The Boycott

Frustrated by the spread of Islam and the protection Abu Talib offered the Prophet, the Quraysh formed a coalition. They drafted a document imposing a total social and economic boycott on the clans of Banu Hashim and Banu Muttalib. No one was to marry them, trade with them, or sell them food.

The document was hung inside the Ka'bah. For three years, the Prophet, his family, and the believers were besieged in the valley of Abu Talib (Shi'b Abi Talib). They suffered from extreme hunger, eating leaves and leather to survive. The cries of starving children could be heard throughout Mecca.

Despite the suffering, the Prophet continued to preach. Finally, a group of fair-minded Meccans rose up to annul the unjust pact. When they went to tear down the document, they found that termites had eaten it entirely, leaving only the words 'In Your Name, O Allah'.