Tribe Quraish & Muslims Division Today
NOTE: The below article is based on the famous books “Tareekh-e-Islam” by Moeen ud Din Nadvi and “Khilafat aur Malookiat” by Maulana Modudi. The article is intended as a historical discussion.
All Sahaba are respectable to us. However, they made errors of judgement at times because they were humans. Still we respect them as Rasool Allah (SAW) has praised them at different occasions.
Objective of discussion here is not to prove someone right or wrong rather learn. And I am learning myself so if you find anything missing or wrong, kindly guide me on it.
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Significance of Quraish Tribe:
Tribe of Quraish has a special significance in Islam; our beloved prophet Muhammad (SAW) belongs to it. Allah Ta’ala mentions Quraish in Quran (Surah Al-Quraish) as He blessed them with favours. Muhammad (SAW) talked about their importance in different hadeeth. Understanding Quraish’s origins and its structure will help us understand the nature of initial struggle for establishing Islam. More importantly the roots of the biggest divide that Muslims have, originated from the very structure of Quraishi tribe; i.e. the Shia Sunni Divide.
Origins:
The tribe Quraish links back to our spiritual father & Prophet Ibrahim AS who moved to the place now known as Makkah and built the first house of God known as Ka’ba. The tribe’s foundation was laid by one of his decedents called Fahr whose Laqab (nick name) was Quraish. His decedents were called Quraishi. With the passage of time they subdivided into small tribes or branches as listed below:
- Bani Hashim, 2. Bani Ummaiyah, 3. Bani Nofil, 4. Bani Abd al Dar, 5. Bani Asad, 6. Bani Taim, 7. Bani Makhzoom, 8. Bani Adi, 9. Bani Jamha, 10. Bani Sahm
Organisation:
Quraish’s organised social life & political structure was formed by Qasi who was born in the 5th generation after Fahr. Three main areas of Administration were:
- Army: Organising Army, Battles, Relations with other nations. This was the responsibility of Bani Ummaiyah
- Courts: Decision making via Collective Council, Disputes Solving, and
- Religious Affairs: Looking after Ka’aba & Haaji visitors. Responsibility of Bani Hashim
Quraish’s main profession was trade. They would travel far & wide for it. Allah Ta’ala granted them two gifts as mentioned in Quran (surah Quraish) i.e. Rizq (Food) and Peace. The 3rd and biggest gift is Ka’aba, the House of the Lord. People from all over the world would come to visit it. So, Quraish had a lot of respect, prominence & power at the time.
Two Key Tribes:
Bani Hashim and Bani Ummaiyah were the strongest and most prominent tribes. These very tribes shaped the Muslim history in coming years.
- Bani Hashim were respected the most as they were in-charge of the Religious affairs i.e. looking after Ka’aba, Pilgrims & the related matters. Muhammad Rasul Allah (SAW) descended in this tribe
- Bani Ummaiyah (Umayyads) were most powerful; they were rich and bigger in number. Bani Ummaiyah were in-charge of Army.
Relations & Rivalry:
Both Hashimis and Umayyads were descendants of same grandfather Abd Munaf hence were close relatives. But there was always a sense of rivalry present among them. Because both tribes were more or less equally strong in terms of wealth & honour so matter of competition was not major. The ties were further strengthened through intermarriages…..Until Hashimis were granted the Prophet-hood.
Muhammad (SAW) becoming prophet took Hashimis to prominence; feud & power struggle grew apparent. Umayyads had nothing personal against Hashimis. They were against Hashimis as were the other Quraishi tribes. It was their Leading role that was at stake.. Being the strongest militarily & financially, Umayyads would have acted the same way against any other tribe in such a situation.
The relations between two tribes remained even after the arrival of Islam. Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) daughters were married to Usman (RA) & Abu Al-Aas, both Umayyad, and Prophet’s wife Um-e-Habiba (RA) was the daughter of Aub Sufian (RA), the head of Quraishi Army at the time.
Unity under Islam:
Fatah Makkah (conquer of Makkah) crushed the power of Quraish. Banu Ummaiyah, like many other tribes accepted Islam. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) honoured them significantly, especially Abu Suffiyan (RA) & his family. He was granted special privileges. His son Ameer Muawiah (RA) was appointed as Katib-e-Wahi (writer of Revelations). Suitable people from Ummayiah were given leadership roles. Umayyads returned that honour with great dignity; Abu Sufian (RA) fought battles taking his whole families along. Usman (RA) spent all of his wealth in the way of Islam.
So Umayyad remained prominent even after the arrival of Islam. And the tradition continued after the passing away of Muhammad (SAW).
Conquer of Syria:
Abu Bakar (RA) sent an army to conquer Syria. Abu Sufian (RA) participated in this war with all of his family. Uazeed (Son of Abu Sufian RA) was appointed as in-charge of a small army section that went to Damascus (Damishq). Damascus was eventually conquered in Umar’s (RA) time. Umar (RA), the 2nd Khaleefa-e-Rasihda appointed Ameer Muawiah bin Abu Suffian (RA) as Ruler here.
The action of appointing Muawaiah RA in Syria laid the foundations of the biggest divide in Muslim nation and changed the course of Muslim history forever.