Hazrat Sayyedah Khadijah — Page 24
24 24 be no chance of an inter-tribe enmity as the converts will be dealt with within each tribe. This plan was put into practice accordingly. The result was that the individual Muslims were exposed to all manners of perse- cution at the hands of their fellow tribesmen. The senior members of their own family treated many such Muslims cruelly. Abu Taalib came to know of this plan. In order to save the Holy Prophet saw from any maltreatment, he called upon Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib clans of the Quraish tribe and per- suaded them to resolve that they would safeguard Muhammad saw in every way. All agreed with the exception of Abu Lahab, who was a bitter enemy of Islam and was determined to stop its message. The Holy Prophet saw was thus protected to a large degree by the guarantee of Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib. The hostile clans of the Quraish tribe knew that they could not harm the Holy Prophet saw as long as he enjoyed the pro- tection of Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib. As they failed to achieve their purpose, they were frustrated. They resolved that a complete boycott of Muhammad saw and his followers should be enforced. They included Banu Haashim and Banu Muttalib clans in the ban as they had provided a guarantee of protection to the Holy Prophet saw. An agreement was written. The chiefs of Quraish and Banu Kanaanah tribes put their signatures to it and it was hung on one of the walls of the Ka‘bah. According to the agreement any contact with the Muslims and those who sided with them was totally forbidden. No provisions were sold to them. The ban was enforced rigorously.