The chiefs and other well-to-do persons among the Quraysh usually built their houses of
stones and had many rooms in them, with two doors on the opposite sides, so that the
womenfolk did not feel inconvenience in the presence of guests.
RECONSTRUCTION OF MAKKAH
Qusayy b. Kilab had played a leading role in the reconstruction and expansion of Makkah.
The Quraysh who had been dispersed over a wide area, were brought together by him in the
valley of Makkah. He allocated areas for settlement of different families and encouraged
them to construct their houses in the specified localities. The successors of Qusayy contin-
ued to consolidate the living quarters and to allocate spare lands to new families coming
into Makkah. The process continued peacefully for a long time with the result that the habi-
tations of the Quraysh and their confederate clans grew up making Makkah a flourishing
city.
THE CITY STATE
Qusayy b. Kilab and his had assumed a commanding position over the city and its inhabi-
tants. They were the custodians of the Ka'bah, had the privilege of Saqayah or watering the
pilgrims and arranging the annual feast, presided over the meetings of the House of Assem-
bly (Dar-al-Nadwa) and handed out war banners.
Qusayy b. Kilab had built the House of Assembly close to the Ka'bah with one of its doors
leading to the sanctuary. It was used both as a living quarter by Qusayy and the rendezvous
for discussing all matters of common weal by the Quraysh. No man or woman got married,
no discussion on any important matter was held, no declaration of war was made and no
sheet of cloth was cast on the head (104) of any girl reaching marriageable age except in this
house. Qusayy's authority during his life and after his death was deemed sacrosanct like
religious injunctions which could not be violated by anybody. The meetings of the House of
Assembly could be attended only by the Quraysh and their confederate tribesmen, that is,
those belonging to Hashim, Umayya, Makhzum, Jomah, Sahm, Taym, 'Adiy, Asad, Naufal and
Zuhra, whatever be their age, while people of other tribes not below the age of forty years
were allowed to participate in its meetings.
After the death of Qusayy, the offices held by him were divided between different fami-
lies. Banu Hashim were given the right of watering the pilgrims; the standard of Quraysh
called 'Aqab (Lit. Eagle) went to Banu Umayya; Bani Naufal were allocated Rifada; Banu
'Abdul-Dar were assigned priesthood, wardenship of the Ka'bah and the standard of war;
and Banu Asad held the charge of the House of Assembly. These families of the Quraysh
used to entrust these responsibilities to the notable persons belonging to their families.
Thus, Abu Bakr (t), who came from Banu Taym, was responsible for realizing blood-
money, fines and gratuity; Khalid (t) of Banu Makhzum held charge of the apparatus of war