Social Life
Mohamed shared the life of his people and, without design on his part or theirs, he was growing more and more honored and esteemed among them. His great goodness of heart was very engaging and he had a manliness that commanded respect and admiration.

At that time Quraysh were very much occupied by the Kaaba, for a great flood had come down from the mountains and affected its foundations. They knew that they would have to rebuild it, but who would dare approach the sacred edifice? They all shied away in awe and fear. At last one of their leading men, AI-Walid ibn al-Mughira, called upon the gods of the Kaaba, then took a pick-axe and pulled down a part of the wall. People waited until the next day to see if anything would happen to him. When no evil befell him, they felt it was a sign that they had permission to rebuild it. So they all began to pull down the walls and carry them away. Each sub-tribe of Quraysh was in charge of pulling down a wall and then rebuilding it. Mohamed joined in the work. When they reached certain hard rock that the pick-axe would not cut into, they stopped and used that as the new foundation. They brought down blue granite from the mountains to build the walls. When the walls became as high as a man they decided that it was time to put the sacred Black Stone in its place before continuing the construction. But who among the tribes of Quraysh would have the honor of putting the stone in its place? Arguments began, and then a dispute sprang up between them. The matter threatened to bring about a civil war for the clans swore solemn oaths and made covenants against each other.

When Abu Umayya of Banu Makhzum saw that matters were getting out of control, and being the oldest and wisest among them, he said,

“Wait, and let the first man who enters be the arbiter between you.”

They waited in jealousy and hostility to see who would pass by. They saw Mohamed approach. Mohamed was of such upright nature, so frank and sincere that his tribe had called him “the Truthful”. Now they all agreed to let him be the arbiter.

“The Truthful,” they said,

“We accept his arbitration.”

They related their story to him, each from his own point of view. He could see the fire of hostility in their eyes.

“Bring me a cloak,” he said.

When it was brought to him he placed the sacred Black Stone upon it, then he asked the head of each clan to carry one side of it so that they all shared the honor. They carried it to the place made for it, and then Mohamed took it from the garment and put it in its place. Thus the threat of strife was averted.

The Quraysh continued to build the Kaaba, making it eighteen cubits high, and then they placed Hubal, their chief idol, in it together with all the precious things that were liable to be stolen. They made its door above the ground in such a way to let in whom they wanted and gave it a roof. Thus the Ancient House of Abraham and Ishmael was rebuilt.

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