The TSR Islamic Society

In Taif, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) first met the chiefs and leaders of Thaqif whom he invited to accept Islam. They were, however, rude and discourteous in their treatment of the Prophet (Peace be upon him). Not being content with their insolent reply, they even stirred up some gangs of the town to harass him. These riff-raffs followed the Prophet (Peace be upon him), abusing and crying and throwing stones on him, until he was compelled to take refuge in an orchard. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) consequently had to endure even more obstacles in Ta'if than he had to face in Mecca. These jerks based on either side of the path threw stones at him until his feet were injured and smeared with blood. These oppressions grievously dejected the Prophet (Peace be upon him), whereby being in such a state of depression, a prayer citing his helplessness and pitiable condition and seeking the aid of God spontaneously came through his lips:

"O Allah", said the Prophet, "To Thee I complain of my weakness, resourcelessness and humiliation before the people. Thou art the Most Merciful, the Lord of the weak and my Master. To whom wilt thou confide me? To one estranged, bearing ill will, or, an enemy given power over me? If Thou art not worth on me, I care not, for Thy favor is abundant upon me. I seek refuge in the light of Thy countenance by which all darkness is dispelled and every affair of this world and the next is set right, lest Thy anger should descend upon me or Thy displeasure light upon me. I need only thy pleasure and satisfaction for only Thou enablest me to do good and evade the evil. There is no power and no might save in thee."

The Lord then sent the angel of mountains who sought the Prophet's (Peace be upon him) permission to join together the two hills between which Ta'if was located but the Messenger of God (Peace be upon him) replied, "No, I hope God will bring forth from their loins people who will worship God alone, associating nothing with Him." (Muslim, Kitab-ul-Jihad).

Moved to compassion by the grief of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), 'Utbah and Shayba Ibn Rabi'a sent for 'Addas, one of their young Christian slaves, and told him to take a bunch of grapes on a platter for the Prophet (Peace be upon him) to which the bondman obeyed. While in the Prophet's presence, Addas observed his kind demeanor that compelled him to talk to him and instantly professed his faith in Allah and His Prophet (Peace be upon him). (18)