Describe the following events in the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH):

The Boycott (616-619 A.D)

Year of grief(619 A.D)
Visit to Al-Taif (620 A.D)
THE BOYCOTT
Why?
• All threats, persecution and attractive enticement failed to uproot Islam.
• Quraysh were dismayed over their defeat in Abyssinia.
• Under these circumstances, two influential Makkans i.e. Hazrat Hamza (RA) (the uncle of the Holy Prophet
PBUH) and Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (RA) converted to Islam and so now Muslims started to pray openly in the
Sacred Mosque.
• The pagan Makkans were extremely disappointed.
• They asked Abu Talib to hand over the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to them but he refused to do so.
• Thus, in 616 AD they decided to impose a total social and economic boycott on the entire Banu Hashim and
Banu al-Mutalib.
What?
• Their members were to be treated as outcasts.
• The Muslims as well as non-Muslim members of Banu Hashim and Banu Al Mutalib, with the exception of Abu
Lahab, were forced to withdraw from Makkah and live in She’eb Abi Talib.
• The other clans from the Quraysh would not:
• Marry their daughters;
• Do business/transaction with them;
• Keep company with them;
• Nor would they accept any peace proposals from these two clans until they handed over the
Holy Prophet (PBUH).
• This document was hung in the Holy Ka'bah.
• The boycott proved to be devastating.
• They were unable to buy food from the Makkans, so they found themselves reduced to eating leaves and roots.
• The situation became so terrible that the cries of starving women and children echoed over the valley.
• Sympathizers did not dare to smuggle food because of fear of punishment.
• Hakim bin Hazam, however, managed now and then to send some flour to his aunt, Hazrat Khadija (RA).
• Many caravans carrying food and other goods passed by the mountain pass where the Muslims and the exiled
clans lived.
• However, they could only come out to meet the caravans to buy food during the forbidden months.
• Despite such grim circumstances, the Holy prophet (PBUH) never ceased inviting non-Muslims to Islam.
• He (PBUH) was particularly active during the time of pilgrimage.
• He would speak to tribes that had traveled to Makkah from all over Arabia.
OUTCOME AND IMPORTANCE
• At last, some kind hearted Makkan chiefs began to feel sorry and a group of five leaders pressurized Abu Jahl to
cancel the cruel and unjust treaty.
• Negotiations were held in the Sacred Mosque where Abu Talib was also present.
• They decided to lift the boycott as termites had eaten the document inside the Holy Ka’bah except for the words
“In Your Name O Allah”
• It was lifted in 619AD (10th year of Prophethood).
• The boycott taught Muslims patience and tolerance and made them ready to defeat the persecution of Quraysh
with even stronger faith.
• This event created disunity among pagans as some rigid Quraysh wanted to maintain the boycott but on the
other hand some kind hearted men wanted to lift it.

YEAR OF GRIEF
 • At the end of the Boycott, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had to bear the loss of his two greatest supporters, Abu Talib
and Hazrat Khadija (RA).
• Holy Prophet (PBUH) declared this year i.e. 619 AD, as the “year of grief”.
• Both of them had served him greatly in his mission.
• Hazrat Khadija (RA) had been his partner in life, mother of his children and had always provided him with
undying support. He (PBUH) said “she gave me home when I was alone, she placed her wealth at my disposal
when I was poor, she believed me when the whole world rejected me’’.
• Abu Talib was like a father to him, and a strong pillar of support in his mission especially after prophethood.
• He was also the tribal leader of Banu Hashim because of which the Quraish could not hurt the Holy Prophet
(PBUH) beyond a limit nor take his life.
• Abu Talib’s death marked the end of this protection as the new chief of Banu Hashim was Abu Lahab and he
refused this unconditional shelter.
• The Makkans now increased their persecutions.
• Under these circumstances, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) adopted a new strategy. He preached Islam to
1. Non-Makkans
2. & he also restricted the meetings and worships to Dar-e-Arqam as public display made the Quraish lash
out even more violently.

VISIT TO AL-TAIF
• Holy Prophet (PBUH) had been preaching the message of Allah to the people of Mekkah for 10 years but still the
number of Muslims who converted to Islam were less.
• The persecution became severe on the Muslims after the death of Hazrat Khadija (RA) (who supported the Holy
Prophet (PBUH) morally & financially) and his uncle Abu Talib (who was the head of the clan and protected him
(PBUH)).
• Abu Lahab became the new leader of Banu Hashim, and since he was anti Islam persecution increased
immensely.
• Thus, Holy Prophet (PBUH) was looking for a new place where his (PBUH) teaching could be accepted.
• He was accompanied by his companion and adopted slave, Hazrat Zaid bin Harith.
• He (PBUH) gave the message of Oneness of Allah to the Chiefs of Taif who were the worshiper of the goddess of
“Al-Latt”.
• He (PBUH) stayed there for several days to preach Islam e.g He (PBUH) preach Islam in the market of Taif.
• However, they rejected his message and treated him harshly.
• Boys chased Holy Prophet (PBUH) & pelted him with stones as he left.
• He (PBUH) was so badly injured that his shoes were filled with blood.
• Hazrat Zaid (RA) was also injured while protecting the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
• They took refuge in an orchard which belonged to two brothers named Utbah and Shebah.
• Although they were anti-Islam yet they felt sorry for Prophet (PBUH) and sent bunch of grapes for him (PBUH)
through their Christian slave named Addas. Before eating the grapes, he (PBUH) recited Bismillah, “In the name
of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”. Addas was surprised and asked about it. He informed the Holy
Prophet (PBUH) that he was from the land of Hazrat Younas (RA) (from where Addas belonged). He (PBUH) told
him that he was the messenger of Allah, just like Hazrat Younas (RA). Inspired with the teaching of Holy Prophet
(PBUH), he accepted Islam.
• Angel Gibrael and Angel of Mountain offered to destroy the town for him (PBUH). However Prophet (PBUH)
said : “Why should I pray for the destruction of these people, I’m sure their posterity will surely be among the
followers in One Allah”
• He (PBUH) prayed for their guidance and forgave the people of Taif as he (PBUH) said “I have been sent as a
blessing to the entire mankind”. This shows the merciful nature of the Prophet (PBUH).
• On his way back to Mekkah he (PBUH) also performed prayers at Nahla, where some Jinns heard the recitation
of the Holy Quran. Inspired with the words of Allah, they accepted Islam.
• To reach Mekkah safely, he (PBUH) asked three tribes for protection. Two of them rejected, however, the tribe
Mutadim bin Adi agreed and escorted he (PBUH) Safely to Holy Kabah.
• After the siege of Taif(630A.D), many delegations came from Taif and embraced Islam.