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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Role of Holy Imams (a.s.) in the Revival of Religion Vol. 3 A Brief Glance At The Biography of The Holy Prophet (S) Before Appointment The Holy Prophet’s ancestors To the best of Arab knowledge, the Holy Prophet’s ancestors were leaders of the Quraish in Mecca.

And considering that the pilgrims to the Ka.’bah were guests in Mecca, the Holy Prophet’s (S) ancestors assumed the responsibility of serving food and water to the pilgrims in the hot hills and valleys until this authority was taken over by “Abd-Manaf “. He (Abd-Manaf) had four sons namely Hashim, Abd-Shams, Nufel and Muttalib.[^1] Hashim’s Authority After Abd-Manaf’s demise, a severe power struggle in Quraish took place between “Hashim “ and “Abd-Shams “, leading to hostilities and conflicts.

Ultimately, Hashim emerged victorious. During his time, he earned more fame than even his forefathers did. Hashim was the first person who established the two summers and winter trade trips for the Quraish. During the summer season, their trade caravan would set out for Syria and they named this journey as “Rehlat al-Saif”. In winter, they would depart towards Ethiopia and Africa via Yemen and called this trip as “Rehlat al-Shetaa”.

In those days when no individual or tribe was safe from loot and plunder, Hashim at first entered into a security pact with Caesar, the Emperor of Rome who was in Syria, for protecting the trade caravans of the Quraish. Later, while returning to Mecca, he also took an undertaking from each Arab tribe on the route that the trade caravan of Quraish would not be harmed while passing through their territories. Thus, the safety of these caravans moving on trade trips was fully guaranteed.

As mentioned earlier and as described by the Quran, the treaties of the Quraish with the Arab tribes were named as “Eelaf”. During famine, Hashim would provide food for the Meccans. On one of his journeys to Syria, he alighted in Medina and got himself married to “Salma “, daughter of Zaid who was from the tribe of Khazraj. Salma stayed back in Medina and Hashim continued his trade journey. As a result of this wedlock, Salma gave birth to a son named “Shaibah “ (Abdul-Muttalib).

When Hashim died, the tribe of Quraish feared that other Arab tribes would prevail upon them and consequently, their trade caravans would come to a standstill.