Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 9
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 9 be in the autumn. He accordingly persuaded the Arabs to accept an intercalary month every third year, in order to make the lunar year match with the solar year. The system was not quite accurate but was nevertheless a remarkable effort on the part of a pri mitive tribal chief in the deserts of Arabia. Arab nomadic tribal chiefs have never exercised autocratic powers and tribal policy has always been discussed in public. Qusai gave these discussions a formal aspect by erecting a building immediately opposite the Ka’aba, called Dar - en - Nadwa, or House of C onsultation. Qusai died sometime between 450 and 460, bequeathing his position to his eldest son, Abdud Dar. In the second generation, the descendants of his second son, Abd Manaf, disputed the leadership with the descendants of Abdud Dar. A compromise was reached wher eby the clan of Abdud Dar retained the guardianship of the Ka’aba and of the House of Consultation and the right to carry the tribal banner in war. The clan of Abd Manaf was given the duties of collecting the rifada tax, and of providing food and water for the pilgrims. A number of public duties were also distributed to branches of the family. Quraish only became the capitalists of the oriental trade in the second half of the sixth century. During this period, certain clans, such as the descendants of Abd Manaf and of Makhzoom, became wealthy, while other families remained poor. The majority, ho wever, acquired something of the commercial spirit and even the humblest inhabitants of Mecca would invest in trade whatever modest savings they could collect. Some would club together and would send one of their numbers with a caravan to