Sirah of the Final Prophet: Oppression, Conversions, and Abyssinia

Vocabulary and key concept flashcards covering the social boycott, the deaths and conversions of major figures, and the Muslim migration to Abyssinia from the Sirah notes.

The Boycott of Banū Hāshim

A three-year confinement of the Prophet's family in a narrow valley on the outskirts of Makkah, during which they endured severe starvation and survived by eating leaves, tree bark, and drinking the juice of boiled dried skins.

Abū Lahab

The only member of Prophet Muhammad's family who was not confined to the valley during the three-year boycott.

Hāshim ibn 'Amr

A sympathetic individual who secretly brought food to the besieged Muslims and initiated the successful effort during the third year to dismantle the boycott agreement.

The Ka'bah Boycott Document

The official pact hung inside the Ka'bah whose text was eaten away by white ants, preserving only the opening inscription: "In the name of God Our Lord."

Tenth Year of Prophethood

The year following the end of the boycott that turned into a period of deep sorrow for the Prophet due to the passing of his uncle and protector, Abū Tālib.

Abū Tālib

The Prophet's uncle whose tribal protection had secured the Prophet's personal safety; he died refusing the shahadah on his deathbed after pressure from Quraysh elders, declaring he was on the religion of 'Abd al-Muttalib.

'Abdullāh ibn Umayya

A leader of the Quraysh who, alongside Abū Jahl, stood by Abū Tālib on his deathbed and repeatedly persuaded him not to leave the religion of 'Abd al-Muttalib.

Quran, 28:56

The Quranic verse revealed when Abū Tālib rejected Islam: "It is not you who guides whomever you like. Rather, Allah guides whomever He wills, and He knows best those who are guided."

Surah at-Tawbah (9:113)

The Quranic prohibition received following Abū Tālib's death that forbids the Prophet and the believers from seeking Allah's forgiveness for idolaters, even if they are close kin.

Fātima (Sister of 'Umar)

The sister of 'Umar ibn al-Khattāb whose steadfast determination and blood-stained face softened 'Umar's rage, and who insisted that he wash himself before touching the sacred Quranic parchment.

Khabbāb

The companion who was teaching Surah Tā Hā to Fātima and Sa'īd from a piece of paper and later escorted 'Umar ibn al-Khattāb to accept Islam.

Sūrah Tā Hā

The chapter of the Quran containing verses 1 to 5 and verse 14 that deeply moved 'Umar ibn al-Khattāb and led to his immediate conversion to Islam.

House of Arqam

The gathering location of the Prophet and his companions to which 'Umar ibn al-Khattāb was brought with his sword swinging on his arm to declare his faith.

Mount Safā Incident

The event where Abū Jahl publicly abused and insulted the Prophet in a degrading manner while the Prophet remained completely silent.

Hamza ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib

The Prophet's uncle and one of the bravest men in Makkah who embraced Islam after striking Abū Jahl in the face with his hunting bow at the Ka'bah to avenge his nephew.

Abū 'Ummāra

The honorific kunya used by the slavegirl of 'Abdullāh ibn Jud'ān when informing Hamza of the humiliation inflicted upon the Prophet by Abū Jahl.

Najāshi

The Christian King of Abyssinia who granted safety to Muslim migrants, wept upon hearing Surah Maryam, and confirmed that Jesus's true nature did not differ from the Quranic description even by the length of a straw.

'Amr ibn al-'Ās

The envoy dispatched by the Quraysh to King Najāshi to secure the extradition of the Muslim refugees, who was forced to concede in open court that the Muslims were not runaway slaves, murderers, or thieves.

Ja'far ibn Abī Tālib

The spokesperson for the Muslims in Abyssinia who interrogated 'Amr before Najāshi, eloquently described their departure from the pagan era of ignorance (Jāhiliyyah), and recited Surah Maryam to the king.

Sūrah Maryam

The chapter of the Quran recounting the story of the birth of Jesus that was recited by Ja'far ibn Abī Tālib to King Najāshi, moving him to tears and securing royal protection.