Banu Kinanah (بنو كنانة) was a large and influential Arab tribe in the west of the Arabian Peninsula, settled chiefly in the region of the Hijaz around Mecca. They descended from Kinanah ibn Khuzaymah and formed the tribal grouping from which Quraysh later emerged, and they therefore belong to the foremost Adnani Arabs, descended from Ismail عليه السلام.
Banu Kinanah played a key role in the history of Mecca before Islam and formed the wider tribal confederation that protected the Kaabah and the pilgrimage, together with other leagues and clans in Mecca.
Tribal lineage and standing
According to the classical Arab genealogies, Kinanah ibn Khuzaymah ibn Mudrikah ibn Ilyas ibn Mudar was the forefather of Banu Kinanah. Quraysh itself is a branch of this tribe, descended from Fihr ibn Malik, so that Kinanah may be regarded as the larger tribe to which the ancestors of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ belonged.¹
This lineage gave Banu Kinanah prestige, religious standing and respect in Mecca and the region.
Role in Mecca before Islam
For centuries Banu Kinanah was seen as a protective force around Mecca and the Kaabah. They guarded the sacred months and were known for their sense of honour, their tribal discipline and their involvement in the rites surrounding the pilgrimage.
They worked closely with Banu Khuzaa and later with Quraysh in the administration of Mecca. Their influence was felt in:
- The protection of the trade routes
- The guarding of the sacred precincts and months
- Judges and arbiters in conflicts between the tribes
They also had a reputation as proud warriors and a proud tribe, which became visible in various events of the sirah.
Well-known historical events
The War of al-Fijaar
One of the great events in which Banu Kinanah was involved was the War of al-Fijaar, a conflict between Quraysh (as a part of Kinanah) and Qays Aylan.²
The young Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was himself present at this war, handing arrows to his uncles. This conflict plays a part in understanding the political and military dynamics of Mecca before the revelation.
The boycott against Banu Hashim
At the beginning of Islam, some leaders of Quraysh and of the wider tribe of Kinanah joined the infamous boycott against Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib, the clan of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.³
The pact was hung up inside the Kaabah and was meant to block social interaction, trade and marriage with the family of the Prophet ﷺ.
Many members of Kinanah were involved, but some finally rose to break the pact when Allah caused the parchment document to be consumed by an insect, except for the name of Allah.⁴
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
During the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah, Banu Kinanah was present, since Quraysh and her allies, including representatives of Kinanah, came to the treaty.⁵
Banu Bakr, a branch of Kinanah, joined Quraysh in this, which later played a crucial role when they attacked Banu Khuza’a, a violation that led directly to the Opening of Mecca.⁶
Religion before Islam
Like the other tribes of the Hijaz, they originally followed the pure religion of Ibrahim عليه السلام, but with the introduction of idolatry into Mecca by Amr ibn Luhayy al-Khuzaa’i they fell into idolatry and rites that no longer accorded with tawhid.
Even so, they continued to attach honour to the sacred months and the Ka’bah, and regarded themselves as guardians of its sanctity.