The Boycott

1. Events of Socio-Economic Boycott

2. Reasons of retiring to Shib Abi Talib
3. Lessons from the reactions of Prophet (PBUH) and others
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Events of Boycott

Q (a) Write an account of the Boycott faced by a few tribes and individuals at Makkah. [10]

P1: Causes
P2: Events of Boycott and Valley (Shib Abi Talib)
P3: Lifting of Boycott

P1:
- Open Preaching by Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and Insecurities of Quraish. (S,R,F)
- Opposition and persecution on Prophet (PBUH) and his followers.
- Escape of followers to Abyssinia and failure of Quraish to bring them back as Najashi supported
Muslims.
- Muslims gained strength and confidence after the conversion of followers like Hazrat Hamza and
Hazrat Umar.
- When Quraish could not stop Prophet (PBUH), his followers and the growth of Islam they
threatened Abu Talib:
a) to stop his nephew from preaching
b) to withdraw security from him
c) to hand over his nephew to them else face social and financial boycott.
- Abu Talib spoke to the Prophet (PBUH).
- Prophet (PBUH)’s historical words.
- Abu Talib continued his support for his nephew.

P2:
- Quraish held a meeting in the quarters of Banu Kinana.
- There they decided to boycott few tribes and individuals.
- The Major factor of the Boycott; those who had cut themselves from the religion of Makkah, they
should also be cut from society and businesses of Makkah.
- Members included: a) Banu Hashim b) Banu Mutallib c) Prophet (PBUH) d) Their supporters
- Members excluded: a) Abu Lahab b) Umme Jameel c) Their sons
- Restrictions in Boycott;
a) Social restrictions; no social contact, no eating or drinking, no marriages, no mingling, gathering,
and helping.
b) Financial restrictions; no business with Muslims, the prohibition of buying and selling for them.
- It was the 7th year of prophethood.
- The details were written on the parchment which was signed by 40 leaders of Quraish.
- The parchment was hung on the wall of Ka’bah to declare the boycott of few clans and their
supporters.
- Abu Talib took all to a valley belonged to him; Shib Abi Talib.
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- He allowed followers of prophet (PBUH) to stay in the valley.

- Difficulties at Shib Abi Talib during the years of Boycott.
a) Heat
b) Lack of water supplies
c) Lack of Food
- The food was arranged by the following channels:
a) Caravans b) Sacred Months c) By Generous Members of society especially from the relatives of
Hazrat Khadija (RZ). (Hakim ibn Hizam smuggled food and was caught by Abu Jahal)
- At times they ate Leaf or Leather when they could not receive food.
- The growth of Islam (Prophet tried to preach at the fair of Ukaz but usually failed due to the
intervention of Abu Lahab and his threats)

P3:
- After three years, some generous members of Quraish opposed the boycott. (Hisham bin Amr, Al-
Mutim, Zuhayr bin Abi Umaiya, Abu Bukhtari and Zamah bin Al-Aswad)
- Negotiations started between Quraish and Abu Talib.
- Quraish demanded Abu Talib to hand over his nephew to them.
- Abu Talib challenged Quraish to prove his nephew wrong.
- The story of eating of the Parchment by termites except the word of ALLAH.
- (54:2) Al- Qamar “But if they see a Sign, they turn away and say This is continuous Magic”
- As promised and taking eating of the parchment as a sign from Allah, Quraish announced the lifting
of the boycott.
- It was lifted in the 10th year of Prophethood.
- Soon after the lifting of boycott Abu Talib and Hazrat Khadija (RZ) died in 10 th year of prophethood.
- Year of Grief.

Q (b) What lessons do we learn from this event? [4]

- Loyalty to Husband (Hazrat Khadija)

- Keeping Promise (Abu Talib)
- Patience (from Prophet (PBUH) and his followers)
- Steadfastness/determination (from prophet’s attempts of preaching)
- Obedience to the leader and unity.

Q (b) Why Abu Talib took all to the valley belonged to him? [4]

- For the security of Mohammad (PBUH)’s life.

- To keep his promise of protecting Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
- To avoid getting hurt unnecessarily by the cruel members of society.
- To avoid being a burden on the kind members of society.
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Quotations
“But if they see a Sign, they turn away and say This is continuous magic.” (54:2) Al-Qamar.