Why another Rasul (Messenger) in Arabia

‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdul Muttalib was the father of Muhammad S.

For a long time, ‘Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim had only one son Harith. He always prayed for more sons. He also made a vow to Hubal, the main deity of Ka’bah that if he had more sons, he would sacrifice one of them, if all of them grew up to young age.

With time ‘Abdul Muttalib had nine more sons.

When all his sons grew up into fine young men, ‘Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim remembered that he had made a vow to sacrifice one of them to Hubal.

Before Islam, Arabs used to make their decisions by drawing arrows of divinity placed at the feet of their deities. 'Abdul Muttalib took all of his sons to Ka’bah.

He had to select one of his sons for sacrifice.

Arabs were very superstitious people before the advent of Islam. They used to seek help from the arrows of divinity before doing anything. These arrows were called Azlam.

'Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim decided to select one of his sons for sacrifice, by drawing arrows that were placed at the feet of their deity Hubal inside Ka’bah. Seven arrows were placed near the feet of Hubal. Each arrow had something written on it. One arrow was marked DIYAT (Blood Money) and it was used to resolve disputes about the blood money. Another was marked YES. This arrow was an indicator for the people of Makkah for doing any important work. They used to postpone their work if this arrow was not drawn. Similarly another arrow was marked NO. People never performed the task if this arrow was picked. Remaining arrows were marked One of You, With You, Not from One of You, and Water that was used for a permission to dig wells. They used these arrows for doing anything of some significance.

'Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim asked each of his sons to bring an arrow each with his name written on it. These arrows were given to the priest who used to draw arrows.

Arrows were drawn at the feet of Hubal inside Ka'bah.

The name of his youngest son 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib was picked up for the sacrifice.

'Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim took 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib to the sacrificial spot near Ka’bah, for sacrificing him.

'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib was loved by every one. His sisters, brothers and other residents of Makkah requested 'Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim to spare the life of 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib. They advised 'Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim to get another opinion. 'Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim and his family went to Yathrib (Madinah) to seek advise from a priestess who lived there. She advised them to barter the life of ‘Abdullah with ten camels, the normal Diyat (Blood Money) for murder. She further advised them to go on adding ten camels till ‘Abdullah’s name was not picked.

'Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim and his family returned to Makkah and tried their luck again at the feet of Hubal.

Another draw was made between 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib and ten (10) camels.

Again, the 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib name was picked-up.

Ten camels were added to the lot.

Another draw by made.
This process was repeated many times.

Every time arrow with the name of 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib was selected.

Finally, a draw was made between 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib and one hundred camels.

This time the camels were picked up.

'Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim got this result verified.

One hundred camels were picked up three times in a row.

One hundred camels were slaughtered in exchange of 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib.

'Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim invited everyone to a grand feast.

After the grand feast, 'Abdul Muttalib took his youngest son 'Abdullah to the house of Wahb bin ‘Abd Manaf bin Zuhrah, the chief of Banu (Family of) Zuhrah of the Quraysh tribe.

‘Abdul Muttalib bin Hisham requested Wahb bin ‘Abd Manaf bin Zuhrah to marry his daughter Aminah bint Wahb with his son ‘Abdullah.

Wahb bin ‘Abd Manaf bin Zuhrah agreed to marry his daughter Aminah bint Wahb with ‘Abdullah, the youngest son of ‘Abdul Muttalib bin Hisham.

Their marriage was a simple affair.

After their marriage, 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib and Aminah bint Wahb lived together for three days in her house following the old Arab custom.

On the day when ‘Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib got married to Aminah bint Wahb, his father ‘Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim also got married.

‘Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim had married Halah bint Wahib, a cousin of Aminah bint Wahb.

Wahb bin ‘Abd Manaf bin Zuhrah, father of Aminah and Wahib bin ‘Abd Manaf bin Zuhrah, father of Halah were brothers.

Halah bint Wahib was about the same age as Aminah bint Wahb.

After spending a few days with his wife, 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib went to Sham with a trading caravan.

He fell sick on his return journey. His companions of that caravan left him in Yathrib (Madinah) for treatment and rest. He stayed there with the families of the maternal uncles of his father in Banu (Family of) Najjar.

The caravan returned to Makkah. They informed ‘Abdul Muttalib about the illness of his youngest son 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib. He immediately rushed his eldest son Harith to take care of ‘Abdullah. 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib died before his brother could reach there. He was buried in Yathrib (Madinah). 'Abdullah bin 'Abdul Muttalib died within a few months of his marriage. He was twenty-five years of age when he died.

His wife Aminah bint Wahb was expecting a baby, when he died. She gave birth to Muhammad S was a few months after the death of her husband ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdul Muttalib.

‘Abdullah bin ‘Abdul Muttalib left behind a few camels, sheep, some household goods and a maid named Umm Ayman for his wife Aminah.