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An Arab had no individual responsibilities. If an Arab murdered any
one, the tribe of the murdered would revenge his death not from the individual but the
whole tribe. A tribe and not the individual concerned had to face all the consequences. When the Bedouins became dwellers of the city of Makkah, such methods
of revenge became invalid. There was neither police nor court in Makkah. Every tribe
settled its accounts that never trespassed the tribal limits. However, if there was any
intrusion from outside, all Quraysh tribes would form an alliance, against their common
enemy. If any Bedouin was offended in Makkah, he could only have his tribal members to
avenge his woe for him. Whenever that tribe reached Makkah, it would find itself facing
ten tribes. That was the reason an outsider, when wronged in Makkah, was helpless to get
justice and take revenge. An Arab historian "Saheeli" writes that once an Arab came to
Makkah with his young daughter, to buy some merchandise from Ukaz market. A rich Makkan
merchant had her abducted. The poor father had no choice but to get back to the desert to
fetch his tribe to help him to liberate his daughter. The abductor was aware that her
tribesmen were helpless as their number was too small to face him, therefore he refused to
return the daughter. When Muhammad (may Allah bless him and
grant him peace) came to know about the incident, he asked the youth of the
Quraysh to join against such barbarism in Makkah. Some volunteers who favoured the victim,
gathered in Makkah and took oath, "We swear to support the wronged to the extent so
as to compel the oppressor to repay his right. We also swear to do this irrespective of
any greed and whether the aggrieved is rich or poor". Having decided, after an
earnest discussion, that it was imperative to find an order of chivalry for the
furtherance of justice and the protection of the weak, they went in a body to the Holy
Kabah where they poured water over the Black Stone and let it flow into a
receptacle. Each man drank this water and with their right hands raised above their heads
they vowed that henceforth, at every act of oppression in Makkah, they would stand
together as one man on the side of the oppressed against the oppressor until justice was
done, whether the oppressed was a man of Quraysh or one who had come from abroad. The chief of Taym, Zubayr of Hashim and his nephew Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) were the
founders of this order. Muhammad (may Allah bless him and
grant him peace) took part in the oath and said in after-years: "I was
present in the house of Abdullah Ibn Judan at so excellent a pact that I would not
exchange my part in it. I would gladly respond to any call and help". Another of
those present was their hosts first cousin, Abu Quhafah of Taym, together with his
son Abu BakrR.A, who was three years older than Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and who was
to become his closest friend. |
The formation of this voluntary organisation marked the beginning of
the first human rights organisation. Its name The League of the Just was very
befitting of its objectives. Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant
him peace) along with other members of the League of the Just went to the
merchant who had kidnapped the girl. They surrounded his house and demanded immediate
release of the girl to her father. The merchant asked for one nights respite that
was not granted. He was forced to free the girl at the very moment. Once Abu Jahal bought some merchandise from a stranger but
did not pay him. The stranger was not aware of the existence of Half-al-Fudhul
or League of the Just. He, in despair, returned home as his tribe was helpless against the
unity of the ten Quraysh tribes. When Muhammad (may Allah
bless him and grant him peace) found out about this, he went to Abu Jahal and
compelled him to pay for the merchandise, which he did. Later, whenever any stranger was wronged in Makkah, he sought the help
of the volunteers of Hilf-al-Fudhul. Afterwards, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to say that he had
always felt much pleasure and exaltation while taking part in the activities of this
organisation. The formation of this organisation before Muhammads (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) Prophethood
bears considerable significance. This league had brought a revolution in the Arabian
system of justice and shaken the idea of tribal revenge. In Arabia one could not even think of the accountability of an
oppressor. The aggrieved could only have justice if he had a strong tribe or his tribesmen
could charge ransom. Otherwise the grieved had to forego his rights. The society of that
period had become used to such injustice. The formation of Half-al-Fudhul or the league of the Just
by Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
teaches all human beings to always support the aggrieved against the oppressor, whether he
has a weak tribe or no one to die for him. It is astonishing to note that the United
Nations Charter for human rights was framed after it came into existence in 1948 i.e.
nearly 1400 years after the first charter of League of the Just was written and signed by
the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). |