ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books History of Islam Chapter Three : the Holy Prophet’s Youth Hilf al-Fuzul Hilf al-Fuzul,[^60] the most important Qurayshi treaty,[^61] was held among some branches of Quraysh tribe, because one of the Banu-Zubayd tribe had entered Mecca and sold some goods to al-`as ibn Wa'il of Banu-Sahm. The goods were delivered to al-`as ibn Wa'il who refused to pay the price to the seller.

A man from Banu-Zubayd then came to Wa'il to receive his money, but he received nothing. There was a strong tribal system in Arabia in those days and every tribe tried to defend its own interests and those of its members. If a foreigner was wronged, there was nobody to help or protect him. The Zubaydi man had to climb Abu-Qubays Mount and say passionate poems to let the leaders of Quraysh hear what injustice he had suffered.

At that time, these leaders had gathered below the mountain to have a meeting. Having heard the man's call for justice, Zubayr ibn `Abd al-Muttalib encouraged the leaders of Banu-Hashim, i.e. `Abd al-Muttalib, Banu-Zuhrah, Banu-Tamim and Banu-Harith (who were among the prominent clans of Quraysh) to gather at the home of `Abdullah ibn Jad`an al-Taymi. They convened a treaty according to which nobody, either weak or poor, was to be the subject of any act of injustice.

Then they went to the home of al-`as and received the money for the Zubaydi man.[^62] At that time, Muhammad (s) was twenty years old.[^63] The participation of Muhammad (s) in this treaty was a brave act. It is interpreted now as a symbolic act of protection of human rights in that backward and ignorant society.

His brave and just act is appreciated when we notice that the youngsters of his age in those days were participating in pleasure-seeking parties and did not have any concept of protecting the oppressed or carrying out justice. After prophethood, he used to remember his participation in that treaty with a lot of joy. He said: “I took part in a treaty at the home of `Abdullah ibn Jad`an which made me even more delighted than receiving red-haired camels.

If at this era of Islam I am invited to such a pact, I will joyfully accept it.”[^64] Since this pact was superior to any other treaty, it had the name of Hilf al-Fuzul.[^65] This pact was a stronghold for the homeless and the miserable.