The social boycott against early Muslims stands as one of the most grueling trials in the history of the Prophetic mission. During the Makkah period, the rapid growth of Islam—marked by the pivotal conversions of Hamzah and ‘Umar—alarmed the Quraish leadership.
When Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) refused to compromise his message, and the clans of Banu Hashim and Banu Al-Muttalib pledged to protect him, the polytheists realized that direct assassination would trigger a bloody civil war. Instead, they opted for a weapon that was slower but more devastating: total economic and social isolation.
The Decree of the Boycott: A Merciless Pact
The pagans of Makkah convened at Al-Muhassab valley and formed a hostile confederation. They drafted a formal pact declaring that no one should marry into, trade with, or even speak to the members of Banu Hashim and Banu Al-Muttalib. This was not merely a social snub; it was a calculated attempt to starve the Prophet and his supporters into submission or death.
The articles of this merciless proclamation were written by Bagheed ibn ‘Amir and hung inside the Ka’bah to give the document a religious sanctity. The Prophet invoked Allah against the writer, whose hand subsequently became paralyzed—a grim omen of the injustice he had helped codify. Faced with this existential threat, Abu Talib led the two clans to a narrow mountain pass on the outskirts of Makkah known as Shib Abu Talib.
Three Years of Stifling Siege at Shib Abu Talib
From the seventh to the tenth year of the Prophetic mission, the Muslims and their non-Muslim clan protectors remained confined. This period of the social boycott against early Muslims was characterized by extreme deprivation. The Quraish would intercept all food caravans entering Makkah, buying up the supplies at inflated prices to ensure nothing reached the besieged valley.
The suffering was so profound that the cries of hungry children could be heard echoing through the pass. The companions were forced to eat the leaves of trees and the dried skins of animals to survive. Only during the “Sacred Months”—when Arab tradition forbade all fighting—were they able to emerge to seek food, though the Quraish merchants would often price their goods far beyond what the starving families could afford.
Unshakable Determination in the Face of Fear
Despite the physical toll, the Prophet’s resolve remained ironclad. He used the Sacred Months to preach to the tribes visiting Makkah, and even within the pass, his spirits remained high. Abu Talib, fearful of assassination attempts, would famously have the Prophet change beds with others during the night to confuse any potential killers.
This period highlighted the incredible loyalty of the Prophet’s followers and family. Even those members of Banu Hashim who had not yet embraced Islam stood by him out of tribal honor and a sense of justice, enduring the same starvation as the believers.
The Alliance Against Injustice
After three years, the conscience of several Makkans began to stir. Hisham ibn Amr, who had been secretly smuggling wheat into the valley at night, began to organize a small group of influential men to break the pact. These five leaders—Hisham ibn Amr, Zuhair ibn Abi Omaiyah, Al-Mutim ibn Adi, Abu Al-Bukhtari, and Zam`ah ibn Al-Aswad—decided to challenge the Quraish assembly publicly.
Zuhair stood before the Ka`bah and rebuked the crowd for enjoying fine food and clothes while their own kin perished from hunger in the mountains. Despite the fierce protests of Abu Jahl, the group stood their ground, accusing the leaders of Quraish of writing an unjust and unapproved pact.
A Miraculous Sign of Divine Abrogation
While the argument raged, Abu Talib approached the assembly. He shared a revelation given to the Prophet: that Allah had sent ants (or termites) to eat the parchment hanging in the Ka’bah. The Prophet claimed that every word of injustice, every clause of the boycott, and every mention of the pagan gods had been consumed, leaving only the name of Allah (“Bismika Allahuma”) untouched.
Abu Talib made a daring proposition: “If my nephew’s words are true, you must end the boycott. If he is lying, I will hand him over to you.” The Makkans agreed and sent Al-Mut`im to retrieve the document. To their shock, the parchment was exactly as the Prophet described—only the Name of Allah remained.
The Conclusion of the Siege
With the miraculous destruction of the document, the social boycott against early Muslims was officially over. The clans were permitted to return to their homes in Makkah. However, the hearts of the Quraish leadership remained hardened. Rather than accepting this sign of prophethood, they dismissed it as “continuous magic.”
The end of the boycott marked a pyrrhic victory; though the Muslims were free, the physical toll of the three-year starvation would soon contribute to the “Year of Sorrow,” during which both Abu Talib and the Prophet’s beloved wife, Khadijah, passed away. Nevertheless, the story remains a testament to the power of patience, the importance of standing against systemic injustice, and the ultimate victory of those who remain steadfast in their faith.
