Page 49 - History of The Quranic Text | Kalamullah.Com

EARLY HISTORY OF ISLAM: A BRIEF LOOK 29

like the rest of Quraish..Failingto subdue him once again, Quraish wrote a
decree instating a boycott of the Hashim and al-Muttalib sub-clans:marriage,
and all forms of buying and selling, between the rest of Quraish and the
two sub-clans was completely suspended, such that not even basicprovisions
could be secured. This ruthless and devastating embargo carried on for three
years, during which the Prophet and his clans suffered immeasurably, carving
out a precarious existence with nothing to eat but the tough leaves of the
sparse desert vegetation."

viii. The Pledge of 'Aqaba

A decade of preaching and the Prophet had earned a few hundred steadfast
followers, all enduring every conceivable form of persecution. During this
time the new faith had also touched the ears and hearts of some people
in Madinah, an oasis territory about 450 kilometres north of Makkah.
These Muslims wouldjourney to visit him during each pilgrimage season;
their numbers steadily grew until they fmally met with the Prophet in
secrecy at 'Aqaba, in nearby Mina under cover of night, to make the
following pledge."

Figure 2.2: Thesite where the 'Aqaba pledge wasmade
(an old Mosque adorns the place). Photo by Anasal-A{?:,amf.

66 Ibn Hisham, Sira, vol. 1-2,pp. 350-51; Ibn Ishaq, as-Seyr ioa al-Maghii;(i, the version
of Ibn Bukair, pp. 154-167.
67 Ibn Hisham, Sira, vol. 1-2, p. 433.