Banu Hashim: Difference between revisions

Hashim was the founder of the two summer and winter trade caravans of Quraysh. He was the main element of greatness of Quraysh and they were very dependent to him; this was to the extent that after his demise they were afraid that other tribes will defeat them.

Feeding people in the time of famine in [[Mecca]] and founding the rule of sharing the benefits of trade with the poor, had made him famous.

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 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".

Some have considered the descendants of 'Abd al-Muttalib the only remaining descendants from 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 the 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 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. So they were rejecting the [[prophethood]] of the Prophet of Islam (s) so that Banu Hashim do not 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.

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. 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.

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.

[[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.