Banu Hashim: Difference between revisions

After the demise of Hashim, his brother Muttalib b. 'Abd Manaf became his successor, and after him 'Abd al-Muttalib (son of Hashim) gained his position.

He also dug the Zamzam well again, after it had been disappeared for a long time. Banu Hashim were always proud about the well.

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.

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.

These competitions are the root of the enmity between Banu Umayya and Banu Hashim; although some questionable historical reports, considered the root of the enmity as some minor events, like that Umayya b. 'Abd Shams was envious of Hashim, or the rivalry of Harb b. Umayya with 'Abd al-Muttalib; even some of sources mentioned the story of the birth of Hashim and 'Abd Shams (the ancestor of Banu Umayya) as the reason of the enmity between Banu Umayya and Banu Hashim (see: [[Hashim b. 'Abd Manaf]]).

After the demise of 'Abd al-Muttalib and mainly because of financial shortages, the position of Banu Hashim decayed, but after the [[bi'that]] of the Prophet (s), the conflict between Banu Hashim and their rivals intensified; the opposite groups supposed that rise of a prophet form Banu Hashim is also in the series of the tribal competitions, and is a tool for Banu Hashim to rule other clans. So they were rejecting the apostleship of the Prophet of Islam (s) so that Banu Hashim don't gain more dignity.

In addition to Banu Umayya, sources also mentioned Banu 'Abd al-Dar and Banu Makhzum as the rivals of Banu Hashim. Banu 'Abd al-Dar had their first quarrel with Hashim b. 'Abd Manaf over gaining the positions of Ka'ba (see: Hilf al-Ahlaf). Also Banu Makhzum who were with Banu 'Abd al-Dar in the quarrel, joined the opponents of Islam, especially that [[Abu Jahl]] (the head of Banu Makhzum in the time), had a high rank in Mecca, and the rise of Islam was a threat to his leadership.

In the opposite, some clans are mentioned as the allies and confederates of Banu Hashim, among them Banu Muttalib b. 'Abd Manaf is the largest and dearest ally of Banu Hashim. Also clans like 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. Later, in the alliance of Hilf al-Fudul lead by Zubayr b. 'Abd al-Muttalib they became allied with Banu Hashim for supporting the oppressed people.

After the rise of Islam, Banu Muttalib were associated with Banu Hashim in the support of the Prophet (s), in many of events. Presence in Shi'b Abi Talib and bearing three years of difficulties with Banu Hashim, is one of the greatest instances of their relation with Banu Hashim.