Episode Summary
Following the progressive worsening of conditions in Makkah and daily harassment from leaders like Abu Jahl, the Prophet (saw) sought a strategic sanctuary in the city of Ta'if. Accompanied by Zayd bin Haritha, the fifty-year-old Prophet undertook a grueling seventy-mile journey on foot through mountainous terrain. Upon arrival, he was met with arrogance and mockery from the three brothers who led the Banu Thakeef tribe. The mission turned into a physical trial when the leadership orchestrated a brutal three-mile stoning that left the Prophet severely bloodied. The episode concludes with a profound display of Prophetic mercy, where he refused an offer of divine retribution against the city, choosing instead to pray for the guidance of their future generations.
Key Highlights
- The Prophet traveled 70 miles on foot with Zayd bin Haritha to seek an ally and sanctuary in Ta'if.
- Three influential brothers leading Ta'if mocked and dismissed the Prophet’s message with extreme disrespect.
- Leaders of Ta'if hired street thugs to stone the Prophet for three continuous miles during his departure.
- Zayd bin Haritha was struck in the head and injured while attempting to shield the Prophet from the rocks.
- The Prophet’s injuries were so severe that his leather sandals were crusted to his feet with dried blood.
- The Angel of Mountains offered to crush the city between two mountains, but the Prophet chose to pray for their children instead.
Comprehensive Analysis
1. The Decision to Seek Sanctuary in Ta’if
Conditions in Makkah became a daily trial for the Prophet, characterized by mockery, insults, and filth placed on his doorstep. In one instance at the Haram, Abu Jahl attempted to choke the Prophet while he was in sujood, only to be stopped by Abu Bakr. Seeking a refuge and a strategic ally, the Prophet looked toward Ta’if, the second major city of Arabia and home to the powerful Banu Thakeef tribe. Ta’if was a religious center housing the idol Al-lat, and the Prophet hoped that if its people accepted Islam, the city could provide a sanctuary for the Makkan believers.
2. A Humble Seventy-Mile Journey
Equipped with meager means and no money for transportation, the fifty-year-old Prophet set out on the seventy-mile journey on foot. He was accompanied by Zayd bin Haritha, the third person to convert to Islam, who was then in his early to mid-20s. For ten days, they traveled through mountainous regions and miles of desert to reach the city. The Prophet acted with the utmost respect, scheduling appointments with the city’s leadership for a week before attempting to engage with the general community.
3. Rejection by the Three Brothers
The Prophet specifically sought a meeting with three brothers—Abd a’lil, Mas’ud, and Habib—who were the sons of the late leader Amr bin Umair. Their responses were marked by extreme arrogance: the first brother claimed he would rip the cloth of the Ka’bah to shreds if God had truly sent the Prophet; the second mocked him by asking if God could not find any other messenger; and the third refused to speak to him at all, claiming that if he were a messenger, he was too dangerous to reject, and if he were a liar, he was beneath his status. Realizing preaching was currently futile, the Prophet requested a quiet departure, but the brothers refused.
4. The Three-Mile Ordeal of Stoning
The leadership of Ta’if hired street thugs to line the highway in two rows for three miles as the Prophet exited the city. Carrying rocks and stones, they targeted the Prophet’s feet with every step he took. Zayd bin Haritha jumped in front of the Prophet to deflect the rocks and was struck in the head, causing him to bleed. The Prophet pushed Zayd aside to protect him, noting that while the thugs might not kill a member of the Banu Hashim, they would not hesitate to kill a “nobody” like Zayd. For nearly an hour, the Prophet was pelted with dozens of stones while walking with his luggage.
5. Injuries at the Gardens of Qablal Manazan
By the time they reached the gardens of Qablal Manazan, the Prophet was severely injured, with blood running down his legs and arms. His leather sandals were so soaked and crusted with blood that he had to literally peel and scrape them off his feet. Under the shade of a tree, in this agonizing condition, the Prophet prayed two rakat and made a heart-wrenching dua, complaining to Allah of his weakness, lack of support, and humiliation. He sought refuge in the light of Allah’s face, stating that as long as Allah was not displeased with him, he did not care what he faced.
6. The Offer of Retribution and Divine Mercy
In response to this dua, Jibril descended with the Angel of the Mountains. The angel informed the Prophet that he was at his disposal and offered to command the mountains to collide and crush the people of Ta’if. Demonstrating his role as a mercy to the worlds, the Prophet replied, “No, I have no ill will toward these people.” Instead of seeking retribution, he made dua that Allah would bring forth a progeny from those people who would worship Allah alone and not associate any partners with Him. This act transformed a moment of brutal treatment into a legacy of hope and mercy.