Banu Hashim: Difference between revisions

  | features = They supported the Prophet (s) against the [[polytheist]]s. In jurisprudence, [[Sadat]] are those whom lineage back to Hashim b. 'Abd Manaf.  

'''Banū Hāshim''' (Arabic:{{ia| بنو هاشم}}) are a famous clan of the [[Quraysh]] tribe who are the descendants of [[Hashim]] ('Amr) b. 'Abd Manaf b. Qusayy b. Kilab. The [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] is from this clan. The clan was one of the famous and great Arab tribes before [[Islam]]. After the rise of Islam, in the time of leadership of [[Abu Talib]] over Banu Hashim, they supported the Prophet (s) against the [[polytheist]]s. After the demise of the Prophet (s), Banu Hashim were always supporting [[Imams (a)]].

[[Qusayy b. Kilab]] was one of the descendants of [[Isma'il (a)]], who was living near a century before the [[Am al-fil|birth of the Prophet (s)]]. Because of his actions, he gained the leadership of [[Quraysh]] and also he was the trusteeship of [[Ka'ba]]. After him his sons ([['Abd Manaf]] and [['Abd al-Dar]]) gained the positions. But after the demise of the two brothers, their sons quarreled over the positions of [[Ka'ba]]. After the two sides made peace, Banu 'Abd Manaf gained the positions of "[[Rifada]]" (feeding the [[pilgrim]]s) and "[[Siqaya]]" (giving water to the pilgrims).

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

Some have considered the descendants of 'Abd al-Muttalib the only remaining descendants form Hashim, and considered Banu Hashim equal to Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib; but as other sons of Hashim had also children, the claim is not true.

These competitions are the root of the enmity between [[Banu Umayya]] and Banu Hashim; although some questionable historical reports, have 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'tha]] 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 [[prophethood]] of the Prophet of Islam (s) so that Banu Hashim don't gain more dignity.

In the opposite, 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 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.

The [[Prophet (s)]] in his first step to publicize his call, began to convey his massage to his family and in the [[day of Indhar]] invited Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib to his home, and invited them to accept [[Islam]].

Banu Hashim showed different reactions to the new religion; some of them accepted Islam and became followers of the Prophet (s), some of this group -like [[Abu Talib]]- were hiding their [[faith]]. Abu Talib hid his faith in order to keep his leadership of [[Quraysh]], so that he could support the Prophet (s), he had always used his influence in Quraysh to prevent them harming the Prophet (s) (see: [[Faith of Abu Talib]]).

Although many of Banu Hashim didn't convert to Islam at the time, but most of them supported the Prophet (s) against the confrontation of other Quraysh leaders, and their hurting the Prophet (s) and Muslims. The presence of Abu Talib, the uncle of the Prophet (s), who was the head of Banu Hashim, had a significant role in the support.

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 and Abu Sufyan b. Harith), went to [[Shi'b Abi Talib]], by the request of Abu Talib, and lived there in a very harsh conditions, for three years, but didn't give up supporting the Prophet (s).

After the demise of Abu Talib, Abu Lahab gained the leadership of Banu Hashim; then the head of Banu Hashim didn't support the Prophet (s) as before, so after the travel of the Prophet (s) to [[Ta'if]], he entered [[Mecca]] under the protection of [[Mut'im b. 'Adi]], one of the sons of [[Nawfal b. 'Abd Manaf]].

After the [[emigration of the Prophet (s) to Medina]], some of Banu Hashim like [[Hamza]] and [['Ali (a)]], also immigrated to Medina; but most of Banu Hashim remained in Mecca. Most of the times, 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. 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.

Most of Banu Hashim converted to Islam in the years after the [[Hijra|emigration]], and especially in the [[Conquest of Mecca]], such as [['Abbas b. 'Abd al-Muttalib]] before the battle of Badr (or before the conquest of [[Khaybar]]), [['Aqil b. Abi Talib]] before the [[Treaty of Hudaybiyya]] (or in the eighth year after the emigration), and Abu Sufyan b. Harith in the Conquest of Mecca, converted to Islam; and some others like Abu Lahab died as polytheists.

After the demise of the [[Prophet (s)]], the pre-Islamic tribal competitions became unfolded, in the opposition to the [[caliphate]] of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]]. Most of the opposition to the caliphate of Imam Ali (a) were considering his caliphate as the continuation of the rule of Banu Hashim over [[Arab]]s; as [['Umar]], in his discussions with Imam 'Ali (a) and [['Abbas b. 'Abd al-Muttalib]], stated:

::"'Arab doesn't accept that [[Nubuwwa]] and caliphate gather in one family".

In 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).

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 the quarrel between Banu Hashim, and the rulers have always been present.

Despite of this oppositions, Banu Hashim preserved their high status; for example in the story of the dividing the spoils, [['Umar]] prioritized Banu Hashim and considered them as the most noble of Arab because of their relationship with the Prophet (s).

In the opposite, Imam 'Ali (a), rejecting this tribal bias, considered the [[faith]], sincerity, and piety as the essential criteria for the ruler.

With the beginning of the caliphate of [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] ([[35]]/655-[[40]]/660) Banu Hashim were with him in all of the events. Although Banu Hashim were mainly based in [[Medina]], but with the changing of the center of caliphate from Medina to [[Kufa]], some of Banu Hashim went there. Some of the governors assigned by Imam 'Ali (a) were from Banu Hashim.

After Imam 'Ali (a), in the short caliphate of [[Imam al-Hasan al-Mujtaba (a)|Imam al-Hasan (a)]] ([[40]]/660-[[41]]/661) despite the support of Banu Hashim, some of the noble of Banu Hashim, like [['Ubayd Allah b. 'Abbas b. 'Abd al-Muttalib]], the commander of the Army of Imam al-Hasan, joined the army of [[Mu'awiya]], which made Imam al-Hasan to the [[Peace Treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a)|peace with Mu'awiya]].

In the period of the rule of Mu'awiya, tribal conflicts raised more than ever; for example Mu'awiya in the battle with Imam 'Ali ([[Battle of Siffin]]), considered the army of [[Kufa]] as the adherents of Banu Hashim.

The view was prevalent in the rule of the successors of Mu'awiya. [[Umayyad]] rulers, put their effort to reject the religious motivations in the history of early Islam, and even the rise of Islam itself; and in contrary, pretended it as tribal conflicts. An obvious instance of the view, is the words of [[Yazid]], after the [[event of 'Ashura']], when he explicitly rejected the [[revelation]] and the [[prophethood]], and considered Islam as only a political play of Banu Hashim against Banu Umayya.

when [['Abd Allah b. al-Zubayr]] seized [[Mecca]] in [[63]]/682 and caused much difficulties for the rule of Umayyads, Banu Hashim refused to pledge allegiance to him, despite their enmity toward the oppressive rule of Banu Umayya; so he exiled, or according to a report, imprisoned important figures of Banu Hashim, like [[Muhammad b. Hanafiyya]] and [['Abd Allah b. 'Abbas]].

Despite that the revenge of Banu Umayya put a lot of pressure over Banu Hashim, their influence over people didn't decline; for example, one of the reasons mentioned for the defeat of 'Abd Allah b. Zubayr, is his harsh encounter with Banu Hashim, and when Ziyad b. Salih started rebellion against Umayyads ([[133]]/750) he was calling for Banu Hashim. Also the supporters of [['Abbasids]] in [[Iran]] were calling people to support Banu Hashim.

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 didn't tolerate the abuse of the title, mentioned them as "Banu 'Abbas".

[[Abbasids]] ruled till [[656]]/1258. In addition to them, other governments from Banu Hashim, like [[Fatimids]] in Egypt, [[Idrisids]] in Morocco, and [['Alids (Tabaristan)|'Alids in Tabaristan]], were formed.

Honorable traits like munificence, avoiding the vices, and magnanimity is reported for the descendants of Hashim and 'Abd al-Muttalib. [[Hilf al-Fudul]], in which Banu Hashim and some other tribes swore to advocate the oppressed people till their rights are taken, shows the magnanimity of Banu Hashim.

[[Ibn 'Abbas]] mentions seven traits for Banu 'Abd al-Muttalib: beauty, eloquent, magnificence, magnanimity, bravery, knowledge, patience, and chivalry.

Banu Hashim were famous for their chastity. The other trait is their pride, that even in the harshest conditions, they don't forget their social status.

One day the [[Prophet (s)]] came out of his home and he was very happy, when he was asked about the reason, he said: [[Jabra'il]] (Gabriel) came to me from [[Allah]] and said: "Allah have chosen 7 from Banu Hashim that He have neither created nor will create: You, O Prophet, [[Imam 'Ali (a)|'Ali]] your successor, [[Imam al-Hasan (a)|al-Hasan]] and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)|al-Husayn]] your grandsons, [[Hamza b. 'Abd al-Muttalib|Hamza]] your uncle, [[Ja'far b. Abi Talib|Ja'far]] your cousin, and [[al-Qa'im]] [[[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]]] who [[Jesus (a)]] will pray with."

Banu Hashim have always been respected by [[Muslim]]s because of their relation with the Prophet (s); and respecting Banu Hashim as a demonstration of respecting the Prophet (s), had always been common in Muslim societies. Some examples are supporting Banu 'Abbas and other governments formed with the title of Hashimis. Other examples are the poems praising Banu Hashim, like the "Hashimiyyat" of [[Kumayt b. Zayd al-Asadi]], and the respect of Hashimis among muslims specially [[Sayyid]]s in [[Iran]].

This article is mainly taken from [http://fa.wikishia.net/{{ia|بنی هاشم}}] in Farsi WikiShia.

{{Martyrs of Karbala}}