Banu Hashim: Difference between revisions

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{{Early Islam}}

Because of their relation with the Prophet (s), Banu Hashim have always been respected among Muslims.

==Before Islam==

===Hashim===

After [[Hilf al-Mutayyibin]], he gained the two positions of Siqaya and Rifada. He was very careful about the ceremony of [[Hajj]] and his two responsibilities.

==='Abd al-Muttalib===

'Abd al-Muttalib, in addition to the positions of his ancestors, gained dignity because of his magnificent traits.

The status of 'Abd al-Muttalib became higher in the event of the military expedition of [[Abraha]] in [['Am al-Fil]]; in the event, he presented before Abraha as the representative of the people of Mecca; his encounter with Abraha and his saving the lives of people from the army of Abraha, made Quraysh to title him as the "second Ibrahim".<ref>Yaʿqūbī, ''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 1, p. 364.</ref>

Because of the dignity of Quraysh among Arabs, the competition between different clans of Quraysh was very important; so every clan was trying to gain a better position among multiple clans of Quraysh.

After the demise of 'Abd al-Muttalib and mainly because of financial shortages, the position of Banu Hashim decayed, but after the [[Bi'tha]] of the [[Prophet (s)]], the conflict between Banu Hashim and their rivalry intensified; the opposite groups supposed that rise of a prophet from Banu Hashim is also in the series of the tribal competitions, and is a tool for Banu Hashim to rule other clans.<ref>Maqrīzī, ''al-Nizāʿ wa al-takhāṣum'', p. 56; Abu l-Faraj al-Iṣfahānī, ''Maqātil al-ṭālibīyyīn'', vol. 6, p. 360-365.</ref> So they were rejecting the [[prophethood]] of the Prophet of Islam (s) so that Banu Hashim do not gain more dignity.

On the other hand, some clans are mentioned as the allies and confederates of Banu Hashim. Among them, Banu Muttalib is the largest and dearest ally of Banu Hashim. Also clans such as Banu Zuhra b. Kilab, Banu Taym b. Murra, Banu Harith b. Fihr, and Banu Asad b. 'Abd al-'Uzza were with Banu 'Abd Manaf and Hashim in [[Hilf al-Mutayyibin]] and were against Banu 'Abd al-Dar.<ref>Ibn Ḥabīb, ''al-Munammaq'', p. 189-190.</ref> Later, in the alliance of [[Hilf al-Fudul]] lead by Zubayr b. 'Abd al-Muttalib they became allied with Banu Hashim to support the oppressed people.<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 1, p. 103; Ibn Ḥabīb, ''al-Munammaq'', p. 53.</ref>

[[Khuza'a]] was the other ally of Banu Hashim. Some sources reported their alliance with 'Abd al-Muttalib, in his conflict with Nawfal b. 'Abd Manaf.<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī'', vol. 3, p. 248.</ref>

==Rise of Islam==

A small number of Banu Hashim began their animosity and confrontation with the prophet (s), and made all their effort in the way; [[Abu Lahab]], one of the uncles of the Prophet (s),<ref>Ibn Ḥabīb, ''al-Munammaq'', p. 386; Rasūlī Maḥallātī, ''Zindigānī Muḥammad (s) payāmbar-i Islām'', vol. 1, p. 265.</ref> and Abu Sufyan b. Harith b. 'Abd al-Muttalib are among this group.<ref>Ibn Sayyid al-Nās, ''ʿUyūn al-athar'', vol. 2, p. 74.</ref>

Even when the leaders of clans of Quraysh, imposed social and economic sanctions over Banu Hashim, in order to make them stop supporting the Prophet (s); all of Banu Hashim, including non-Muslims (except for Abu Lahab<ref>Rasūlī Maḥallātī, ''Zindigānī Muḥammad (s)'', vol. 1, p. 221; Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 1, p. 163; Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 1, p. 94.</ref> and Abu Sufyan b. Harith)<ref>Wāqidī, ''al-Maghāzī'', p. 617; Ibn Shahrāshūb, ''Manāqib Āl Abī Ṭālib'', vol. 1, p. 94.</ref>, went to [[Shi'b Abi Talib]], by the request of Abu Talib, and lived there in very harsh conditions, for three years, but did not give up supporting the Prophet (s).<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī'', vol. 3, p. 336-339.</ref>

After the [[emigration of the Prophet (s) to Medina]], some of Banu Hashim such as [[Hamza]] and [['Ali (a)]], also immigrated to Medina; but most of Banu Hashim remained in Mecca. Most of the time, Banu Hashim were refusing to accompany the [[polytheist]]s against Muslims, but some of them were forced to participate in the [[Battle of Badr]], in the army of the polytheists.<ref>Ibn Sayyid al-Nās, ''ʿUyūn al-athar'', vol. 1, p. 333.</ref> The Prophet (s), had informed Muslims about the forced participation of some of Banu Hashim in the army of the polytheists, and had warned them against killing them; so Muslims took them captive. After the battle and the release of polytheist captives, some of Banu Hashim stayed with the Prophet (s) in Medina for a short time.<ref>Rasūlī Maḥallātī, ''Zindigānī Muḥammad (s)'', vol. 2, p. 29; Iṣfahānī, ''al-ʾAghānī'', vol. 4, p. 196.</ref>

==Time of Imams==

===Opposing the Gathering of Nubuwwa and Caliphate in One Clan===

::"'Arab does not accept that [[Nubuwwa]] and caliphate gather in one family".<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī'', vol. 5, p. 223; Ibn Abī l-Ḥadīd, ''Sharḥ Nahj al-balāgha'', vol. 1, p. 147.</ref>

On the contrary, Imam 'Ali (a) emphasized that only special people are suitable for the responsibility, the ones who are chosen by [[Allah]] and introduced by the Prophet (s).<ref>''Nahj al-balāgha'', Khutba 144.</ref>

This was one of the reasons that immediately after the demise of the Prophet (s), even before his burial, some of the [[companions of the Prophet (s)]] gathered in [[Saqifa Bani Sa'ida|Saqifa]] and pledged [[allegiance]] to someone among themselves, against the introduction of Imam 'Ali (a) by the Prophet (s), and against their pledge of allegiance to Imam 'Ali (a) in the [[Event of Ghadir]]. (see: [[Event of Saqifa Banu Sa'ida]]) From this time on, the quarrel between Banu Hashim and the rulers have always been present.

===Umayyad Bias===

On the contrary, Imam 'Ali (a), rejecting this tribal bias, considered the [[faith]], sincerity, and [[piety]] as the essential criteria for the ruler.<ref>''Nahj al-balāgha'', Letter 17.</ref>

===Mu'awiya and the Revival of the Tribal Bias===

When [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid in [[Medina]], Banu Hashim supported him;<ref>Qummī, ''Nafas al-mahmūm'', p. 68.</ref> and some of Banu Hashim ([[Banu 'Aqil]] and [[Banu 'Ali]]) accompanied him in his uprising against Yazid.<ref>Abu l-Faraj al-Iṣfahānī, ''Maqātil al-ṭālibīyyīn'', p. 52, 60-61.</ref>

===Banu 'Abbas===

{{main|Banu 'Abbas}}

The growth of the social discontent over the rule of [[Banu Umayya]], caused the formation of uprisings in the first half of the 2nd/8th century. The growing tendency of people towards [[Ahl al-Bayt]] and their rejection of the request for an uprising (for the loss of proper conditions), made the opportunity for Banu 'Abbas.

Banu 'Abbas, because of the social status of Banu Hashim, exaggerated their relationship with Banu Hashim, and started their activities under the slogan of "the Hashimi call".<ref>Yaʿqūbī, ''Tārīkh al-Yaʿqūbī'', vol. 2, p. 319.</ref>

So with the insistence of Banu 'Abbas over faking themselves as the progeny of the [[Prophet (s)]], the rule of Abbasids was famous as the rule of Banu Hashim. In contrast, [[Shi'a]]s who did not tolerate the abuse of the title, mentioned them as "Banu 'Abbas".<ref>Nuʿmānī, ''Kitāb al-Ghayba'', p. 146, 258; Ṣadūq, Muḥammad b. ʿAlī al-. ''Kamāl al-dīn'', p. 41.(1405 AH)</ref>

==Later Centuries==

== Traits ==

[[Ibn 'Abbas]] mentions seven traits for Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib: beauty, eloquence, magnificence, magnanimity, bravery, knowledge, patience, and chivalry.<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Dhakhāʾir al-ʿuqbā'', p. 15; Ḥabīb, ''al-Qawl al-jāzim fī nasab Banī Hāshim'', p. 157.</ref>

==In the Words of the Prophet (s)==

==Status Among Muslims==

==Notes==