Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

56 'Ali ibn Abi Tcilib in Makkah
(@) have recorded about their exploits and sayings - which is very
little indeed - we will see that they were distinguished by all noble
human feelings, moderation in all things, sound reasoning, strong
belief in the high status of the Ka'bah before Allah (g), avoidance of
wrongdoing or rejecting the truth, high ambition, kindness towards
guests and the oppressed, generosity, courage and everything that
chivalry implied to the Arabs of noble meanings, praiseworthy
characteristics and good conduct that befits the forefathers of the
noble Prophet (g). Banu Hhbim did not attain this status in their
society except by means of sacrifice, generous living and service to
the people. All that they practiced was in conformity with what the
Prophet (g) ~, propagated about noble morals and manners, with one
exception: since they lived during the period between the coming of
two prophets, they went along with their people with regard to
ignorant beliefs and acts of worship.31
'Abdul-MutJalib ibn Hiishim was the grandfather of the
Prophet (g) and of 'Ali ibn Abi Tsh (&). 'Abdul-Mugalib ibn
HL& was in charge of providing water and food32 to all of the
pilgrims after his uncle al-Muttalib died. For his own people, he did
what his forefathers before him had done with regard to managing
their affairs, and he reached a high status among his people that none
of his forefathers had reached. His people loved him, and be became
very prominent among them.33
'Abdul-Muplib was not the richest man among Quraysh, nor
was he the sole master of Makkah, as Qusayy was, because in
Makkah there were men who had more wealth and power than he
had. He was the most prominent figure among his people because he
was in charge of providing water and food for the pilgrims and he
was in charge of the well of ~arnzarn~~, which was an important