CHAPTER 8
Can you imagine how you'd feel if your country imposed a complete economic blockade on your country for three years?
Indeed, this is what occurred to the early Muslims in Makkah between the seventh and tenth years of the Prophet's mission. The Quraish imposed a complete economic and social blockade on them. They fled their homes and eventually settled in a small valley in the Makkah hills to escape the siege.
Should Recent Reverted Muslims Start Calling Each Other by Different Names?
Some Western countries make it difficult for Muslims and converts to the faith to find gainful employment.
In Europe, for instance, people with Muslim names are statistically less likely to be offered a job than those with other names.
Some businesses and organisations will not hire a Muslim woman who wears a hijab.
Such are some of the difficulties that newly professed Muslims may encounter.
But how can recent converts get past this?
Here's an instance of this in action.
Sometimes, a recent Muslim convert will insist on adopting a new name from the religion. A person's name is significant to who they are, but it has nothing to do with their Muslim identity. A Western convert to Islam should continue using their given name and make a seamless transition to Muslim life. In other words, use your head and avoid bringing stress into your home.
To what end is the boycott being put in place?
The leaders of the Quraish tried to talk with Prophet Muhammad one last time after Hamza and Umar converted (peace be upon him).
To stop preaching his faith, their representative ‘Utbah gave him wealth, power, and leadership.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) responded by reciting the first verses of Surah Fussilat, Chapter 41 of the Qur’an. When he reached verse 16, where Allah (SWT) says:
So We sent upon them a screaming wind during days of misfortune to make them taste the punishment of disgrace in the worldly life; but the punishment of the Hereafter is more disgracing, and they will not be helped. (41:16)
Ibn Utbah told Muhammad (peace be upon him):
Invoking both Allah and the sanctity of the womb, I implore you to desist lest the disaster strike the people of Quraish. He went back to his comrades to share the news he had just received. (The Protected Honey)
The chiefs of Makkah convened to determine their next move after this final attempt failed. They gave their stamp of approval to an updated boycott scheme designed to put pressure on Prophet Muhammad's clan and kin, the Bani Hashim and the Bani Abdel Muttalib.
Totally Social and Economic Blockade
They documented the rules of the boycott and hung them inside the Ka'bah, which comprised an entire economic blockade. This meant that Bani Hashem and Bani Abdel Muttalib could not engage in commercial activity with the other groups. Marriage and other social interactions with Muhammad's followers were banned until his tribe handed up the prophet for execution.
In response to this unfair and aggressive arrangement, Abu Talib acted prudently. He escaped to Shi'b Abi Talib, a valley on the outskirts of Makkah. Muslims and non-Muslims alike from the Banu Hashim and Banu Abdel Muttalib tribes followed their leader to that valley. The Prophet's other uncle, Abu Lahab, was the lone exclusion.
As much as three years passed under this terrible ban. The only food they had came from some compassionate non-Muslims in Makkah. Among them were Lady Khadijah's nephew Hakeem ibn Khuzam and Al-Mot'am ibn ‘Adi. They would send them a camel with food and other necessities every couple weeks or so. But it was so inadequate that starving Muslims resorted to eating tree branches.
To alleviate their hunger, the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions would bind boulders to their tummies. They continued to decline in health and physical strength with each passing day. Keeping your head above water for so long under those conditions may have seemed impossible, but help was on the horizon.
Relief After Hardship
As Abu Talib led the Muslims in the valley, they remained steadfast in the face of persecution for nearly three years. In spite of this, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) kept going. Despite the danger, he walked out to greet the pilgrims and businesspeople from all around Arabia. Next, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would extend an invitation to convert to Islam.
As the situation grew more dire and the Muslims' health deteriorated, the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed for protection from their attackers. A terrible drought hit Makkah after this prayer. As a result of their severe embargo, many locals saw this as divine retribution.
In the ninth year, during the month of Muharram, five non-Muslims in Makkah who were against the embargo got together. They made a decision to take action to break the siege. Their initial strategy was to work to alter how the general public perceived the agreement. When they arrived at the agreed-upon spot near the Ka'bah, they went to see Abu Jahl. They all came out publicly against the boycott.
That's When the Miracle Occurred
It appears that they were successful, as people's attitudes against the boycott began to change. Simultaneously, something truly incredible occurred. The angel Gabriel notified the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that the ants had eaten the treaty, which had been kept inside the Ka'abah. Except for the name of Allah, they'd devoured it all.
Abu Talib believed his nephew would never lie, so he dared the rulers of Makkah to verify the claim. He informed them he would give over his nephew if they opened the Ka'bah and found the contract unbroken. They would have to end the boycott if this were true. They agreed and the Ka'bah was opened so the story could be checked.
They found the entire treaty in anthills, much to their dismay. The only thing that wasn't changed was the word for “Allah” (bismika Allahum).
As a result, the Muslims were able to return to their houses in Makkah and the siege was lifted. After such a trying trip, some people returned in terrible shape. Lady Khadijah, the Prophet's wife, and Abu Talib, the Prophet's elderly uncle, were among them.
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