الرحلة إلى الطائف
The Journey to Ta'if
Shawwal, 3 BH (619 CE)
Ta'if الطائف
Seeking support after the death of Abu Talib, the Prophet ﷺ traveled to Ta'if with Zayd ibn Harithah to invite the Thaqif tribe to Islam. The people of Ta'if not only rejected him but sent their children and slaves to stone him until his blessed sandals were soaked with blood. Zayd shielded him with his own body. The Angel of the Mountains offered to crush the people of Ta'if between the two mountains, but the Prophet ﷺ refused, hoping that from their descendants would come people who worship Allah alone.
Why this matters
This is one of the most emotionally powerful moments in the Seerah. At his most vulnerable — orphaned of both protector and wife, stoned and bleeding — the Prophet ﷺ responded not with vengeance but with mercy and hope. His supplication to Allah at this moment is one of the most moving prayers ever recorded. And his mercy was vindicated: Ta'if later accepted Islam.
Hadith references
Sahih al-Bukhari, #3231
Narrated by: Aisha
“The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The angel of the mountains called me, greeted me, and said: O Muhammad, Allah has heard what your people said to you. I am the Angel of the Mountains, and your Lord has sent me so that you may command me. If you wish, I can bring together the two mountains that stand opposite each other at the extremities of Makkah to crush them.' The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Rather, I hope that Allah will bring out from their descendants people who worship Allah alone, without associating anything with Him.'”