There were two seasons held in Mecca every year...

There were two seasons held in Mecca every year: that of the `umrah (lesser pilgrimage) during Rajab, and the pilgrimage season in Dhi'l-Hijjah (the 7th and 12th months respectively). Hence, only when either of these two special seasons come did the sons of Hashim leave their ravine to buy and sell. Then no one of them dared venture out till the next season. They therefore suffered much hardship and hunger.

The people of Quraysh sent a message to Abu Talib, saying: "Turn Muhammad over to us that we may kill him; then we would make you king over us." In response, Abu Talib recited a long poem, in which he says: When I saw that these people had no love,having cut off all ties and means of friendship;(I said): Do you not know that we do not regard our son as a liar,Nor does he utter vain words.Pure is he, that for the sake of his face prayers for rain are answered;Generous towards orphans is he, and a protection for widows.The errant of the clan of Hashim crowd around him;For with him they find bounty and generous gifts.You lie, by Allah's house!

We shall never abandon Muhammad;Rather we shall wield the sword and strive to protect him. We shall never betray him, until we fall slain before him;For his sake we shall neglect our sons and wives.By my life!

I have been charged with great affection for Ahmad!I loved him with the love of a faithful lover.I have sacrificed willingly my soul for him and protected him;I have defended him with all that is precious,Even the bones of my breast!He remains an object of beauty in this world for its inhabitants;A harsh match to anyone showing enmity toward him is he, and the ornament of every assembly.

He is clement, wise, unwavering and not foolish;Friend of the Lord of Truth, never indulging in vain disputation.Thus the Lord of human servants has strengthened him with His victory;He caused a religion to prevail whose truth knows no falsehood.When they heard this poem, they despaired of convincing Abu Talib.

Abu 'l-`As ibn Rabi', who was the Messenger of Allah's son-in-law, used to bring by night camels laden with wheat and dates to the entrance of the ravine and call out loudly to them, so that they would rush in, and the sons of Hashim would have provisions. The Messenger of Allah used to say: "Abu 'l-`As has established a tie of marriage with us and has honoured well this marriage relation.