Visit to Taif

70 miles away from Makkah). 10th year of the Prophethood/619/620 A.D

 Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” moved to

Taif for preaching.
 Abu Lahab became leader of Banu Hashim and banned Islamic preaching at Makkah.
 Taif is an oasis city near Makkah. At that time, it was a resort for the rich
people of Arabia with lush gardens and lavish display of wealth.
 Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” journeyed
with Zaid bin Harith (radi Allahu anho) to Taif for 14 days.
 He met three leaders (Abd Yalail, Mas’oud, and Habeeb) who misbehaved with him.
 The rich people of Taif were too busy in their worship of Laat to listen to
Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam”.
 The hooligans and rabble of Taif threw stones at Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-
un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam”
 They took shelter in the garden of Utbah and Shaibah
 Their slave Addas presented the grapes to him
 Jibraeel (alaihissalam) came with an Angel of mountains, who asked for permission
to destroy the people of Taif.
 Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” eforgave
them.
 On the way he saw some jinns
 Al-Mutim bin Adi gave shelter to the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-
Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” to enter Makkah.

Details

After the death of Abu Talib, Abu Lahab became leader of Banu Hashim, banned Islamic
preaching at Makkah and withdrew the support of his clan. Muhammad “Rasool Allah
Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” thought that the land of Makkah had
become barren to produce any more Muslims so he moved to Taif along with Zaid bin
Harith (radi Allahu anhuma) to preach Islam. Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin
SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” approached the family of Umair, who were famous amongst
the nobility of the town. But all of them rejected Islam and used abusive language to
the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam”. He met
many people and three leaders of Thaqeef, Abd Yalail, Mas’oud, and Habeeb who misbehaved
with him. One leader said, “I will tear the cover of Kabah (in anger) if Allah made
you the Prophet”. Another leader commented, “Allah did not find any person other than
you?” The third one said, “I will never talk to you, if you are the Holy Prophet of
Allah and I reject you, I will be destroyed. If you are a liar then I must avoid you.”
They rejected Muhammad Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi
Wasallam” and told the wicked children to stone the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-
un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” and expel him out of Taif so they stoned the
Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” to such an
extent that his shoes were filled with blood. They took shelter in the garden of Utbah
and Shaibah, 3 miles away from Taif, and the mob scattered. In the meantime, the owners
of the garden who had witnessed the whole episode, called their Christian slave named
Addas and sent through him a bunch of grapes to the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-
un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam”. Addas presented the grapes to the Holy Prophet
“Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” who took them, “In the
name of Allah.” Addas who had sat before the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-
Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” asked him what he recited. The Holy Prophet
“Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” asked him where his native
city and what his religion was to which he replied that he belonged to Nineva and was
a Christian. The Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi
Wasallam” then said, “You belong to the sacred city of Jonah, son of Matta” and Addas
asked in surprise how he knew Jonah, son of Matta and the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah
Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” said, “He was my brother. He was a
Prophet and I am also a Prophet.” On this Addas touched the Holy Prophet’s “Rasool
Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” feet and rubbed his eyes on them
and when on his return he was snubbed by his masters of defiling his religion, Addas
said, “O my master, there is nothing better than this on the earth. He told me something
which no one but a Prophet could know.”
Jibraeel (alaihissalam) came with an Angel of mountains who asked for permission to
destroy the people of Taif, but Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu
Alaihi Wasallam” denied and said, “I hope Allah will create such a generation from
these people, who will worship Allah and will not associate anybody with Him.”
When he was a short distance from Makkah, he stayed in the Hira’ Cave. He despatched
a man from Khuza‘ah tribe to various people to ask for the protection to enter Makkah.
All of them refused except Al-Mutim bin Adi, gave shelter to the Holy Prophet “Rasool
Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam”. He asked his people to prepare
themselves fully armed and then asked Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin
SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” to enter Makkah.
This visit of the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi
Wasallam” shows his love for Islam and fulfillment of his mission, his steadfastness
to preach even if he was insulted, his forgiveness for the people of Taif that he did
not let the Angel destroy them and his best wishes for the upcoming generations of
Taif.

Jinns accepted Islam

While returning to Makkah, in the Valley of Nakhlah (between Makkah and Taif) Muhammad
“Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” met some Jinns who
accepted Islam and were sent to preach in their areas. According to Abdullah bin Masoud
(radi Allahu anho), the Jinns, who met for the first time, were 7 or 9. It is said
that the total number of Jinns who accepted Islam was in thousands and they used to
fight against non-Muslim Jinns.

Isra

 Jibraeel (alaiyhissalam) told him;

 to circle the Holy Kabah seven times
 to pray two Rak’ats at the Station of Ibrahim.
 to pray at Yathrib
 to pray on Mount Toor/Tur
 to pray at Bait-ul-lahem (birth place of Isa (alaiyhissalam)
 He became leader for all the Holy Prophets and uncountable Angels in Masjid-e-
Aqsa
Pledges of Aqabah
Pledges of war (bait-ul-harb), 11 to 13 Year of the Prophethood/620 to 622 A.D.

 In the 11th year of Prophethood, there came 6 people of Khazrij tribe from Yathrib
to perform Pilgrimage (hajj) at Makkah.
 They had often heard from the Jews about the advent of a new Prophet therefore,
they accepted Muhammad Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi
Wasallam” and his religion, and promised to meet at Aqabah (in Mina) in the next
year.
 In the 12th year of Prophet-hood there came 12 people from Yathrib,
 they promised to avoid sins,
 they not only accepted Islam but also requested for a teacher.
 Mas’ab bin Umair (radi Allahu anho) and a few others were sent to teach them
about Islam.
 In the 13th year of Prophet-hood there came 75 people from Madinah,
 They not only accepted Islam and promised to avoid sins but also invited the
Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” and
his companions to Madinah.
 It is known as the plege of war. They promised to protect the Muslims and said,
“We will sacrifice our wealth and people in your favour.”
 After this invitation, Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu
Alaihi Wasallam” ordered his companions to gradually and secretly migrate to
Yathrib.

Details

When Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” realized

that the lands of Makkah and Taif are barren to produce more Muslims so he decided to
concentrate on the strangers and Pilgrims. In the 11th year of Prophethood the Holy
Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam”, along with Ali
and Abu Bakr (radiyallao anhuma) met 6 people of Khazrij tribe (Asad bin Zurarah, Awf
bin Harith, Rafi bin Malik, Qutbah bin Amir, Uqbah bin Amir and Jabir bin Abdullah)
who came from Yathrib to perform Pilgrimage (hajj) at Makkah and to get help of the
Quraish against Aus tribe, who defeated them in the Battle of Buaas. They happened to
meet Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” in Mina, he
told them about Islam and his Prophet-hood. Having heard this message, they were
spellbound as they often heard from the Jews about the advent of a Prophet. The Jews
used to threaten Aus and Khazrij, that with the help of a new Prophet they would crush
them. So the men of Khazrij tribe did not want the Jews to avail this opportunity,
therefore, they accepted the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu
Alaihi Wasallam” and his religion. They said, “Our community is divided by hatred and
they are enemy of one another. Allah may cement our ties through you. So let us go and
invite them to this religion of yours; and if Allah unites them in it, no man will be
dearer than you.” They promised to meet at Aqabah in the next year. When they reached
Yathrib, they came to know that the tribe of Aus also knows about Muhammad Prophet
“Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” and some of the people
had accepted Islam also, so both of the tribes agreed to meet the Holy Prophet “Rasool
Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam”.
In the 12th year of Prophet-hood there came 12 people from Yathrib who accepted Islam.
Five from the first group and other seven were: Yazeed bin Thalabah, from Khazraj. Al-
Abbas bin Ubadah bin Nadalah, from Khazraj. Abul Haitham bin At-Taihan, from Aws. Uwaim
bin Saidah, from Aws. Muadh bin Al-Harith, Ibn Afra, from Khazraj. Dhakwan bin Abd Al-
Qais, from Khazraj and Ubadah bin As-Samit, from Khazraj.
They promised:

 not to make any partner with Allah (Subhanahu wa-ta’ala),

 not to steal,
 not to commit adultery,
 not to kill their children and
 not to disobey the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu
Alaihi Wasallam”.

Details

They requested for a teacher; Mas’ab bin Umair (radi Allahu anho) and a few others
were sent to teach them about Islam. They also promised to meet in the next year as
well.
In the 13th year of Prophethood, there came 75 people from Yathrib, they not only
accepted Islam but also invited the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin
SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” and his companions to their town.
Abbas said, “You all know the position that Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin
SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” holds among us. We have protected him from our people as
much as we could. He is honoured and respected among his people. So if you think you
can carry out what you promise while inviting him to your town, and if you can defend
him against the enemies, then assume the burden that you have taken. But if you are
going to surrender him and betray him after having taken him away with you, you had
better leave him now because he is well defended in his own place.” Kab from Yathrib
replied: “Asked the Messenger of Allah about the principles over which they would take
a pledge. The Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam”
answered: 1. To listen and obey in all sets of circumstances. 2. To spend in plenty as
well as in scarcity. 3. To enjoin good and forbid evil. 4. In Allah’s service, you
will fear the censure of none. 5. To defend me in case I seek your help, and debar me
from anything you debar yourself, your spouses and children from. And if you observe
those precepts, Paradise is in store for you”. Here Al-Bara bin Marura said: “Oh yes,
we swear by Allah, Who sent you as a Prophet in Truth, that we will debar you from
whatever we debar our women from. Have confidence in us, O’ Messenger of Allâh. By
Allah, we are genuine fighters and quite reliable in war, it is a trait passed down to
us from our ancestors.” Then Abul Haitham At-Taihan interrupted and said: “O’ Prophet
of Allah! Between us and the Jews, there are agreements which we would then sever. If
Allah grants you power and victory, should we expect that you would not leave us, and
join the ranks of your people (meaning Quraish)?” The Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah
Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” smiled and replied: • “Nay, it would
never be; your blood will be my blood. In life and death I will be with you and you
with me. I will fight whom you fight and I will make peace with those with whom you
make peace.”
The entire meeting was conducted in secrecy, although the Makkans later came to know
about this treaty, in a fit of rage, they pursued the people of Yathrib but did not
succeed in catching hold of them.
Although the Quranic command for fighting had not yet been revealed, this pledge was
called bait-ul-harb (pledge of war) as they had agreed to fight, and if necessary
sacrifice their lives for the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu
Alaihi Wasallam”. Thus the Holy Prophet’s “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu
Alaihi Wasallam” efforts to find support, both ideological and physical, for his
mission bore fruit three years after his initial unplanned meeting with the six men
from Khazrij with this historical pledge.
After this invitation Muhammad “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi
Wasallam” ordered his companions to gradually and secretly migrate to Madinah, and
himself waited for Allah’s (Subhanahu wa-ta’ala) order. Except for a few, all of the
Muslims migrated to Yathrib.
Reasons to choose Yathrib for migration

 People of Yathrib invited the Muslims in the pledges of Aqabah.

 Islam was spreading very fast in Madinah.
 Climate and atmosphere of Madinah was very nice and it was a fertile land.
 Madinah had a central position in Arab, for business and for keeping an eye on
the Quraish.
 It was near Makkah so they could come back for the Pilgrimage (hajj).
 A very safe place.
 During the journey of Meraj, Jibraeel (alaihissalam) told him about his migration
to this place.

Reasons to invite the Muslims and Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi
Wasallam” to Yathrib

They called the Holy Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” to
win his support against the Jews.

They wanted a strong leader who could reconcile and unite them.

They did not like the Quraish to beat and disgrace their beloved Prophet “Rasool Allah Khatam-
un-Nabiyyin SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam” and his companions.

People of Yathrib, with the help of Makkan Muslims wanted to make Yathrib an Islamic state
instead of a Jewish one.

They wanted a role model and to learn Islam closely.