Brief Summary
This session covers the experiences of Muslims in Abyssinia, major conversions in Mecca, and the social boycott against the Prophet's clan. Key points include:
- The strategic importance of Abyssinia as a backup plan for early Muslims.
- The unexpected conversions of Hamza and Umar, which significantly strengthened the Muslim community.
- The details surrounding the social and economic boycott imposed on the Banu Hashim and Banu Muttalib, including their resilience and the eventual end of the boycott due to divine intervention and internal dissent within the Quraysh.
Abyssinia and the Backup Plan
The Muslims remained in Abyssinia for about 10 to 11 years after the Prophet's emigration to Medina, even after significant battles like Badr and Uhud. The Prophet Muhammad kept them there as a strategic reserve, a "Plan B", in case Medina failed. Only after Medina was secure, following the Battle of Khaybar, did he summon them back. There's debate whether the Muslims successfully converted many Abyssinians during their stay; while Nagashi converted, widespread conversion didn't occur until later conquests. The Prophet proposed marriage to Umm Habiba, daughter of Abu Sufyan, while she was in Abyssinia after her husband, Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh, died there.
Major Conversions in Mecca
Following the second emigration to Abyssinia, Mecca saw significant conversions, notably Hamza, the Prophet's uncle, and Umar ibn al-Khattab. Hamza's conversion was triggered by his tribal honour after Abu Jahl insulted the Prophet. Reacting in anger, Hamza struck Abu Jahl and declared his allegiance to Islam, later making a sincere dua for guidance. Umar's initial animosity towards Islam softened after overhearing the Prophet reciting the Quran. The Prophet Muhammad made a dua for either Abu Jahl or Umar to be guided to Islam, and Umar's subsequent conversion marked a turning point for the Muslim community.
The Conversion of Umar Ibn al-Khattab
Umar's path to Islam involved multiple events. Initially intending to harm the Prophet, Umar was moved by the Quran's recitation. He also encountered a softened stance from Umar towards Muslims emigrating to Abyssinia. Upon learning his sister and brother-in-law had converted, he confronted them, but after witnessing their sincerity and reading the Quran himself, he embraced Islam. This conversion led to the Muslims praying openly at the Kaaba for the first time, earning Umar the title "Al-Farooq" for distinguishing truth from falsehood.
Social Boycott Against the Prophet's Clan
In the seventh year of Dawa, facing increasing threats, the Quraysh tribes united to isolate the Prophet Muhammad and his supporters. They imposed a severe social and economic boycott on the Banu Hashim and Banu Muttalib, who then retreated to valleys outside Mecca. This boycott, lasting two to three years, involved cutting off all trade, marriage, and social interactions. Despite the hardship, some sympathetic non-Muslims, like Mut'im ibn Adi, secretly provided supplies. The boycott ended after the Prophet revealed that termites had consumed the written agreement, leaving only the phrase "Bismillah" intact, and after some Quraysh members expressed dissent.
The End of the Boycott and Lessons Learned
The end of the boycott was hastened by a famine in Mecca and the efforts of sympathetic Quraysh members who publicly challenged the agreement. The Prophet's revelation about the termites consuming the treaty, except for "Bismillah", further discredited the Quraysh's actions. This period highlights the strong kinship ties within the Banu Hashim, even among non-Muslims, and the importance of utilising support from those who stand for truth and justice. The Prophet and his followers returned to Mecca, but faced further trials, setting the stage for the emigration to Medina.
