Boycott

The Makkans were infuriated by various events that occurred during 615 and 616.These
included the success of migration to Abyssinia, and the conversions of Umar and Hamza.
Moreover a pact was drawn up between Banu Muttalib and Banu Hashim to immunize
Muhammad [pbuh] and shield him against any treacherous attempt to kill him.Another reason
was Muhammad’s [pbuh] refusal to negotiate any sort of compromise.Due to this the Quraysh
started thinking of ways to stop the spread of Islam.

Therefore the pagans of Makkah held a meeting in a place called Wadi Al-Muhasab, and formed
a confederation hostile to both Bani Hashim and Bani Al-Muttalib. They decided not to have any
business dealings with them nor any sort of inter-marriage.Social relations, visits and even
verbal contacts with Muhammad [pbuh] and his supporters would discontinue until the Prophet
[pbuh] was given up to them to be killed. The articles of their proclamation, which had provided
for merciless measures against Bani Hashim, were committed to writing by an idolater, Bagheed
bin ‘Amir and then suspended in Al-Ka‘bah. The Prophet [pbuh] invoked Allâh’s wrath upon
Bagheed, whose hand was later paralyzed.Abu Lahab was not included in this boycott due to
his opposition for Islam.

Abu Talib wisely decided to withdraw to a valley on the eastern outskirts of Makkah. Banu
Hashim and Banu Al-Muttalib, who followed suit, were thus confined within a narrow pass (Shi‘b
of Abu Talib), from the beginning of Muharram, the seventh year of Muhammad’s mission till the
tenth year,a period of three years. It was a stifling siege. The supply of food was almost stopped
and the people in confinement faced great hardships.

The idolaters used to buy whatever food commodities entered Makkah lest they should leak to
the people in Ash-Shi‘b, who were so overstrained that they had to eat leaves of trees and skins
of animals. Cries of little children suffering from hunger used to be heard clearly. Nothing to eat
reached them except, on few occasions, some meagre quantities of food were smuggled by
some compassionate Makkans like Hakim bin Hizam who was the nephew of Khadija. During
‘the prohibited months’ when hostilities traditionally ceased, they would leave their confinement
and buy food coming from outside Makkah. Even then, the food stuff was unjustly overpriced so
that their financial situation would fall short of finding access to it.

Abu Talib was so much concerned about the personal safety of his nephew. Whenever people
retired to sleep, he would ask the Prophet [pbuh] to lie in his place, but when all the others fell
asleep, he would order him to change his place and take another, all of which in an attempt to
trick a potential assassin.Abu Bakr, Umar and Khadija were always by the side of the Prophet
too.

Despite all odds, Muhammad [pbuh] persisted in his line and his determination and courage
never weakened. He continued to go to Al-Ka‘bah and to pray publicly. He used every
opportunity to preach to outsiders who visited Makkah for business or on pilgrimage during the
sacred months and special seasons of assemblies.
After 3 years the quraysh started to review their decision.Some people like mutum bin
adi,zama bin Al aswad and zuhair started some struggle to finish this ban.They thought
that it was unfair that the two clans of Hashim and Muttalib were facing persecutions.
Meanwhile,Abu talib went to the quraysh and said,I have brought you a fair proposal.My
nephew has told me that the document of yours has been eaten by the termites and
only Allah's name is left on it.If this is the truth then this pact will be ended but if it is a lie
I will hand over my nephew to you".

To their surprise they found out that truly the pact had been eatun up except the name
of Allah.The proclamation was thus abrogated, and Muhammad [pbuh] and the other
people were permitted to leave Ash-Sh‘ib and return home in 619.

In the context of this trial to which the Muslims were subjected, the polytheists had a
golden opportunity to experience a striking sign of Muhammad’s Prophethood but to
their miserable lot they desisted disbelief:"But if they see a Sign, they turn away, and
say ‘This is continuous magic."

After this event the Prophet had to face a tragedy.Two of his most beloved supporters
Khadija and Abu Talib died and the Prophet lost clan support.The Prophet was so
aggreived that he named this year the year of grief.