Ilyas ibne Mudar
His given name was Habib. When he was born, Mudar was old and feeble. Therefore he started calling the child as Ilyas. His mother’s name was Rabab binte Heeda. After Mudar he became the head of the tribe. He was remembered with the titles of Kabeer al Qaum and Syed al Ashira. He was highly respected in the Ibrahimi Clan and his life was a mirror of the Faith—the Deen e Hanif. Later on, the Prophet of Islam (s.a.) bore witness to his Faith in the following words:
“Don’t talk ill of Ilyas. He was a possessor of (strong) Faith.” Ref: Seerat e Halabiah Vol 1, Page 17 The popularity that he achieved with his exemplary behavior has no peer in his period. Diyar Bakri writes about him:
“The Arabs used to respect Ilyas the same way as they respected Luqman and scholars and intellectuals of that caliber. “”
The Arab tribes had total faith in his sagacity and all the disputes between the tribes were brought to him for arbitration. His greatest achievement is that he revived the fading Ibrahimi Faith and banished the defects that had entered in its practice. He made sincere efforts to make the progeny of Ismail to follow the Faith of Ibrahim. Yaqoobi writes:
“Ilyas was the first person to point out that the progeny of Ismail had abandoned the traditions (Sunnat) of their forbears. He performed such good acts that after Udd none in the Progeny of Ismail had done. He turned the progeny of Ismail towards the practices of their forbears to an extent that they all revived in totality.”
Ref: Tariq e Yaqoobi, Vol 1, Page 227
Ilyas suffered from the ailment of tuberculosis. His wife, Laila binte Halwan, known as Khandaf, resolved that if Ilyas succumbed to his illness, she would spend the rest of her life in the wilderness and would never sit under a shade. When Ilyas expired, she left to the forest and spent her time crying and wailing for him. Particularly on Thursdays she used to sing requiems in her husband’s memory from sunrise to sunset. That was the day when Ilyas had died.
Ilyas left behind three sons— Umro, Aamir and Omair. These three sons, in that sequence, were known as Mudarka, Tabaqa and Qamha respectively. Ilyas’ sons and the tribes under them are known as Bani Qandaf.
Mudarka ibne Ilyas
His real name was Umro and the patronym (Kunyat) was Abul Hazeel. His mother’s name was Laila binte Halwan Qaziya. The reason why Mudarka was given this name was that once his father Ilyas went with his family into the wilderness. When they halted during the journey, one rabbit came into the midst of the camels. This disturbed the camels Umro chased the rabbit and caught it. Thus he was named Mudraka or the “one who got it”. There is another belief that he was given this name because he got all the good characteristics of his forbears. Therefore Diyar Bakri says: “His name is Mudraka because he acquired all the privileges of his
father and grand-father.”
Ref: Tarikh e Khamees Vol 1, Page 150
He was the keeper of the high ideals of his ancestors and the inheritor of their greatness. Thus he achieved the position of eminence in the Arab society. Yaqoobi writes:
“Mudarka ibne Ilyas was the leader of the progeny of Nazar and his eminence and greatness was very much evident. Ref: Tareeq e Yaqoobi Vol 1, Page 229
He left behind two sons: Hazeel and Khazima.
Khazima ibne Mudarka
His Kunyat was Abul Asad and his mother was Salma binte Aslam Qaziya. Following the Faith, Deen e Hanif, has all along been the
characteristic of this family. Like his ancestors, he too strictly followed the Faith of Ibrahim. In Arab lands there was the custom of tribal suzerainty. For generations this family held this privilege. Yaqoobi writes that among the Arab rulers he held a very privileged position. The Arabs acknowledged his eminence. He left behind three sons: Asad, Hoon and Kanana.
Kanana ibne Khazima
His Kunyat was Abu Nazar and his mother’s name was Awaz binte Saad. He became the chief of the tribes of Arabia after Khazima. He was a possessor of sterling qualities of the head and heart. He was so brilliant that it is difficult to assess his capabilities. The Arabs used to hold him in awe and respect because of his sagacity and generosity. Allama Halabi writes about him:
Kanana was a revered person of high status and because of his erudition and knowledge the Arabs emulated him.
Ref: Seerat e Halabia, Vol 1, Page 16
The historians record about his generosity that he never ate his food alone. He always made it a point to have one or many guests at every meal. If he chanced to eat alone, he would imagine having a guest with him and after taking every morsel, he would put another on a stone put near him! The following are a few of his words of erudition and learning:
“Many faces create illusion with their outward good looks. Their appearance is something and the reality is something else! Judge the foul acts and don’t go by the deceptive appearance. Keep an eye on the character of persons!”
Ref: Seerat e Halabia, Vol 1, Page 16
Nazar ibne Kanana
His real name was Qais. But because of his extreme good looks and the radiance of face, he was called Nazar— the good looking! His Kunyat was Abu Yaqlad. His mother’s name was Bara binte Murr. Some historians are of the view that he was the first to be remembered with the title of Qureish. They say that it is his progeny that later on came to be called the Qureish. There are several reasons for remembering him as Qureish. One reason being the men of his tribe being present at his table for the morning and evening meals. Because of these gatherings he was giver the title of Qureish, which literally means one who likes to gather people. Another reason attributed to this title is that he had the habit of looking around for needy persons to provide them food and assistance. In the Arabic language Taqreesh means to search and provide relief. Another belief is that he was once going by boat to some place. His companions saw a very large sea animal, called Qureish. He attacked the animal with his sword and killed it. The companions brought it to Mecca and put it on the peak of the hill, Abu Qabees. Whosoever saw this spectatle, he said, “Qatl al Nazar querishaNazar has killed the Qureish!” He was given the title of Qureish because of this event. A poet says::
Qureish is an animal that lives in the sea. Hence Qureish is named thus after it!Abu Hanifa Dinoori writes in Akhbar al Tawaal that when Alexander reached Makka from Yemen during his campaign of conquests, he met Nazar ibne Kanana. At that time in history, Bani Qhaza-aa were in control of Makka. Alexander asked Bani Qhaza-aa to leave Makka and go elsewhere. He entrusted the care and control of Makka to Nazar and his brothers. He also gave gifts to the progeny of Ma-ad ibne Adnan.
Nazar, on assuming reins, concentrated on moral and economic reforms. He kept a severe watch on lawless acts of people. He punished acts of tyranny on innocent people by men in powerful positions. Some historians record that he enforced a fine of one hundred camels on those who committed murders.
He left behind two sons, Malik and Yaqlad. Some historians talk of another son by name Salat.
Malik ibne Nazar
His Kunyat was Abul Harith. His mother was Atika binte Adwan. Some historians mention her name as Akarsha. Some others have clarified that her given name was Atika and Akarsha the nickname. Malik, after his father Nazar, is considered the most popular and influential ruler of Arab lands. Diyar Bakri writes about him:
“His name was Malik for the very reason that he was the possessor of influence and control in Arabia..”
Ref: Tariq e Qamis, Vol 1, Page 162
Malik was a follower of the Faith of Ibrahim. He meticulously followed the ways of his ancestors. He had three sons: Harith, Shaiban and Fahr.
Fahr ibne Malik
His Kunyat or filial appellation was Abu Ghalib and his mother was Jandla binte Harith Jarhami. Some historians say that his given name was Qureish and his title was Fahr and he only was the forbear of the tribe of Qureish. Ibne Abdarba writes:
“The tribes of Qureish trace their origin to Malik and don’t go beyond him.”
Ref: Aqd al Fareed, Vol 1, Page 209
He was endowed with great erudition and learning. He had achieved great heights in learning during the lifetime of his father. He succeeded to the position of his father on his demise. He was known for his bravery and valor. During his rule, Hisan bin Abd Kalal of Yemen came with a huge army of Yemeni and Hameeri troops and attacked Makka. His intention was to demolish the Kaaba, take its stones to Yemen and reconstruct the Kaaba there. His plan was to demolish the sanctity of Mecca and make Yemen the place for Haj Pilgrimage. When Fahr learnt about the intentions of the Yemeni army, he gathered the Arab tribes under his banner and entered the field of battle to confront Hisan’s hordes. There was fierce fighting between the two armies. Fahr lost one of his sons, Harith, during this battle. In the end the Yemenis were comprehensively defeated. Hisan was taken prisoner and was released after three years on paying a huge ransom. On the way to Yemen he died. This was how the Nature destroyed the enemy of Kaaba and its keeper emerged victorious.
Among Malik’s words of wisdom, his advice to Ghalib, his son, about adopting frugal ways is worth mentioning:
“The little wealth that you have in your hands is better than huge hoards that might reduce your respect ( in the society).” Ref: Seerat e Halabiya, Page 16 Fahr had four sons: Ghalib, Maharib, Harith and Asad.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 