Haashim (continued)

Haashim was the first to initiate the custom of sending off two trade caravans a year; one to Syria in summer and another to Yemen in winter. According to this unvarying custom, a caravan would set out in every season of the year. These caravans would travel in winter across desolate swathes of land, at times at times through the desert and at times crossing the sea, until they would arrive at Yemen and even further, at Ethiopia.

Najaashi, the emperor of Ethiopia, was exceedingly hospitable towards Haashim and would present many gifts to him. In summer, the caravans would travel to Syria (including Jordan and Lebanon), Gaza and Ankara (which was then the capital of Rome). Heraclius, the Byzantine emperor, would also approach Haashim with utmost respect and would often present gifts to him.

Haashim

Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) and Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) say that Haashim’s actual name was ‘Amr.

There was once a severe drought in Makkah during which Haashim fed the people bread crushed into gravy. This is why he was given the title “Haashim” (The one who crushes). As a poet says:

عمرو العلا هشم الثريد لقومه ورجال مكة مسنتون عجاف

“The exalted ‘Amr prepared Thareed (a dish of meat and gravy into which bread is crushed) for his people (and fed it to them) when the people of Makkah were left weak and thin by the drought.”

Ka‘b

In the pre-Islamic era, Ka‘b bin Luwayy would, on a weekly basis, gather all the people on the day of Friday. After all the people had assembled, he would deliver a sermon which he would commence by praising Allah Ta‘ala and explaining that Allah Ta‘ala had created the skies, the earth, the moon, the sun and all other forms of creation. He would thereafter give the people beneficial advices and would encourage them to maintain family ties.

He would also mention: “A prophet is to appear amongst my descendants. If you are alive in that era, ensure that you follow him.”

Ilyaas

His name conformed to the name of the Nabi of Allah Ta‘ala, Hazrat Ilyaas (‘alaihis salaam).

The Sunnah (tradition) of herding the Hadi (sacrificial) animals towards Baytullah (in Makkah) was commenced by Ilyaas bin Mudhar. It has been reported that Ilyaas bin Mudhar would often hear the Talbiyah of Haj being recited by Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) from his own spine.

It has also been narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Do not speak ill of Ilyaas as he was a Muslim.”

Mudrikah

Most Ulama are of the opinion that Mudrikah’s name was ‘Amr. The name “Mudrikah” is derived from the word “Idraak” which means “achievement”. He was awarded the title of Mudrikah (the achiever) as he had excelled and attained success in virtually every department of his life.