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Abd Yaleel.’ In the words of Urwah ibn Zubayr, ‘When Abu Talib
died, and the Prophet’s affliction became more intense, he took
himself to the Thaqeef tribe
3
in the hope that they would grant
him asylum and support.’ But one can judge what savage treatment
the Prophet received at their hands from this prayer that he made
on his return to Makkah:
“Lord, I complain to You of my weakness and helplessness.
How vulnerable I am among men, most Merciful One!”
While coming back from Taif, the Prophet said to them, “Let
the news of your behaviour to me not reach Makkah, otherwise
they would become more audacious. The Prophet, unable to
live within the city, stayed outside, and sent messages to various
people, asking them to take him under their personal protection so
that he could return to the city. Eventually Mut’im ibn Adi agreed
to extend protection to the Prophet, who, shielded by the swords
of Mut’im’s sons, once again entered the city walls.
Fairs, attended by tribes from all over Arabia, used to be held in
various places in those days. The Prophet would attend these and
speak to different tribes, in the hope that one of them would agree
to extend him protection. He explained his plight to his uncle
Abbas. “I am not safe here with you and your relatives. Will you
take me to the fair tomorrow, so that we can visit people in their
tents and talk to them?”
The Prophet would then go into people’s tents and presenting
himself before them, would enquire what protection they could
afford him. He would tell them that his people had rejected him
and expelled him from their midst. ‘Protect me and grant me
refuge so that I can continue to preach the faith that God has
revealed to me.’ Historians have mentioned the names of fifteen
tribes that the Prophet approached individually, only to meet with
one refusal after another. Although it was considered a shameful
matter for someone to seek refuge with a tribe, and his request
not be granted—in fact, this was the first notable example in Arab
3 The Thaqeef were the tribe that inhabited Taif.
