Qusayy ibn Kilab

The chief who gathered Quraysh at Mecca and united the services of the Ka'ba in his own hand; the fourth ancestor of the Prophet on the father's side.

His original name was Zayd. The epithet Qusayy, from the root qasw meaning to be far off, was given to him because he grew up in a distant land.

After returning to Mecca he married Hubbâ, the daughter of Hulayl b. Hubshiyya of the tribe of Khuzâ'a, and took over the services of the Ka'ba from his father-in-law.

With the help of the tribes of Kinâna and Qudâ'a he assumed the government of Mecca. Because he brought together in Mecca the scattered branches of Quraysh he was called al-Mujammi', the gatherer.

In the year 440 he founded the Dâr al-Nadwa, the assembly place where the Meccans deliberated on their common affairs.

He gathered into his own charge the chief offices connected with the Ka'ba and the pilgrimage: the qiyâda (command of the army), the liwâ (bearing of the standard), the hijâba (keeping the key of the Ka'ba), the nadwa (presidency of the council), the siqâya (giving water to the pilgrims) and the rifâda (feeding the pilgrims).

His children were 'Abd al-Dâr, 'Abd Manâf, 'Abd al-'Uzzâ, 'Abd Qusayy and his daughter Hind; the lineage of the Prophet reaches him by way of his son 'Abd Manâf.

He died around the year 480.

His Circle of Influence — The order he established at Mecca continued in the form of the sharing out of the offices of the Ka'ba and of the government of the city among the branches of Quraysh from generation to generation; the Dâr al-Nadwa remained the decision-making centre of the city until the rise of Islam.

His Tomb and Complex — He was buried in the Hajûn cemetery at Mecca and his grave became a place of visitation.