The Struggle
Qusayy b. Kilab who was the fifth generation forefather of the Prophet (s) had the most important positions in Mecca and for the Ka'ba. Upon his death, he shared those positions among his children. According to al-Mas'udi, he gave 'Abd al-Dar "Hijabat" (key-holding), Dar al-Nadwa (place of gatherings and consultations of Quraysh), and "Liwa'" (standard-bearing of the army) and gave 'Abd Manaf, "Siqayat" (giving water to hajj pilgrims) and "Rufadat" (receiving and giving service to hajj pilgrims). After the death of 'Abd Manaf and 'Abd al-Dar a serious struggle was made between their children over the positions related to Ka'ba.
According to some reports, Qusayy had given all the positions to his elder son, 'Abd al-Dar and the cause of this struggle was that Banu 'Abd Manaf objected to exclusiveness of the positions in the hands of the Banu 'Abd al-Dar (their cousins).
The Content of the Covenant
In this argument, Banu Asad, Banu Zuhra, Banu Taym, and Banu Harith allied themselves with Banu 'Abd Manaf and made a pledge among themselves not to submit the Ka'ba at any case and to help 'Abd Manaf. Their allegiance was called Hilf al-Mutayyabin (perfume-wearers).
On the opposite camp, Banu Makhzum, Banu Jumah, Banu Sahm and Banu 'Adi allied themselves with Banu 'Abd al-Dar and were called "Ahlaf" (allied ones.) They were called La'aqa (blood-lickers), because after they were informed about Hilf al-Mutayyabin, killed a cow, soaked their hands with its blood and some of them licked it.
Both groups were allied and ready to fight, but some mediated between them and suggested peace. Both parties accepted the suggestion, shared the positions and stopped fighting and the situation was so until Islam emerged.
See Also
References
- The material for this article has been mainly taken from حلف الاحلاف in Farsi WikiShia.