Arabia Before Islam
12 of 14 · Mid-6th century CE · The Ka'bah, Makkah
The Vow and 'Abdullah
Before his birth · 550 CE
The historians report that 'Abd al-Muttalib vowed that if he were given ten sons who grew to manhood, he would sacrifice one of them at the Ka'bah. Years passed, his sons grew up, and he resolved to keep his word. Lots were drawn before the idol Hubal, and the name that came out was 'Abdullah — his youngest and, it is said, his most beloved.
As he led 'Abdullah towards the place of sacrifice, the men of Quraysh and the boy's maternal relatives of Banu Makhzum stopped him, warning that if he did this, every father would follow his example. They suggested consulting a wise woman, who advised offering camels as a ransom: ten at a time, drawing lots between the camels and the son until the lot fell on the camels.
The lot kept falling on 'Abdullah until the number reached one hundred. Then, at last, it fell on the camels. A hundred camels were slaughtered and left for people and animals to eat, and 'Abdullah lived. Centuries later, Islamic law would set the blood-money for a life at a hundred camels.
A single life was ransomed at great cost — and from that life would come the Prophet ﷺ.
Have you ever made a promise you later realised should not be kept as made? How did you resolve it?
- Ibn Hisham, al-Sirah al-NabawiyyahHistorical report
- Ibn Sa'd, al-Tabaqat al-KubraHistorical report
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