The Opposition Intensifies

THE OPPOSITION INTENSIFIES bitter. They felt that the Prophet’s clan, the Banu Hashim, headed by Abu Talib, was responsible for all this misery and that if they had given up Muhammad, all his activities could have been stopped without delay. So they told the Banu Hashim they would suffer the consequences if they did not surrender to Muhammad. The tribes of Makkah agreed. They agreed to cut off all dealings with the Banu Hashim. No one was to sell anything to them. The agreement was signed and hung up in the sacred Kabah. This was the seventh year of prophethood. This boycott period was a great hardship for the Banu Hashim and the Muslims. While this ban was in force, Abu Talib, the chief of the Banu Hashim, had to take refuge in a narrow valley, which came to be known as Abu Talib’s Pass. The Prophet and his relatives lived in this valley for three years. Many Muslims joined them. All supplies to the valley were cut off. The Banu Hashim had to live on the leaves and roots of trees. Finally, certain kind-hearted Makkan leaders took