It was just after the year of sorrow. The year in which our messenger of Allah ﷺ was struck with one of the greatest calamities. The loss of his beloved wife,  loyal friend, companion and supporter – Khadija رضي الله عنها as well as his dear, noble and honoured uncle Abu Taalib. He was a human, and so he felt the pain of these losses, both the sorrow and the grief. Tears fell down his face, as he reminisced those beautiful moments he spent with the one who held his hand from the beginning of Prophethood, till she departed from this world. Tears also fell for his uncle, who had died without embracing the religion of Ibrahim (AS), even though his love for his nephew, the Messenger ﷺ, was loyal and faithful.

After the passing of Abu Taalib, the Makkans began to become even more hostile. It was at this point, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ decided to go and proclaim the message to the people of Ta’if in the hope that they would respond much better than the Makkans. Yet, as he walked through the alleyways of Ta’if, with Zayd رضي الله عنه by his side, young children began to emerge from their houses, amongst them adults too, all carrying pebbles and stones. In an instant, they were pelting them at the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, striking him harshly, chasing after him, running behind him, till he began to bleed. He was mocked by the jeering crowd, yet he continued to walk on. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ bled profusely and left the place injured and in pain, until his shoes were filled with blood.

By the time Zayd Ibn Haarith رضي الله عنه and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ were outside the city walls, they continued a short distance and then stopped at a place (orchard) where the owner of the Orchard sent a slave to dress his wounds. It was there that the Angel Jibra’eel (AS) appeared, along with the Angel of the Mountain.

Jibra’eel (AS) brought the angel before the Prophet ﷺ. The angel greeted him and then said;

“O, Prophet of Allah! I am at your service. If you wish, I can cause the mountains overlooking this town on both sides to collide with each other, so that all the people therein would be crushed to death, or you may suggest any other punishment for them.”

Muhammad ﷺ replied;

“Even if these people do not accept Islam, I do hope from Allah that there will be persons from among their progeny who would worship Allah and serve His cause.”

Allahu Akbar! Just look at forgiving nature of the Prophet ﷺ. The people of Ta’if had put him through so much pain and suffering, they had jeered and mocked at him, yet instead of allowing them to be punished, he forgave them, hoping that from among them would arise a believing soul who would follow his sunnah and invite others to the truth. Such was our Prophet ﷺ and such was his beautiful, compassionate and merciful nature.

Allahumma Sallim Wa Baarik ‘Alaa Nabiyinaa Muhammad Ibn Abdillah.

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