Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 11
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 11 come unto you fatigued and harassed, with hair disheveled and bodies covered with the dust and squalor of the way. Then invite them hospitably and furnish them with water in abundance. ’ Hashim set the example by a munificent provision, and Quraish were forward to contribute, every man according to his ability. W ater, sufficient for the great assemblage, was collected in cisterns close by the Ka’aba and at the stations on the route to Arafat. The distribution of food commenced upon the day on which the pilgrims set out for Mina and Arafat, and continued until they dispersed. During this period of five or six days, they were entertained with meat and bread, butter and barley, and with the favourite national repast of dates. Thus Hashim supported the credit of Mecca. But his name is even more renowned for the splendid charity by which, in a time of famine, he relieved the necessities of his fellow citizens. Journeying to Syria, he purchased an immense stock of flour, and conve yed it upon camels to Mecca. The provisions were cooked, the camels slaughtered and roasted, and the whole divided among the citizens. Thus destitution and mourning were turned into mirth and plenty; and it was, as it were, the beginning of new life after the year of scarcity. The foreign relations of Quraish were conducted by the sons of Abd Manaf. With the Roman authorities, and the Ghassanid prince, Hashim himself concluded a treaty; and he received from the Emperor a prescript authorizing Quraish to travel through Syria in s ecurity. Abd Shams made a treaty with the Negus in pursuance of which Quraish traded with Abyssinia; Naufal and Muttalib entered into an alliance with the King of Persia, who