Part 10 of The Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): The Boycott of the Hashim Clan
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| Part 10 of The Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): The Boycott of the Hashim Clan |
Frustrated by their failed attempts to halt the spread of Islam, the leaders of Quraysh gathered once again to strategize a new plan. This time, they aimed to completely isolate the Prophet (PBUH) and his followers by enforcing a harsh economic and social boycott against the entire Hashim clan, regardless of whether they were Muslim or not. The goal was clear: to break their spirit, force them to abandon the Prophet (PBUH), and make Muhammad (PBUH) surrender his mission.
The leaders of the Quraysh met at a place known as Dar al-Nadwa, the council hall where decisions regarding the tribe were made. Led by the likes of Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan, and others, they drafted a pact, a written document that outlined the terms of the boycott. It declared that no one would buy from, sell to, or marry into the Hashim clan. They also agreed to cut off all forms of social interaction and refuse any form of assistance or protection.
The document was signed and hung inside the Ka'bah, as a symbol of its binding nature. The Quraysh believed that by enforcing this boycott, they would be able to isolate the Muslims completely, cutting off their resources and pressuring them to abandon their support for the Prophet (PBUH).
The boycott began with full force. The Hashim clan, which included both Muslims and non-Muslims who chose to support the Prophet (PBUH), were forced to leave Makkah and take refuge in a small valley on the outskirts of the city, known as the Valley of Abu Talib. The valley was barren, with little food or water, making it a harsh place to live, especially for the elderly, women, and children.
Despite the harsh conditions, the Muslims and their supporters displayed incredible patience and resilience. They stood by the Prophet (PBUH), refusing to forsake their faith or their commitment to him. They shared whatever little they had, rationing their food and water. Often, they had to resort to eating leaves, leather, and whatever scarce resources they could find. The cries of hungry children could be heard in the night, echoing through the valley, a heart-wrenching reminder of the cruelty of the Quraysh's actions.
The Prophet (PBUH) and his companions continued to find solace in prayer and their trust in Allah’s plan. The Prophet (PBUH) would spend hours in supplication, seeking Allah’s guidance and mercy, reassuring his followers that their suffering was not in vain and that relief would soon come.
While the Quraysh leaders enforced the boycott strictly, not everyone in Makkah supported this cruel treatment. There were a few noble-hearted individuals who recognized the injustice of the situation. Among them was Hisham ibn Amr, who, despite being a non-Muslim, could not bear to see the suffering of the Prophet’s (PBUH) family and followers. He would secretly smuggle food and supplies into the valley, risking his safety to help those in need.
Hisham knew he needed to rally more support to end the boycott. He approached other influential figures in Makkah who had compassion and a sense of justice, such as Zuhayr ibn Abi Umayyah, Mut'im ibn 'Adi, and others. Together, they began to plot a way to bring the boycott to an end. They started by spreading the idea that the boycott was inhumane and against the values of their tribe.
As the boycott dragged on for nearly three years, the situation became increasingly dire. The Prophet (PBUH) continued to encourage his followers, reminding them of the stories of the past prophets and their struggles. One day, he informed his uncle Abu Talib of a revelation he had received from Allah. He told Abu Talib that Allah had sent termites to the document of the boycott hanging inside the Ka'bah, and these termites had eaten away everything on the document except for the name of Allah.
Abu Talib, though not a Muslim, trusted the words of his nephew. He went to the leaders of Quraysh and proposed a challenge. He suggested that if Muhammad (PBUH) was proven right and the document had indeed been damaged by the termites, they should end the boycott immediately. However, if it was found intact, then Abu Talib would surrender Muhammad (PBUH) to the Quraysh.
The leaders agreed, confident that the document was safe within the Ka'bah. They retrieved the document, and to their shock, they found it just as the Prophet (PBUH) had described. The termites had eaten away all the words except "Bismillah," the name of Allah. This miraculous incident left the Quraysh leaders speechless. They had no choice but to end the boycott, lifting the restrictions on the Hashim clan.
Though the boycott had officially ended, its impact on the Muslims was profound. Many had suffered greatly, and their physical health had deteriorated due to the lack of food and resources. The Prophet’s (PBUH) beloved wife, Khadijah, had grown weaker, her health severely impacted by the harsh conditions she endured during the boycott. His uncle, Abu Talib, who had been a staunch protector of the Prophet (PBUH), was also greatly weakened by the ordeal.
Despite the hardships, the Muslims emerged from the boycott with a stronger faith and a deeper commitment to their cause. The Quraysh, having failed once again to suppress the message of Islam, realized that this new faith was not a passing phenomenon but a deeply rooted belief that continued to attract followers.
As the Prophet (PBUH) and his followers emerged from the valley, it marked the end of one chapter of their struggles and the beginning of another. Though the boycott had ended, the trials were far from over. The Quraysh would soon escalate their efforts, targeting the Prophet (PBUH) and his mission with renewed hostility. However, the experience of the boycott had only strengthened the resolve of the Muslims. They were now more determined than ever to spread the message of Islam, undeterred by the opposition they faced.
The end of the boycott marked a turning point in the Seerah of the Prophet (PBUH), as the Muslims prepared to face the new challenges ahead, armed with their unshakeable faith and trust in Allah. It was a lesson in patience, perseverance, and the enduring power of belief, laying the foundation for the future growth of Islam in the face of all obstacles.