An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 21
21 of the Prophet and the few Muslims who were with them at Mecca, camped in a pass in the hill. This place was called Shaab - i - Abi - Talib. The boycott lasted three years. Muslims had no provisions. They could not buy anything. Nobody would sell them any thing, not even food. At times they lived on leaves of tree. When children cried for hunger, the Quresh heard the cries and laughed. Some g ood men among them did not like this cruelty. But they were few and weak. One day the Prophet said to his uncle Abu Talib, “God has told me that the boycott paper has been eaten up. Only the name of Allah remains on it. ” Abu Talib went to the Kaaba. He said to the Quresh, “How long will your oppression last? My nephew tells me that the boycott paper has been eaten up. See therefore whether he be right. ” They found the paper had been moth eaten. It has only Allah’s name left on it. The good men among them said, “Let us end this boycott now. ” Abu Jahl said, “No. ” But Mutam bin Adi took hold of the paper and tore into pieces. He and Hisham bin Amar with Zaheer bin Abi Ommaiya and Abul Bakhtari went up to the mouth of Shaab - i - Abi - Talib and set free the Prophet, his family and followers.