Detailed Account

Having lost protection in Makkah after Abu Talib's death, the Prophet ﷺ and Zayd ibn Harithah traveled to nearby Ta'if (about 60 miles southeast of Makkah) seeking protection and a new audience for Islam. He specifically approached the three chiefs of the Thaqif tribe—Abd Yalil, Mas'ud, and Habib (sons of Amr ibn Umair). Despite speaking with them for over ten days, they rejected his message mockingly, saying: 'Did Allah find only you to send?' Fearing their rejection would influence their own position with Quraysh, they urged him to leave immediately. Instead of merely sending him away, they organized street youth to form lines along his exit path and stone him mercilessly. The Prophet ﷺ was injured so severely his shoes filled with blood. Zayd, attempting to shield him, suffered head wounds. Eventually taking refuge in an orchard belonging to Utbah and Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah, the bleeding Prophet ﷺ made one of his most moving prayers: 'O Allah, to You I complain of my weakness, lack of resources and humiliation before people...' At this moment of deepest distress, Angel Jibreel appeared with the Angel of Mountains, offering to crush the city between two mountains if the Prophet ﷺ wished. Demonstrating remarkable mercy, he refused, saying: 'Perhaps Allah will bring forth from their descendants people who will worship Allah alone without associating partners with Him.' This prayer was eventually answered, as Ta'if later embraced Islam voluntarily. While resting in the orchard, he was offered grapes by Addas, a Christian slave from Nineveh who recognized him as a prophet, providing a moment of consolation before the difficult return journey to Makkah.