Part 1 · Pages 196-197
Quraysh Dispute over Who Should Place the Black Stone
English rendering of the source section
Local English translation from the Arabic text; textual variants are distinguished.
This local English rendering may condense the Arabic narration and editorial notes. It is not a complete published English edition. Consult the Arabic source for exact wording and context.
Read the corresponding Arabic sectionIbn Ishaq said: The Qurayshi clans gathered stones for the building, each clan collecting them separately. They built until the structure reached the place of the Corner. Then they disputed over it, with each clan wanting to raise it into place without the others, until they divided into factions, made alliances, and prepared to fight. Banu ‘Abd al-Dar brought a bowl filled with blood… The account continues on printed page 197.
[1] Tanaqqadat means that it shook. [2] Bakkah is another name for Makkah; recension A reads “Lord of Makkah.” [3] Al-Akhashaban are the two mountains of Makkah. [4] The phrase means that no outsider should make its sanctuary lawful to violate. The note links this to later fighting in the sanctuary during the time of Ibn al-Zubayr and al-Hajjaj. [5] “The Corner” means the Black Stone, set in the corner of the House. [6] Most copies read “they separated into factions”; recension A reads ‘they disputed with one another.’
Banu ‘Abd al-Dar and Banu ‘Adi ibn Ka‘b ibn Lu’ayy swore an oath to fight one another, dipping their hands into the bowl of blood. They were called “the Lickers of Blood.” Quraysh remained in that state for four or five nights, then gathered in the mosque, consulted, and sought a fair settlement.