They tortured and injured us...

They tortured and injured us, until finding no safety among them, we have come to your country and hope you will protect us from their oppression. Back in Mecca, economic and social boycott was imposed against the Prophet and his family. Therefore, the Prophet and his uncle, Abu Talib, along with their relatives from the Banu Hashim, took refuge for three years in the “mountain pass of Abu Talib,” a fort in one of the valleys of Mecca.

No one had any dealings or transactions with them and they did not dare to leave their place of refuge. The idol-worshippers of Mecca, although at the beginning they considered inflicting all kinds of pressures and tortures such as striking and beating, insult, ridicule and defamation of the Prophet, occasionally would also show kindness and courtesy toward him in order to have him turn…