~in the Prophet's ﷺ early 20s (age 20), during Dhu al-Qa'dah
A merchant of the tribe of Zubayd (from Yemen) sold goods to al-As ibn Wa'il, a rich Qurashi chieftain, before hajj, on the promise of payment afterward. Al-As repeatedly delayed paying him until the man realized he would not be paid. Having appealed unsuccessfully to several Quraysh subtribes for help, he made his grievance public by reciting a poem at the Ka'bah, appealing to the "family of Fihr" (Quraysh) for justice. Al-Zubayr ibn Abdul Muttalib, on hearing this, convened the senior members of the Quraysh at the house of Abdullah ibn Jud'an, where they agreed to a pact to side with the oppressed against the oppressor, regardless of tribe. Being unable to write, they sealed the pact by dipping their hands in perfume and touching them to the Ka'bah, hence its other name, Hilf al-Mutayyabin ("the Pact of the Perfumed Ones").
The Prophet ﷺ, then about 20 years old, was the youngest participant. He later affirmed, after the start of his prophethood, that he was proud to have witnessed it and would honor it again if called upon. Also called Hilf al-Mutayyabin.
Other events recorded around the same time. Their order within the year is not established; use the storyline above for the sequence.
Why did they have to get involved in a matter that is fuduli (none of their business)?
Said on hearing that the Quraysh had formed a pact to side with the Man of Zubayd against him.
يا آلَ فِهْرٍ لِمَظْلُومٍ بِضَاعَتُهُ بِبَطْنِ مَكَّةَ نَائِي الدَّارِ وَالنَّفَرِ وَمُحْرِمٍ أَشْعَثٍ لَمْ يَقْضِ عُمْرَتَهُ يَا لَلرِّجَالِ وَبَيْنَ الْحِجْرِ وَالْحَجَرِ إِنَّ الْحَرَامَ لِمَنْ مَاتَتْ كَرَامَتُهُ وَلاَ حَرَامَ لِثَوْبِ الفَاجِرِ الغُدَرِ
O family of Fihr (Quraysh)! I am one who has been unjustly treated because of my merchandise! I am in the valley of Makkata, far away from my home and away from people to protect me! I am still in my ihram! My hair is not combed nor have I finished my Umrah! Where are my men to help me? Between the Hijr and the Hajar you are doing this to me! The true Haram belongs to those who are noble! There is no sanctity to the one who wears a thobe while he is a traitor!
Recited publicly at the Ka'bah after al-As ibn Wa'il refused to pay him for merchandise sold before hajj, appealing to the Quraysh for justice.
I witnessed in the house of Abdullah ibn Jud'an a treaty that, were I asked to uphold it even in Islam, I would do so, and I would not be willing to give up my place in it for a lot of red camels. In that treaty, they all agreed that rights would be given back to the one who deserves them, and that no oppressor would have an upper hand over the one who is oppressed.
Recalled after the start of his prophethood ﷺ, affirming his pride in having witnessed the pact.