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[I]-History and Background | [II]-The arrival of Prophet | [III]-Introducing Islam, and friends turn foe | [IV]-The first Hijrah | [V]-The boycott of Muslims | [VI]-Islam Spreads | [VII]-The Second Hijrah, to the Madina | [VIII]-Madina, the new Islamic center | [IX]-Islamic Battels: Badr | [X]-Islamic Battels: Uhud | [XI]-The time: 3rd-4th years of Hijrah
[V]-The boycott of Muslims
Islam began to spread among the tribes. The Quraysh were so concerned that they decided to write a document containing a ban on the Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib. They declared that they would not marry the women of these clans or give any in marriage to them, or sell them any goods or buy anything from them. The Quraysh displayed the parchment announcing the ban inside the Ka'bah in order to give it authority.
In the She'b Abi TalibWhen the Quraysh did that, the Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib gathered round Abu Talib and joined him in his quarters in a narrow valley of Makkah. It was the seventh year of prophethood. However, Abu Lahab ibn Abdul-Muttalib left the Banu Hashim and aligned himself with the Quraysh.
For many months the Banu Hashim lived in misery. The boycott was so rigorously applied and food was so scarce that they had to eat the leaves of trees. Their hungry children's cries could be heard all over the valley. The Quraysh told the merchants not to sell any goods to them. Prices were increased to prevent them from buying even essentials.
They remained in that state for three years. Apart from some kind Qurayshi people who secretly sent food to them they were totally abandoned. The Messenger of Allah was in the same predicament but he continued to call his People to Allah night and day, secretly and openly and the Banu Hashim remained patient.
The boycott endsA group of fair-minded Quraysh, led by Hisham ibn Amr ibn Rabi'ah, hated this unfair boycott. Hisham was highly respected among his people. He contacted some men of the Quraysh whom he knew to be kind-hearted and considerate. He told them it was shameful to allow such tyranny to continue. He asked them to abandon the unjust contract. When he had persuaded five men to agree, they met together to work towards this end. When the Quraysh were assembled the next day, Zuhayr ibn Abi Umayyah, whose mother was 'Atikah bint Abdul-Muttalib, faced the people and demanded, 'People of Makkah! Do we eat and clothe ourselves while the Banu Hashim are perishing, unable to buy or sell! By Allah, I will not sit down until this unjust document is torn up!'
Abu Jahl entered the discussion to disagree but no one supported him. Al-Mut'im ibn Adi went to the Ka'bah to tear the document down. He found that insects had eaten it all except for the words, 'In Your name, O Allah.' The Prophet had already told Abu Talib that Allah had given white ants power over the document. Now it was declared invalid.
The deaths of Abu Talib and KhadijahSoon after the end of the boycott, in the tenth year of prophethood, Abu Talib and Khadijah died. They had been good companions noted for their loyally, support, and devotion. Abu Talib, however, never became a Muslim. At this time, troubles fell on the Messenger of Allah one after another.