and Mount Ḥirā’ remains where it stands, with their mutual support extending even to the necessities of life. Quraysh therefore called that league “the Pact of al-Fuḍūl,” remarking, “These men have entered upon a decisive course.” They then went straight to al-ʿĀṣ ibn Wāʾil, wrested the Zubaydī’s goods from him, and restored them to their owner.
On that occasion al-Zubayr ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib recited:
I swear we shall forge a pact against them,
Though we all share a single abode;
And when we seal it we shall name it al-Fuḍūl—
A bond by which the stranger is honored among his neighbors.
All who dwell around the Sacred House shall know
That we repel oppression and bar every disgrace.
He also said:
The men of al-Fuḍūl pledged and joined in oath
That no tyrant should remain in Mecca’s vale.
Upon this they covenanted and firmly agreed:
The neighbor and the wayfarer alike are safe among them.
Qāsim ibn Thābit relates in Gharīb al-Ḥadīth that a man from Khathʿam came to Mecca for ḥajj—or perhaps for ʿumrah—bringing with him a daughter named al-Qatūl, one of the most beautiful women on earth. Nubayh ibn al-Ḥajjāj seized the girl and spirited her away. The Khathʿamī cried, “Who will help me against this man?” and was told, “Appeal to the Pact of al-Fuḍūl.”
He therefore stood by the Kaʿbah and called out, “O men of al-Fuḍūl!” They came hurrying from every direction, swords drawn, saying, “Relief has arrived—what is the matter?” He answered, “Nubayh has wronged me in my daughter and carried her off by force.” They accompanied him to Nubayh’s door. When Nubayh came out they said, “Hand over the girl, wretch! You know who we are and what we swore.” He replied, “I will—but allow me to enjoy her for this one night.” They retorted, “By Allah—no, not even the tiniest drop of milk from a she-camel!” So he brought her out to them, reciting:
My friends departed, yet I gave no greeting to Qatūl;
I did not bid them a gracious farewell.
But when the men of al-Fuḍūl pressed hard to protect her,
You behold me now, fearing al-Fuḍūl no more.