The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 191
VI - Commencement of Prophethood 191 the tactics employed to annihilate it is a long and grievous story, which extends to the eighth year of migration. First Delegation of the Quraish to Abū Ṭālib The very first attempt made by the Quraish, was to deprive the Holy Prophet sa of the sympathy and protection of Abū Ṭālib, for they knew that as long as Abū Ṭālib sided with the Holy Prophet sa , action could not be taken against him without disturbing intertribal relationships. Abū Ṭālib was the chieftain of the Banū Hāshim, and despite being an idolater, was a guardian and protector to the Holy Prophet sa. As such, in light of intertribal politics to raise a hand against the Holy Prophet sa in his presence, was equivalent to declaring war against the Banū Hāshim, for which the rest of the Quraish, was not yet willing. Therefore, their initial scheme was that they sent a friendly delegation to Abū Ṭālib to convince him to stop his nephew from the propagation of Islām. As such, Walīd bin Mughīrah, ‘Āṣ bin Wā’il, ‘ Utbah bin Rabī‘ah, Abū Jahl bin Hishām and Abū Sufyān, etc. , who were all among the chieftains of the Quraish, approached Abū Ṭālib and kindly said “You are revered amongst our people. For this reason we request you to prohibit your nephew from the propogation of this new religion, or relinquish your protection of him and leave us and leave him that we may judge between ourselves. ” Abū Ṭālib spoke to them in great tenderness, and continued in an attempt to cool their rage, and ultimately sent them back calm. 1 Second Delegation However, since the cause of their displeasure remained existent, rather, continued to progress day by day, and austere verses in the prohibition of polytheism were being revealed, it was not long before these people once again gathered before Abū Ṭālib and said: “Now the matter has reached its limit and we are referred to as impure, foul, the worst of creation, foolish, and the children of Satan. Our gods are referred to as the fuel of hell and our ancestors are described as those who think not. Therefore, we can bear no more, and if you cannot renounce your protection of him, then we are also compelled, for we shall fight you, until one party of the 1 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Malik bin Hishām, p. 200, Bābu Mubādāti Rasūlillāhi sa Qaumahū wa mā kāna minhu, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)