Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), together with the Banu Haashim and Banul Muttalib clans, remained in the Valley of Abu Taalib under boycott for three years. As per the terms of this oppressive boycott, they were prevented from entering the market places, and the people of Makkah Mukarramah would neither sell anything to them or buy anything from them.
As a result, they were unable to acquire any food to sustain themselves and thus underwent severe starvation throughout this period. Out of desperation, they ate the leaves of the acacia tree to try and survive. (Rowdhul Unuf 2/161)
Explaining the hardship and difficulty which the family of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had to endure during the period of the boycott, Hazrat Ibnu Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) said, “Our family was confined to the valley for three years. Our food supply was cut off, to the extent that a person would go out with money to purchase food, but would return empty-handed as no one would be willing to sell anything to him. Ultimately, certain people passed away (from starvation) as well.” (Subulul Huda 1/377)
The small children would be heard crying in distress due to the severe pangs of hunger and starvation they were undergoing, but such was the hard-heartedness of the Quraish, that many of them would rejoice and express happiness on hearing these cries.
However, there were some among the Quraish who were grieved to find their own kinsfolk suffering on their account. They would reproach the others saying to them, “Look at the calamity that had befallen Mansoor bin Ikrimah! (i.e. on account of him drawing up the oppressive resolution of the boycott, he was struck with divine punishment and his hand became paralyzed.)” (Tabaqaat Ibnu Sa’d 1/163)
The Cruelty of Abu Lahab
At the time when a trade caravan would come to Makkah Mukarramah from outside, Abu Lahab would address the people of the trade caravan saying, “O traders! Do not sell to the companions of Muhammed at a normal price – rather charge them an exorbitant price so that they will not be able to purchase anything from you! If you suffer any financial loss due to this then I will compensate you.”
Accordingly, when those who were under boycott would come to the traders to purchase food from them to feed their families, they would find that the food was being sold at an extremely exorbitant price which was not affordable. As a result, they would be forced to return to their children, who were crying in hunger, empty-handed with nothing to feed them. (Rowdhul Unuf 2/161)
Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) Struggling to Survive
Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was also among the family of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and hence he was among those under boycott in the Valley of Abu Taalib.
Describing the difficulties which he endured in trying to survive the starvation, he says, “During the boycott, I was once suffering from extreme hunger during the night. It was at that time that I stepped on something on the ground that was moist. I immediately picked it up and swallowed it, and until today, I do not know what it was.”
Hazrat Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions another similar incident saying, “One night, I went out to relieve myself. While I was walking, I came across a dried camel skin. I washed it with water, burned it and crushed it to a powder. I then swallowed this powder with water. This sustained me for three nights.” (Rowdhul Unuf 2/161)
