Trade and Security using Political diplomacy in late Arabia by Quresh: Reinterpreting the Historical significance of Quran’s term Elaaf

Abstract

The treaties under the name Elaaf occupy an important position in the economic, political and social history of pre-Islamic Makkah. Our study examines the role and multifaceted significance of Elaaf in facilitating the commercial activities of the Quraysh in contributing to the security and prosperity of Makkah. Attention is given to the traditional accounts concerning Hashim ibn ʿAbd Manāf, whose commercial initiatives, organization of seasonal caravans and diplomatic relationships are presented as important foundations for the development of Quraysh's trade networks. The study explores the relationship between Elaaf, and trade journeys of summer and winter mentioned in Sūrah Quraysh (106:1–4), as well as the wider network of tribal agreements, political and commercial interactions connecting Makkah with Syria, Yemen, the Red Sea region and neighboring powers. Classical Islamic sources associate these arrangements with security, freedom of movement, and the continuity of Quraysh's commercial activities in dominating position. The study further examines the economic, security, social, cultural, and political implications attributed to this bunch of treaties, including the consolidation of Quraysh's position in Makkah with the development of commercial relationships across the Arabian Peninsula. At the same time, modern scholarship raises questions concerning the extent of Meccan long-distance trade and the precise historical nature of the agreements traditionally associated with Elaaf. Accordingly, this study brings together Qur’anic evidence, classical Islamic historical biographical sources and modern academic scholarship to provide a critical examination of Elaaf treaties as a base for commercial security and diplomacy in pre-Islamic Arabia. It argues that, whether understood as a specific treaty or as a broader network of agreements and treaties. Elaaf, the bunch of treaties which provide an important framework for understanding the interaction of trade, security, diplomacy and social organization in early Makkah.