The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 121
III - Makkah, the Ka ‘ bah & the Quraish 121 sacrifice one of them in the way of God. 1 After the labour of some time, ‘Abdul- Muṭṭalib was able to locate the site of Zamzam. Upon digging that site, the old spring once again gushed forth. Along with this, the treasure which was buried by the Jurhum tribe upon their departure from Makkah was also discovered. This unexpected occurrence fully established ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib’s authority over the Quraish. Although they attempted to contest ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib in his newly found treasure, ultimately, they were silenced in awe. Gradually, they began to acknowledge his greatness. Ultimately, ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib was regarded by the Quraish as an exceedingly venerable leader. 2 Ḥarb bin Umaiyyah, the father of Abū Sufyān, was a very close friend of ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib, but the success of ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib ignited the fiery spark of jealousy in his heart as well. In the likeness of his father, he also attempted to contest the Banū Hāshim but failed. After this display of detestation, ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib’s sitting remained with ‘ Abdullāh bin Jad‘ān Taimī, who was a chieftain of noble character. 3 ‘ Abdullāh After the instance of the fountain of Zamzam , ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib became very influential, and by the decree of God, his children also began to flourish until their number reached ten, at last. When these children reached adulthood, and the time for the fulfillment of his vow had arrived, ‘Abdul- Muṭṭalib started towards the Ka‘bah with all of his sons, and conducted a draw of ballots before Hubal 4. By the decree of God the drawn ballot was of his youngest son, ‘Abdullāh, who was most dear to ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib. At that time, ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib’s state was completely inexplicable but ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib was a man of his word, and he was to fulfill his vow in any case. Therefore, he set out to sacrifice ‘Abdullāh, and along with his father, ‘Abdullāh bowed his head in complete submission and left with his father. When the chieftains 1 Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Dhikru Nadhri ‘Abdil-Muṭṭalib ain-Yanḥara Ibnahū, Volume 1, p. 40-41, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) 2 * Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Dhikru Qusaiyy bin Kilāb, Volume 1, p. 40, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) * As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Malik bin Hishām, pp. 118-119, Dhikru Ḥafri Zamzama wa mā Jadala minal-Khalfi, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) 3 Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Dhikru Qusaiyy bin Kilāb, Volume 1, p. 40, Dāru Iḥyā’it- Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) 4 The name of an idol of the Arabs, placed in the Ka‘bah, who they took as God (Publishers)