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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib The Quraysh Boycott When the Quraysh failed in crushing the Islamic Movement and suppress the voice of the Prophet (a.s), and lost all hope of bringing him to their thinking, they came to a conclusion that unless Muhammad (a.s) was not handed over them, they would terminate all relations with Banū-Hashim and declare an economic boycott against them.

They decided to neither sell anything to them nor establish any matrimonial relationship with the family. To give authenticity to this agreement, Mansūr ibn `Ikrimah al-`Abdari drafted a document with mutual consent on which eighty chiefs of Quraysh put their seal of approval. This document was given in the safekeeping of Abū-Jahl’s aunt Ummul-Jallas who was warned to keep it safe as a valuable document. When Banū-Hashim heard of this agreement, they felt it difficult to live at Makkah any more.

They shifted to a cave at a distance from Makkah. This cave was known as Shi`b Abū-Talib. Now they were cut away from the people of Makkah, and people of Makkah from them. The boycott agreement of the Quraysh affected other tribes as well. None had the courage to interact or transact with Banū-Hashim. However, Abul-`as ibn Rabi`ah, Hakim ibn Hizam and Husham ibn `Amr sometimes used to load camels with provisions and push them stealthily towards Shi`b Abū-Talib.

Banū-Hashim also managed to buy some provisions at high prices during the Hajj periods. Because of buying things at exorbitant prices, and because of no occupation, they ran out of funds and ultimately they reached the stage of starvation. The predicament was such that sometimes they had to chew the leaves of trees. The elders were demonstrating forbearance, but the children used to cry inconsolably. Others used to hear of their tribulation, but none took pity on them.

The Quraysh, instead of commiserating with them, took sadistic pleasure in their plight! It was quite natural considering the temperament of the Quraysh. But the surprising thing was that there still existed a group of Muslims in Makkah who were rich and persons of means! But history fails to suggest if they ever attempted to come to the rescue of their brethren during the long period of suffering.

Some humanitarian persons, who had not embraced Islam until then, used to provide some succor to Banū-Hashim!