Abu Ghabshan

Abu Ghabshan, real name Salim ibn 'Amr al-Khuza'i was a custodian of the Kaaba during pre-Islamic Arabia. He was from the Banu Khuza'ah tribe that was ruling Mecca at the time. Abu Ghabshan held the keys to the Kaaba before they were passed on to the Quraysh.
Abu Ghabshan plays a humorous role in Arab literature, due to his regret in handing over the keys of the Kaaba to the chief of Quraysh, Qusayy ibn Kilab.

Biography

His name is Salim ibn 'Amr al-Khuza'i, but was given the name Abu Ghabshan. Taqi al-Din al-Fasi gives his full name as Salim ibn 'Amr ibn Luayy ibn Malkan ibn Aqasha ibn Haritha ibn 'Amr ibn 'Amir and from there his lineage may be traced back to 'Amr ibn Luhayy.

Dispute with the Quraysh

When he was intoxicated after drinking wine, Abu Ghubshan sold the keys of the Kaaba to Qusayy ibn Kilab in exchange for a packet of wine. Qusayy then announced to the public that the official role of custodianship of the Kaaba had been transferred to the descendants of Ishmael. When Abu Ghubshan came back to his senses, he demanded the keys to be returned, but Qusayy firmly denied his request; the Banu Khuza'ah attempted at using military force to retrieve the keys but Qusayy defeated them.

In Arab literature

In the world of Arab literature, Abu Ghabshan is viewed as a humorous character. His regret of giving the keys of the Kaaba to Qusayy while drunk is the reason why the Arabs had the popular sayings "More regretful than Abu Ghabshan," "a bigger loser than Abu Ghabshan" or "surpassing Abu Ghabshan's foolishness." A poem about Abu Ghubshan has also been transmitted: