During a dispute with the Quraysh over the well of Zamzam, Abdul Muttalib made a vow to Allah. He promised that if Allah gave him ten sons to grow up and defend him, he would sacrifice one of them.
Years later, when his sons had reached adulthood, he told them he was a man of his word and had to keep the vow. The son to be sacrificed was Abdullah, who was about 16 or 17 at the time. Abdul Muttalib brought Abdullah before the Ka'bah to carry out the sacrifice. The Quraysh stepped in and told him he could not do this, because Abdullah was the most beloved of his sons. They urged him to consult one of their priestesses to find a way out.
The priestess advised that lots be drawn between Abdullah and ten camels. Each time the lot fell on Abdullah, ten more camels were added. When the camels reached one hundred, the lot finally fell on the camels instead, and Abdullah was ransomed.
Outcome: Abdullah was ransomed with one hundred camels, after the lot had fallen on him each time until the camels reached that number.
Established 100 camels as the customary price of a life among the Arabs, later confirmed as the shari'ah amount of diyah (blood money) for manslaughter. Abdullah, the father of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was spared to father him.
O Allah, if You give me ten sons who grow up to defend me, then I vow to sacrifice one of them for You.
Made amid the dispute over Zamzam, when war nearly broke out between Abdul Muttalib and his relatives over rights to the well.