Download PDF: [S] Qusay bin Kilaab and his Tribe

Even during ancient times, people considered it non-permissible to cut the trees around the Haram Shareef. In fact, the people never built their houses near the Haram Shareef and even considered it a great insult to the Haram Shareef to sleep within its environs during the night. Hence, because of the immense respect they had for the Haram Shareef, they began to live a little away from the actual Haram. As we have said, since there were no houses near the Haram, the trees near the Haram began to grow wild and out of control. At the same time, it also became necessary to increase the residential area around the Haram Shareef.

 

It must also be borne in mind that in 440 B.C., Qusay bin Kilaab was already in power in Mecca Shareef. Before him, the Bani Jarham had ruled the area for nearly two thousand and one hundred years. This was then taken away from them by the Bani Khuzaa’i. They also controlled this area for nearly three hundred years. During this period, there were still a few off-shoots of the Quraysh who lived around the Haram Shareef. They had no control in the government in Mecca Shareef and no say in the affairs of the Haram Shareef.

 

However all of this changed when Qusay bin Kilaab married the daughter of Hulail bin Habash Khuzaa’i. When Hulail died, control of this city passed to the hands of Qusay bin Kilaab and he became the supreme leader in Mecca Shareef. He was also considered extremely intelligent and brave.

 

He made contact with all the surrounding tribes and his influence even reached the shores of Rome. He then decided to expand the area of the Haram Shareef bearing in mind that people considered cutting trees in this area as an ill omen.

 

Qusay picked up the axe himself and announced that although it was Haraam to cut a tree in this area, his intention was not to destroy anything but to increase the living space for people who lived around this area. Therefore, this cannot be considered as destruction but can actually be considered as restructuring. The people were satisfied with this explanation and also joined him. They then built a map of how the city should be reconstructed.

 

As we have said, many tribes from the Quraysh used to live outside the city and all of them were called into the city and the land was distributed among them. A piece of plot was given to each family so that they could build their dwelling on this plot.

 

One of the famous structures build by Qusay on the northern part of the Haram Shareef was a place called “Darul Nadwah”. This was a spacious enclosed area whose door opened in the Haram Shareef. This was also a place where the people of Mecca Shareef used to meet and discuss various issues which affected their lives. Marriages were also held in this area. At the same time, whenever a young girl from the Quraish used to become mature, she was brought to this place and her head was then covered with a shawl by the elders of the Quraysh. They used to also instruct her to cover herself.

 

Darul Nadwah was also used as a parliament. However, sadly, this same place was once used by the elders of the Quraysh to plot the killing of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him – which failed. A complete life story of this person can also be seen in the book, Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah and Al Kaamil fit Taarikh.