The story of Hind bint Utbah, a prominent woman of the Quraysh tribe, provides a fascinating glimpse into the social customs, honor codes, and superstitions of pre-Islamic Arabia. It is a tale of accusation, tribal loyalty, and a remarkable prophecy that would echo through history.

The Accusation

Hind bint Utbah was married to Al-Fakih ibn al-Mughirah, one of the noble young men of the Quraysh tribe. Al-Fakih owned a guest house, a common and prestigious feature of Arabian hospitality in Mecca, which was open to visitors without prior permission. This practice reflected the tribal values of generosity and social connection that defined pre-Islamic Arabian society.

One day, the house was empty, and Al-Fakih lay down with Hind inside. Al-Fakih then rose to attend to some need. While he was gone, a man who frequented the guest house entered. When he saw Hind, he immediately turned and fled.

When Al-Fakih returned and saw the man running away, he rushed to Hind, struck her with his foot in anger, and demanded with fury, “Who was the man who just left your presence?”

Hind, who claimed she had been asleep and had not noticed the man, replied with composure, “I saw no one. I did not wake up until you woke me.”

Al-Fakih, convinced of her infidelity, told her, “Go back to your father’s house.” This was a severe form of rejection in Arabian society, equivalent to a public repudiation.

The Tribal Ordeal

The incident became the subject of much gossip among the people of Mecca. Hind’s father, Utbah ibn Rabi’ah, a wise and respected elder of the Quraysh, approached his daughter with concern.

“My daughter,” he said, “the people have spoken much about you. If the man is telling the truth, we will secretly arrange for him to be killed, and the gossip will cease. But if he is lying, I will take him to one of the soothsayers (Kahins) of Yemen to judge the matter.”

Hind replied with conviction, “By God, he is not telling the truth about me.”

Utbah then confronted Al-Fakih, saying, “You have accused my daughter of a grave matter. Let us take our dispute to one of the soothsayers of Yemen.”

Al-Fakih agreed. He set out with a group from his tribe, Banu Makhzum, while Utbah traveled with a group from his tribe, Banu Abd Manaf, accompanied by Hind and several other women. This was a significant journey, as both parties were willing to submit to the judgment of a neutral third party—a common practice in tribal Arabia.

The Test of the Soothsayer

As they neared the soothsayer’s territory, Hind’s demeanor changed noticeably. Her father observed her anxiety and asked, “I see your condition has changed. Is this because you fear some evil?”

She replied thoughtfully, “No, by God. But I know that you are going to a human being who sometimes errs and sometimes speaks the truth. I do not trust him not to brand me with a mark that will be a disgrace upon me forever.”

Utbah reassured her with the wisdom of a father, “Do not fear. I will test him first.”

Utbah then devised a clever test. He whistled to his horse until it urinated. He secretly took a single grain of wheat and inserted it into the horse’s urethra, then tied it off. This hidden object would serve as a test of the soothsayer’s true ability to perceive hidden things.

When they arrived, the soothsayer welcomed them warmly and offered them food. After they had eaten, Utbah said, “We have come to you with a matter, and we have hidden something from you to test your ability.”

The soothsayer paused thoughtfully, then said, “You have hidden a fruit in a vulva.”

Utbah said, “I want a clearer answer than that.”

The soothsayer then declared with precision, “A grain of wheat in the urethra of a stallion.”

Utbah was satisfied. The soothsayer had demonstrated genuine insight. He then instructed, “Now, look into the matter of these women.”

The Prophecy

The soothsayer began to approach each woman, striking his hand on her shoulder and telling her to rise. As he moved through the group, he offered observations about each woman. When he reached Hind, he struck her shoulder and declared with solemnity:

Al-Fakih immediately rose and took Hind’s hand, ready to take her back as his wife, believing the soothsayer’s words vindicated her honor. But Hind pulled her hand away from his and said with determination, “Stay away from me! By God, I would rather that prophecy be fulfilled by someone other than you!”

This moment reveals Hind’s character—she was not simply interested in clearing her name; she was determined to choose her own destiny. She rejected Al-Fakih, choosing instead to marry a man more worthy of her ambitions.

The Fulfillment of Destiny

Shortly thereafter, Hind divorced Al-Fakih. She later married Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, one of the most powerful men of the Quraysh. From this marriage, she gave birth to Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, who would indeed become a powerful ruler in Islamic history. Mu’awiyah founded the Umayyad Caliphate and ruled the Islamic empire for nearly two decades, fulfilling the soothsayer’s prophecy in a way that neither Hind nor her father could have fully anticipated.

This story illustrates the complex role of women in pre-Islamic Arabian society—their vulnerability to accusation, their dependence on family honor, and yet their capacity for agency and determination in shaping their own futures.

Historical Significance

The story of Hind bint Utbah provides valuable insights into pre-Islamic Arabian culture:

• Honor and Reputation: A woman’s honor was intimately tied to her family’s reputation and social standing. Accusations of infidelity were serious matters that could result in divorce and social ostracism.
• Tribal Justice: Disputes were often resolved through consultation with soothsayers or other neutral authorities, reflecting the absence of centralized legal systems in pre-Islamic Arabia.
• Women’s Agency: Despite their limited legal status, women like Hind could exercise agency in choosing their marriages and shaping their destinies.
• Prophecy and Destiny: The belief in prophecy and divine knowledge was deeply embedded in Arabian culture, influencing major life decisions.