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Taif is a fertile green area around Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It has plenty of fruit gardens
and a pleasant climate.
The people of the tribe of Bani Sakeef used to relax under the shadow of fruit trees
in the Taif area. From the travellers of Mecca passing by, they used to hear reports
about the mission of Prophet Muhammad
ﷺ
. They came to learn from them how
truthful, trustworthy and kind the Prophet of Islam was. They also came to know that
among women Hazrat Khadija, the Prophet’s wife and among the men Hazrat Ali
the Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law were the first to declare faith and accept Islam.
They were also informed that the followers of the Prophet were still very few. That
majority of the people from the tribe of Quraish did not yet accept Islam and were
opposing the spread of the religion. They had even offered Prophet Muhammad
ﷺ
bribes of large sums of money and high post if he would stop preaching against idol
worship.
One day when the people were resting under the shadow of fruit trees, they received
news that Abu Talib, his uncle had come and told the Prophet “O my Nephew! the
leaders of Quarish say that whatever wealth you demand they are willing to give
provided you abandon the teaching of Islam.”
The Quraish tried again by sending Ataba to persuade the Prophet and offered
everything that he would wish to have. In reply the Prophet recited this verse from
the Holy Qur’an:
“Say: I am only a man like you, it is revealed unto me that your
God is but one God. Therefore, whoever desires to meet
his Lord, he should do good deeds, and not join any
one in the service of his Lord.” (18:10)
Ataba was very moved
عنہللہاضیر