Setting
Beware! Every object of pride of the pre-Islamic times, whether it is blood-vengeance or property, or mentioned or claimed, has been put under my feet, except the supply of water to pilgrims and the custody of the House
Beware! Every object of pride of the pre-Islamic times, whether it is blood-vengeance or property, or mentioned or claimed, has been put under my feet, except the supply of water to pilgrims and the custody of the House
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Beware! Every object of pride of the pre-Islamic times, whether it is blood-vengeance or property, or mentioned or claimed, has been put under my feet, except the supply of water to pilgrims and the custody of the House." He then said: "Beware! The blood-money for unintentional killing, such as is done with a whip and stick, is one hundred camels, forty of which are pregnant."
[Authentic hadith] [Narrated by Ibn Majah]
Explanation
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said in his speech on the Day of the Conquest of Makkah that everything that is proudly mentioned of the pre-Islamic times is void and worthless. The only exceptions are supplying pilgrims with water and serving the Sacred House. These two things would maintain their previous status. In the pre-Islamic times, the Hijābah (general maintenance of the Ka‘bah) belonged to the Banu ‘Abd Ad-Dār, and the Siqāyah (providing water for the pilgrims) belonged to the Banu Hāshim. So the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) approved such assignments. Then he mentioned that the semi-intentional killing, which is to hit someone with a tool that does not kill, such as a whip or a stick, entails full blood money, meaning one hundred camels, forty of which are pregnant.