The Journey to Taif: In Search of a Door of Hope

After the passing of Abu Talib and Khadijah, the opposition in Mecca found their opportunity. As though they had been waiting for this moment, they intensified their oppression and injustice against Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

So severe had their hostility become—mockery, humiliation, and persecution—that he was almost unable to continue his mission of conveying the message.

Yet this cruelty, though it deeply wounded his heart, never caused him to abandon his purpose.

This journey was not merely a change of place. It was a search for a new door of hope—for humanity itself.

For this reason, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) decided to travel to Taif. His aim was clear: to seek protection from the tribe of Thaqif and to invite them to the message of Islam—after being denied even the right to live in Mecca by Quraysh.

Accompanying him on this journey was his loyal companion, Zayd ibn Harithah (may Allah be pleased with him).

Zayd: Have you heard? The Prophet is going to Taif.
Ali: Just as we expected… Taif is like the highland of Mecca. It has many wells, fertile lands… a beautiful place. I hope its people are just as kind. I hope they treat him well.
Zayd: More importantly, Taif has no central authority, Ali. Each tribe governs its own land. If we can build a relationship with even one tribe—or if even one accepts faith—we may gain strength against Mecca.
Ali:InshaAllah (God willing)… The oppression has become unbearable. I wish Allah would protect us from their harm.
Zayd: Also, the wealthy of Mecca have strong ties with Taif. Many own estates there. Just imagine—if Taif accepts Islam, what would happen to the leaders of Mecca?
Ali: I wish they would accept this call… I truly do. Will you accompany him?
Zayd: Yes. We will go together.
Ali: May Allah make it easy for you. Return with good news.
Zayd: Ameen (Amen)… InshaAllah.

A Call That Began with Hope, Met with Silence

After days of travel, they reached Taif.

The first encounter carried a quiet sense of hope.

The leaders of Thaqif received them.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) remained in Taif for about ten days (according to some reports, nearly a month). During this time, he went from door to door—calling people not to idols, but to Allah ( the One God ); inviting them to be saved from the fire and to attain eternal peace.

Yet despite this sincere and compassionate call, the people of Taif did not offer the support he hoped for.

On the contrary, he was met with mockery and insults he had never expected.

Sakif Leader: Bring grapes for our guests. Let them see the blessings of Taif.
Zayd: Thank you for your kindness.
Sakif Leader: Tell us… what is happening in Mecca?
Sakif Leader: It is not easy… We lost Abu Talib. His absence has changed everything.
Sakif leader: He was a great man… My condolences.

Pride and Denial in the Face of Truth

As the conversation deepened, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) gently revealed his purpose.

He invited them to believe in Allah, the One without partner, and to support him in this path of truth.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted…
Sakif leader: You want us to abandon our religion?
Other Sakif Leader: If you are truly a prophet… why do you seek help from us?
Another Sakif Leader: Could God not find anyone other than you to send as a prophet?
Zayd(unable to remain silent): Will you not even listen? He brings you the truth!
Sakif Leader(harshly): Who are you to speak?
Zayd: It is not about me! It is about the truth that has come to you!
Sakif Leader: Enough! Leave this place at once.

Stoned Truth: The Most Painful Scene of Humanity

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not argue further. He chose silence—and began to leave.

But that silence became the beginning of a storm.

The leaders incited the people: “Gather! This man insults your traditions!”

Soon, the streets filled—children, servants, restless crowds…

And then… stones.

Zayd: Stop! He is the Messenger of Allah! My dear Prophet, come this way! Your head is bleeding… please hold on… just a little more…

But the stones did not stop.

The blessed feet of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were covered in blood.

Zayd tried to shield him with his own body.

This was not merely rejection…

it was cruelty laid bare.

The stoning continued until they were driven out of the city.

Later, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would describe this day as the most difficult day of his life .

Finally, wounded and exhausted, they found refuge in a vineyard belonging to Utbah and Shaybah, the sons of Rabi‘ah.

A Refuge: A Garden, A Prayer, A Surrender

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), exhausted and wounded, sought refuge under the shade of a vine.

There, he poured out one of the most profound supplications ever uttered:

A Profound Supplication

“O Allah! To You alone I complain of my weakness, my helplessness, and my lowliness in the sight of people.

O Most Merciful of the merciful! You are the Lord of the oppressed—those whom people deem insignificant and abandon. And You are my Lord.

You are far too Merciful to leave me in the hands of a harsh and hostile enemy.

O Allah! As long as I do not incur Your ghadab (displeasure), I do not mind what I endure.

Yet Your ‘afw (pardon) and maghfirah (forgiveness) are far more expansive for me.

I seek refuge in the light of Your Face, which illuminates all darkness and sets right the affairs of this world and the Hereafter.

Protect me from Your displeasure and from being deprived of Your riḍā (pleasure).

Until You are pleased with me, I will continue to seek Your forgiveness.

There is no power and no strength except through You.”

From a distance, the owners of the garden watched this scene. Something stirred within them… a quiet sense of compassion.

A Divine Gift: The Light in the Heart of Addas

They called their servant Addas.
Utbah: Take a plate of grapes to that man.
Addas: At once.
Addas approached Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was resting beneath the shade of a vine, and gently said:
Addas: This is a gift from my masters.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Bismillah (In the name of Allah),” and began to eat.
That simple phrase caught Addas’s attention.
Addas(astonished): No one here speaks like this…
Then he asked:
Addas: You are not like these people… Who are you?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) asked him where he was from and what his religion was.
Addas: I am from Nineveh… I am a Christian.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) then told him that he was from the land of the righteous man Yunus (Jonah), son of Matta.
Addas: How do you know Yunus?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained that Yunus was his brother and a prophet, and stated that he himself is a prophet.

At that moment, something awakened in Addas’s heart.

He stood up, overwhelmed…

and kissed his hands…

and embraced faith.

The owners of the garden were watching all this from afar:

One of the brothers said: Your servant has been influenced.
Utbah & Shaybah: Shame on you, Addas! Why would you do this?
Addas: There is no one on earth better than this man. He told me something only a prophet could know.

How blessed was Addas…

that in one of the darkest moments of history,

he became a believer—and a source of comfort to the Prophet.

Taif Through the Lens of Wisdom: The Value of One Heart

Outwardly, the journey to Taif seemed to end in:

Stones…
blood…
loneliness…

But in reality?

One heart found its way from darkness to light.

For in the Divine sight, the guidance of a single sincere heart can outweigh the rejection of entire cities.

The faith of Addas was not only a sign that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not return empty-handed— it was also a quiet answer to his supplication.

More than that, it marked one of the earliest moments when Islam stepped beyond the boundaries of Mecca.

A servant… far from his homeland… found truth.

And with that, the message began to transcend borders.

This moment silently declares:

Truth does not belong to the powerful,
nor to the elite,
nor to a single qawm (people or nation).

It belongs to every heart that is open.

And often, history does not remember the crowds…

…but that one quiet soul
who chose the truth.

Reflect for a moment…

Imagine living in Taif…
unknown… unseen… a servant among many.

No one knows your name.
No one expects anything from you.

And then one day—
a wounded man enters your city.

Rejected…
Mocked…
Driven out with stones.

You are sent with something simple—
a plate of grapes.

Nothing more.

Yet in that quiet moment,
you hear a word you have never heard before:

“Bismillah…” (In the name of God)

A word… that opens a door.

And suddenly—
your heart recognizes truth.

A whole city turns away…
Yet one heart is chosen.

A servant…
receives what a city refused.

Do not underestimate a single moment.

Do not overlook a simple act.

A word may guide a soul.
A small offering may open the gates of eternity.

Perhaps this is the quiet secret:

To add one small act of goodness each day…
is a simple intention—
yet one that transforms a life.

A smile…
a kind word…
a gentle act of care—

when done without expectation,
heals the one who gives it first.

Do not look down on anyone.

For sometimes—
a greeting,
a smile,
a helping hand…

becomes the greatest charity.

History may remember crowds…

But in the sight of truth—

it is that one sincere heart
that changes everything.