One day...

One day, Fatima az-Zahra (sa) saw the infidels pour camel placenta on her father while he was prostrating to Allah; so she cleaned his back and while bitterly crying, cursed the unbelievers, and supplicated to Allah to punish them. But, the infidels were sarcastic, in the same respect as any lowly people, and rubble would be.

Ibn Abbas reported that the Quraishians once held a meeting in the Sacred Mosque and vowed by their Idols that as soon as they saw (S), they would all participate in killing him; upon hearing this, Fatima (sa) went crying to her father, and informed him of their conspiracy. The crisis became more intense when the Messenger of Allah was forcefully confined to Abu Talib's trail (valley) along with his family, and all the members of Abu Talib's family.

They lived in an atmosphere overtaken by fear, and anxiety of the constantly expected attack by the infidels at night. The situation grew even worse when the polytheists drew up a treaty to besiege Bani Hashim and impose economic sanctions against them; this treaty allowed no one to sell, or, buy anything from them, including food supplies. Therefore, the cries of starving children reached the ears of all Meccan inhabitants.

The people of Mecca were divided into two groups: One who was enjoying the misfortunes of the Bani Hashim, and the other was deeply affected with their misery. This situation continued for more than three years. Fatima az-Zahra (sa) was one of those who suffered from this siege, which resulted in awakening the spirit of struggle, honesty and endurance in her; it was as if she was spending a period of training, and exercise, preparing for the near future.

Nevertheless, their ordeal was made easier when Fatima az-Zahra (sa) saw the courageous hero, Abu Talib, aided by Hamza keeping steadfast, and helping her father in every way against the infidels' aggression. Abu Talib declared his adherence to Islam through uttering poetry.

Once, the Quraishan heads objected to Abu Talib's support of the Prophet; they said to him: "We will give you a handsome, generous, and courageous Quraishan youth (Amarh Ibn al-Walid) to become your son, if you give us your nephew -Muhammad - who disunites us and humiliates our idols, so that we may kill him!" Abu Talib said: "This is an unfair offer! Do you mean to give me your son, so I can feed him for you and I give you my nephew to kill?