Part3: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: Trials, Boycott, & Isra Wal Miraj

Hope in Hardship: Boycott to Miraj in the Prophet’s ﷺ Journey

The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷵ is a tapestry woven with moments of unparalleled joy and soul-shattering sorrow, of divine guidance and worldly trials. Part 3 of his sacred biography brings us to a poignant chapter of his mission: the years of intensified struggle, the sorrow of personal losses, societal rejection, and finally, the miraculous journey of hope and nearness to Allah 🌠✨—Isra Wal Miraj.

🇸🇦 The Boycott of Banu Hashim: A Social and Economic Siege

After the early open declaration of Islam in Makkah, the Quraysh's opposition to the message grew fierce. They realized that mere mockery or threats were insufficient—they needed to isolate Prophet Muhammad ﷵ and his followers completely. In the seventh year of Prophethood, the Quraysh imposed a complete boycott on the Prophet’s tribe, Banu Hashim, whether Muslim or not. The boycott was documented, signed by 40 tribal leaders, and hung inside the Kaaba as a binding pact.

What did this boycott mean?

• No one could marry into Banu Hashim.

• No buying or selling with them.

• No socializing or communication.

The Prophet ﷵ and his companions, including family, were forced to retreat to the valley known as Shi'b Abi Talib, enduring three long years of unimaginable hardship.

🥚 Hunger, Disease, and Perseverance

During the boycott, food supplies were deliberately cut off. Children cried from hunger, old men fell ill, and only sparse secret help came from a few sympathetic Quraysh like Hakim ibn Hizam (nephew of Khadijah RA). The sound of starving children echoed in the valley. Even then, the Prophet ﷵ continued to preach, comforting those around him.

Eventually, some Qurayshi leaders were moved by compassion and guilt. One of them, Mut'im ibn 'Adi, along with others like Zam’ah ibn al-Aswad, tore down the pact. When it was retrieved from the Kaaba, only a few words remained—all else had been eaten by termites, except the name of Allah. It was a clear sign for those who could see.

🌟 The Year of Sorrow (‘Aam al-Huzn)

No sooner had the boycott ended than the Prophet ﷵ faced the most emotionally devastating year of his life.

1. 👵 The Death of Abu Talib

For over 40 years, Abu Talib, the Prophet’s uncle, had shielded him. Though he never accepted Islam, his unwavering support was a pillar of strength. When Abu Talib passed away, the Prophet’s enemies became openly aggressive, knowing that the political protection was now gone.

2. 👸 The Death of Khadijah RA

Within weeks of Abu Talib's death, the Prophet ﷵ lost his beloved wife Khadijah RA, the first to believe in him, the woman who comforted him after the first revelation, and who had given her wealth, home, and soul for Islam.

These two losses plunged the Prophet ﷵ into deep sorrow. He wept not only for their absence but also for what their deaths signified: an intensifying loneliness in his mission. This year came to be known as ‘Aam al-Huzn – The Year of Sorrow.

Khadijah RA had been more than a wife—she was a companion, supporter, and believer. Her wisdom and strength had often been the emotional foundation of the Prophet’s home. Losing her meant not only personal grief but the end of a critical era in his journey. His home, once filled with warmth, was now empty of the woman who first believed in him when others doubted.

🏙️ Seeking Solace in Ta'if: Hope Met With Stones

With Makkah growing more hostile, the Prophet ﷵ turned to Ta'if, about 60 km away, hoping to find allies among the Thaqeef tribe. He approached their leaders with the message of Islam, appealing for protection and acceptance.

But instead of welcome, he faced:

• Insults and mockery

• Rejection from tribal leaders

• Street children and thugs stoning him for miles

His feet bled until his sandals stuck to his skin. Emotionally broken but spiritually intact, he sat under a vine. There, he uttered one of the most heartbreaking yet profound du'as:

"O Allah, I complain to You of my weakness, my scarcity of resources, and the humiliation I have been subjected to by the people..."

When the Angel Jibreel 💫 came with the angel of the mountains, offering to crush Ta'if between the hills, the Prophet ﷵ refused.

"No, I hope that Allah will bring from their descendants people who will worship Him alone."

Forgiveness over vengeance. Mercy over wrath. That was Muhammad ﷵ.

Ta'if, though hostile then, would later become one of the strongholds of Islam. Children who threw stones would grow up hearing his message. Even in rejection, the Prophet saw future hope.

✨ The Gift of Isra Wal Miraj: Light in the Darkness

At his lowest worldly point, Allah 🌠 gifted the Prophet ﷵ the miraculous journey of Isra Wal Miraj — a spiritual ascension unlike anything before.

💖 Isra: The Night Journey

The Prophet ﷵ was transported from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem on a heavenly steed called Buraq. There, he led all the previous Prophets (AS) in prayer, signifying his leadership among them.

Jerusalem held a sacred legacy. By leading the prayer, the Prophet ﷵ became the spiritual successor of previous revelations. This moment was more than symbolic; it was historic.

✨ Miraj: The Ascension to the Heavens

From Jerusalem, the Prophet ﷵ ascended through the seven heavens:

• Met Adam (AS) in the first heaven

• Isa (AS) and Yahya (AS) in the second

• Yusuf (AS) in the third

• Idris (AS) in the fourth

• Harun (AS) in the fifth

• Musa (AS) in the sixth

• Ibrahim (AS) in the seventh

At each stage, they welcomed him, affirming his role. Finally, he reached Sidrat al-Muntaha, the highest point any creation had ever reached. It was here he received the command of Salah (prayer)—originally 50 times a day but reduced to five daily prayers after consultation with Musa (AS).

"The five daily prayers are the spiritual ladder for my Ummah," the Prophet ﷵ later said.

He returned to Makkah before dawn. The next morning, he narrated the event to the Quraysh. They mocked him, calling it impossible. But Abu Bakr (RA) responded:

"If he said it, then it is true."

He was given the title As-Siddiq (The Truthful One) for his unwavering belief.

🌿 Seeds of Change

Though Makkah remained hostile, things began to shift subtly after these trials. On his way back from Ta'if, Prophet Muhammad ﷵ stopped in Nakhla, where a group of jinn heard him recite the Qur'an and accepted Islam. Later, people from Yathrib (later Madinah) came during Hajj and embraced Islam, planting seeds for migration.

These events were not disconnected. The suffering of Shi'b Abi Talib, the sorrow of lost loved ones, the rejection in Ta'if, and the miraculous night journey all formed a divine arc leading to the next phase: Hijrah (migration) and state-building in Madinah.

💖 Reflections for the Ummah Today

1. Hardship Does Not Mean Abandonment

   • Allah gave Isra Wal Miraj right after the Prophet’s most painful year.

2. Mercy Over Anger

   • The Prophet ﷵ forgave those who harmed him.

3. Salah Is Our Miraj

   • Prayer was the gift of the highest spiritual moment; we neglect it at our own loss.

4. Faith Means Trusting the Unseen

   • Abu Bakr’s belief in Miraj was rooted not in evidence, but in trust.

5. True Leadership Demands Patience

   • Despite pain, the Prophet ﷵ never abandoned his mission.

6. Even Enemies May Become Allies

   • Ta'if rejected him, yet later accepted Islam. Time changes hearts.

7. Our Suffering Can Have Divine Purpose

   • Sometimes, Allah removes comforts to elevate us closer to Him.

     

📝 Conclusion

The trials faced by Prophet Muhammad ﷵ during this phase of his life were not just tests; they were preparatory steps for the global mission that lay ahead. He lost worldly support, but gained divine strength. He was rejected on earth, but welcomed in the heavens. He walked with wounds in Ta'if and flew with Buraq to the presence of the Most High.

This part of the Seerah reminds every believer: after hardship, there is ease. After tears, comes the divine embrace. And after every dark valley, there lies a mountaintop from which faith can once again shine.

Stay connected for Part 4: Hijrah and the Building of a Nation in Madinah — a new dawn in the journey of light.