Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 14
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 14 to offer welcome but the stranger refused his welcome and, drawing his sword, declared that he would plunge it into him unless he forthwith reinstated the orphan in his rights. Naufal was daunted and agreed to the concession, which was then ratified by oat h before the assembled Quraish. Some years later, on the death of Muttalib, Abdul Muttalib succeeded to the office of entertaining the pilgrims. But for a long time he was destitute of power and influence, and, having at the time but one son to assist him in the assertion of his claims, he found it difficult to cope with the opposing factions of Quraish. It was during this period that he discovered the ancient well Zam Z am. Finding it laborious to collect water for the pilgrims from the scattered wells of Mecca and to store it in cisterns by the Ka’aba, and perhaps aware by tradition of the existence of a well in the vicinity, he made a diligent search, and at last chance d upon the venerable masonry. It was a remnant of the palmy days when a rich and incessant stream of commerce flowed through Mecca. Centuries had elapsed since the trade had ceased, and with it had followed the decline of Mecca, and neglect of the well. In course of time, choked up, the remembrance of it had become so indistinct that even the site was now unknown. As Abdul Muttalib, aided by his son Harith, continued digging deeper, he came upon the two golden gazelles, with the swords and suits of armour, buried there by the Jurhumite King more than three centuries before. Quraish, envying him these treasures, dema nded a share and even asserted their right to the well itself, as the possession of their common ancestor Ishmael. Abdul Muttalib was not powerful enough to resist the claim; but