Dar al-Nadwa

Dār al-Nadwa (Arabic: دار النَدوَة) is a place in Mecca where the noblemen of Quraysh assembled in order to confer and decide about various issues. Some crucial and historical decisions made at Dar al-Nadwa include: the Treaty of Khuza'a and Banu Hashim, Hilf al-Fudul, and Quraysh's decision to murder Prophet Muhammad (s).

Literal Meaning

The word "dar" (Arabic:دار ) means house, and the word "nadwa" (الندوة) literally means to gather or assemble. So the phrase literally means: 'place of gathering or assembly'.

History

The place was built by Qusay b. Kilab. Because of founding Dar al-Nadwa and gathering Quraysh there, he was called "Mujammi'" (assembler).

Dar al-Nadwa used to be Qusay's house. It was adjacent to Masjid al-Haram on its western side. Its door was opened to the Ka'ba.

Dar al-Nadwa was the place where the Quraysh conferred about political and social issues, such as the declaration of wars, marriages, declaration of girls' puberty, and the circumcision of boys. Moreover, all commercial caravans of Mecca began and ended their travels from Dar al-Nadwa.

With the establishment of Dar al-Nadwa, Qusay established a civilization in Mecca, because the first building constructed in Mecca other than the Ka'ba was Dar al-Nadwa. Other buildings were constructed accordingly.

Qusay's children were all members of Dar al-Nadwa. Members of other clans of Quraysh could attend the assemblies provided that they are at least 40 years old, although Abu Jahl is said to be admitted in Dar al-Nadwa when he was 30 years old.

After Qusay's death, Dar al-Nadwa was supervised by his son, 'Abd al-Dar. After disputes between sons of 'Abd al-Dar and sons of 'Abd Manaf over the headship of Dar al-Nadwa, its headship was finally assigned to the sons of 'Abd al-Dar, until when Hakim b. Hizam purchased Dar al-Nadwa from Mansur b. 'Amir b. Hisham b. 'Abd Manaf b. 'Abd al-Dar b. Qusay. Then 'Ikrima b. Hisham purchased it from Hakim b. Hizam, and after the emergence of Islam, he sold it to Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan (reign: 41-60/ 661-680) for 100,000 dirhams. Mu'awiya turned Dar al-Nadwa into his governmental center in Mecca.

Later the place turned into a residence of the Caliphs in the period of Umayyads and Abbasids during the season of hajj. However, Harun al-Rashid (reign: 170/193/ 786-809) ordered the construction of another building for the residence of caliphs. After that, the place turned into ruins.

In late 3rd/9th century, during the reign of al-Mu'tadid al-'Abbasi, it was annexed to Masjid al-Haram after its pillars were repaired.

Some Important Decisions Made in Dar al-Nadwa

Some crucial decisions were made in Dar al-Nadwa:

• The Treaty of Khuza'a and Banu Hashim

• Negotiations over the Treaty of Hilf al-Fudul

• Quraysh's decision to murder the Prophet (s), which led to his migration to Medina.