The Prophet's ﷺ journey to Taif: The most patience-testing event in Islamic history
Taif City of Suadia Arab

Aim and Related of the Journey (Aam al-Hazn)

In the Shawal, the 10th year of Prophethood, the air in Makkah had become very confined for the Muslims. In that year, the Prophet’s ﷺ fatherly uncle Hazrat Abu Talib رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ and his wife Hazrat Khadija رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہا passed away. The departure of these two characters increased the morale of the infidels of Makkah and they intensified their physical and mental torture on him. During this difficult time, the Prophet ﷺ decided to extend the invite to the truth to a place outside Mecca where the people were soft-hearted and Islam could find refuge. For this purpose, the Prophet ﷺ chose Taif.

Departure to Taif and the difficult path

Taif is a mountainous region about 60 miles (96 km) from Makkah. The Prophet ﷺ did not choose a vehicle for this journey, but set out quietly on foot to avoid the eyes of the polytheists of Mecca. He was accompanied by his loyal friend Hazrat Zaid bin Haritha رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ . He transferred the message of monotheism to every village on the way, but no one responded positively.

The impoliteness of the chiefs of Taif

Taif was governed by the Banu Thaqif at that time. The Prophet ﷺ went to the three great chiefs there (Abd Yalil, Mas’ud and Habib) and called them to Allah very gently. But their hearts were harder than stone. One of them mockingly said: “Did Allah not find anyone other than you?” The other said: “If you are truly a prophet ﷺ, I cannot bear to speak to you.” They not only refused but also ordered the Prophet ﷺ to leave the city.

The domination of the city's brutes and the injured Prophet ﷺ

When the Prophet ﷺ started returning from the city, these leaders made the wandering boys and troublemakers of the city follow him. They formed rows on both sides of the road and started throwing stones at him. The stones caused his legs and feet to bleed, until the blood flowed and pooled in his shoes. When the Prophet ﷺ could no longer bear the wounds, the oppressors would hold him by his arms and make him stand up again, and then they would throw stones and clap their hands. Hazrat Zaid (ﷺ) used his body as a shield to protect him, which also badly injured his head.

The floor of Addas (ﷺ) and the gift of grapes

In this desperate state, the Prophet ﷺ took refuge in a garden of brothers named 'Utbah and Shaybah. A Christian slave there, 'Addas', was moved to see the condition of the Prophet ﷺ and offered him a bunch of grapes. He ﷺ recited "Bismillah" and started eating, but he was surprised because the people there did not know these words. When he ﷺ told him about his prophethood, he ﷺ kissed his hands and feet and accepted Islam there and then.

The Call of the Angel of the Mountains and His Great Prayer

When he ﷺ reached the place of 'Qarn al-Thalab' outside Taif, he saw that a cloud was overwhelming him. Hazrat Jibraeel (ﷺ) seemed and said: "Allah has heard the words of your people, now the Angel of the Mountains is with you, you can order whatever you want." The Angel of the Mountains greeted him and said: "O Messenger of Allah ﷺ! If you order, I will join the two mountains of Taif together and this town will collapse in the middle and be destroyed."