Hashim ibn 'Abd Manaf (Arabic: هاشم بن عبد مناف; (c. 464-497) was the great-grandfather of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and the progenitor of the Banu Hashim clan of the distinguished Quraish tribe in Mecca.
His name was 'Amr al-ʻUlā (Arabic: عمرو العلا) but he was given the nickname Hashim which translates as pulverizer in Arabic - because he initiated the practice of providing crumbled bread in broth for the pilgrims to the Kaaba in Mecca.
Hashim and 'Abd Shams were conjoined twins born with Hashim's leg attached to his twin brother's head. It was said that they had struggled in the womb seeking to be firstborn. Their birth was remembered for Hashim being born with one of his toes pressed into the younger twin brother’s forehead. Legend says that their father, Abd Manaf ibn Qusai, separated his conjoined sons with a sword and that some priests believed that the blood that had flown between them signified wars between their progeny (confrontations did occur between Banu al'Abbas and Banu Ummaya ibn 'Abd Shams in the year 750 AH).[1]
Hashim was clearly the foremost man of his day, and demanded that the rights be transferred from the clan of Abd ad-Dar to his clan, Those who supported Hashim and his brothers were the descendants of Zuhrah and Taym ibn Murrah, and all Qusai's descendants except those of the eldest line. The descendants if Makhzum and of the other remoter cousins maintained that the rights should remain in the family of Abd ad-Dar, feeling rose so high that the women of the clan of 'Abd Manaf brought a bowl of rich perfume and placed it beside the Ka'bah; and Hashim and his brothers and all their allies dipped their hands in it and swore a solemn oath that they would never abandon one another, rubbing their scented hands over the stone of the Ka'bah in confirmation of their pact. Thus it was that this group of clans were known as the Scented Ones, The allies of Abd ad-Dar likewise swore an oath of union, and they were known as the Confederates.
A compromise was suggested, and it was agreed that the sons of 'Abd Manaf should have the rights of levying the tax and providing for the pilgrims with food and drink, whereas the sons of Abd ad-Dar should retain the keys of the Ka'bah and their rights, and that their house should continue to be the House of Assembly. Hashim's brothers agreed that he should have the responsibility of providing for the pilgrims.[2]
Hashim was held in much honour, both at home and abroad. It was Amr who first realised the potential for his family of taking part in the lucrative trade between Syria and Egypt that passed through Arabia. Trading was the most important means of livelihood for the inhabitants of Makkah, a barren ‘valley without cultivation’. He initiated and established the two great trade caravan journeys of Quraish from Mecca, the Caravan of Winter to Yemen and the Caravan of Summer to north-west Arabia, and beyond it to Palestine and Syria, which was then Byzantine rule as part of the Roman Empire. After obtaining an edict from the Byzantine emperor, exempting Quraish from duties or taxes when operating in the countries under his domain. He obtained the same concession from the emperor of Ethiopia.[3]
Amr commenced by going in person to Aden in Yemen to meet the ships coming from India, purchased the stock and transported it first to Mecca and then on to Syria, Gaza or Egypt. There he bought up goods of local manufacture and brought them back to Mecca, mainly selling them at the various Arab markets and fairs. Thus, the Quraish engaged in trade in Yemen, Syria and Ankara which allowed them to flourish economically.[4]
He also initiated the practice of providing crumbled bread in broth for the pilgrims to the Kaaba in Mecca.
According to Idris Imaduddin, an established historian, he died while returning from a business tour to Syria in Gaza, Palestine in 497.[citation needed]
Hashim is believed to be a Hanif by Shia Muslims.[citation needed]
His father was Abd Manaf ibn Qusai which according to tradition was a descendant of Isma'il and thus Ibrahim. His mother was Atikah bint Murrah. Hashim had two brothers, the elder was 'Abd Shams and a younger brother Muttalib who would succeed him.
He married Salma bint Amr, a woman from Medina. According to Ibn Hisham, his sons were:
and his daughters were:
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