by The great fair’s of the Arabs like Ukaz, Mijannah and Dhu al-Majaz would attract prominent tribal figures, traders and students of history from around the peninsula. Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) like Umar ibn Al-Khattab were very keen to attend these fairs to increase their wealth and knowledge of the tribes.
The fairs known as hubs for trade where also known for their great literary contests in which eloquent masters of history would retell the battles and conquests of the tribes in dramatic fashion. These verbal discussion helped to protect the history of the tribes through constant repetition but would also result in animosity between the tribes that would result in enmity, aggression and the occasional tribal war. Ukaz itself was a direct cause of four wars which were known as the wars of al-Fijar’. [1]
Notes
- Jump up↑ ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab: Hayatuhu, llmuhu. Adabuhu, by Dr. ‘Ali Ahmd al-Khateeb, p. 153.