Boycott of Bani HashimThe spread of Islam among the tribes further aggravated the resentment of the Quraysh.
They came together and decided to draw up a decree ostracizing Bani Hashim and Bani
‘Abdul Muttalib. It was decided that nobody should marry the women of these two clans
nor give their women to them in marriage; neither should they buy from nor sell to them.
Having solemnly agreed to these points, the agreement was put into writing and the parch-
ment was hung in the Ka'bah in order to give it a religious sanction thereby making it man-
datory for all.
THE VALLEY OF SH’EB ABI TALIB
Bani Hashim and Bani Abdul Muttalib joined Abu Talib after the boycott was enforced and
withdrew to a narrow glen or wadi known as Sh’eb Abi Talib. It was the seventh year of the
Prophet's (r) mission. Abu Lahab Ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib, however, decided to join with the
Quraysh, leaving his kith and kin covered by the ban.
Weeks and months had passed, and the people of Hashim lived in misery and hunger. The
ban was so rigorously enforced that the Prophet's (r) clan was reduced to eating acacia
leaves and the cries of hungry children reverberated all over the valley. The caravans passed
peacefully through the streets of Makkah but the Quraysh told the merchants not to buy
from or sell anything to the two forsaken clans. This resulted to the prices being pegged so
high that it was extremely impossible for the beleaguered people to purchase even their
basic necessities.
The decree of proscription lasted for three years and for the same number of years Bani
Hashim and Bani ‘Abdul Muttalib lived in exile and endured the hardships of a blockade. But
not all Quraysh people were utterly humiliated and deprived. Those of them who were
good-natured and kindhearted occasionally supplied food secretly to those who are in exile.
However, the Prophet (r) never ceased preaching the message he had brought to his own
people and even towards others, whenever he got the opportunity. Bani Hashim on their
part endured every trouble with exemplary patience and fortitude.
ANNULMENT OF THE DECREE
The pitiable condition of the exiles gave rise to a feeling of resentment against the ban
confronting the gracious and genial sons of the desert. Hisham Ibn ‘Amr Ibn Rabi’a took the
initiative to end the boycott. He was amiable and kindhearted, as well as highly esteemed by
the Quraysh. He approached some other considerate and well-disposed persons and put
them to shame for allowing tyranny to linger on. At last, Hisham, supported by four other
persons agreed to stand together till the decree of boycott was cancelled. Then, when the