Seerah of the Prophet SAW ch 1
The feast
Abd al-Muttalib was a famous Makkan chief. He was wise and generous. People thought he was lucky because he had ten sons. He feared that one or more of them would die before enter-ing the age of youth.
He prayed to God and said, "O God, if all my sons remain alive and grow up, I will offer one of them as a sacrifice to you."
It so happened that all his sons grew up and entered the age
of youth. 'Abd al-Muttalib then remembered his vow. He took all of them to the Ka'bah to choose one for the sacrifice to God. 'Abd al-Muttalib also had several daughters. They were distressed to think that one of their brothers would soon be sacrificed. They all went to the Ka'bah to see which of their brothers would be acceptable to God as a sacrifice.
'Abd al-Muttalib went to the priests of the Ka'bah and ask-ed, "I had made a vow to God to sacrifice one of my sons. Please tell me which of my sons should be sacrificed to fulfill my vow."
The priests drew names and informed 'Abd al-Muttalib that 'Abdullah was the lucky one. He was chosen by God for sacrifice.
'Abd al-Muttalib, true to his word, agreed to offer 'Abdullah as a sacrifice. In doing so, he felt that the rest of his sons would live happily and his name and the family name would continue.
When 'Abdullah's sisters heard that he had been chosen for the sacrifice, they began to cry. 'Abdullah was a gentle and lov-ing brother. He was liked by both his family and the people of Makkah.
'Abd al-Muttalib's friends then approached him. "You should not sacrifice 'Abdullah. He is the most handsome and the mos gentle of your sons."
'Abd al-Muttalib said, "What can I do? I have made a pro mise to God and I have to keep my promise to God."
The priests pondered the problem and suggested, "A man' retribution, according to the Arab custom, is ten camels. W can draw lots between 'Abdullah and the ten camels, and see if God will accept ten camels instead of 'Abdullah as a sacrifice."
The lot was drawn and 'Abdullah's name appeared. Now 'Abd al-Muttalib had no doubts that God wanted 'Abdullah to be sacrificed.
The priests suggested, ""Abdullah is a handsome young man. God might accept twenty camels instead of ten for 'Abdullah."
Therefore, another drawing was held with the name of 'Ab-dullah and the twenty camels. Again, however, 'Abdullah's name was drawn.
It seemed that 'Abdullah's life had to be sacrificed. The priests said, "Let us try with thirty camels. Maybe God will accept thirty camels as a sacrifice, and 'Abdullah's life will be saved."
'Abd al-Muttalib readily agreed. The lot was drawn and it was 'Abdullah once again.
The priests added ten more camels and it continued in this way until 'Abd al-Muttalib finally promised one hundred camels.
The lot was drawn and this time, one hundred camels were ac-ceptable as compensation for 'Abdullah. 'Abd al-Muttalib and his family were very pleased by this decision. The life of his lov-ing 'Abdullah was saved.
Everyone in Makkah rejoiced at the news. One hundred camels were slaughtered. There was a big feast. Everyone had enough to eat.
'Abdullah later married Aminah, the daughter of Wahb ibn 'Abdu Munaf. 'Abdullah and Aminah had one son, Muham-mad (S) 'Abdullah died before Muhammad's birth. Aminah died when Muhammad (S) was six years old.
People often told this story and said that God wanted to save 'Abdullah because the last prophet was to rise in his family.
