Persecution of Muslims by Meccans

When the Islamic prophet Muhammad initially spread Islam in his hometown, Mecca, he did not meet with any significant opposition from his tribesmen, the Quraysh. Rather, they were indifferent to his activities, as they did not appear to be particularly interested in devotional meetings. This was the case until Muhammad started attacking their beliefs, which caused tensions to arise.^[1][2][3] The Muslims then reportedly received persecution that lasted for twelve years beginning from the advent of Islam to Hijrah.^{[4][page needed]}

After Abu Talib refused, they (Quraysh of Makka) gathered together to confer and decided to draw up a document in which they undertook not to marry women from the Banu Hashim and the Banu al-Muttalib, or to give them women in marriage, or to sell anything to them or buy anything from them (until the Prophet was given up to them to be killed). They drew up a written contract to that effect and solemnly pledged themselves to observe it.^[5] The event forced Abu Talib to move the clans to a valley called Shi'b of Abu Talib. The boycott lasted three years and was ended when relatives of the clans intervened.

In the next year when Abu Talib, his uncle who supported him in this ordeal died, Muhammed was left with no protection. The repercussions of the death of Abu Talib were in the political sphere. His successor as chief of the Banu Hashim appears to have been his brother, Abu Lahab. Although Abu Lahab had joined the 'grand alliance' against Hashim during the boycott, he is said at first to have promised to protect Muhammad in the same way as Abu Talib had done. After a time, however, Abu Lahab formally refused protection to Muhammad on the grounds that Muhammad alleged 'Abd al-Muttalib to be in hell. The loss of security was on the surface a great disaster for Muhammad and for the cause of Islam.^[6]

In 622, Muhammad and his few hundred followers left Makkah and travelled to Madinah, knowing that Quraysh were plotting to kill him and his followers.^[4][7]