(101)
infidels were sarcastic, in the same respect as any lowly people
and rubble would be.
Ibn Abbas reported that the Quraishians once held
a meeting in the Sacred Mosque and vowed by their Idols that as soon as
they saw Muhammad, they would all participate in killing him; upon hearing
this, Fatima (A.S.) went crying to her father and informed him of their conspiracy.
The crisis became more intense when the Messenger
of Allah was forcefully confined to Abu Talib's trail (valley) along with
his family and all the members of Abu Talib's family. They lived in an
atmosphere overtaken by fear and anxiety of the constantly expected attack
by the infidels at night. The situation grew even worse when the polytheists
drew up a treaty to besiege Bani Hashim and impose economic sanctions against
them; this treaty allowed no one to sell or buy anything from them, including
food supplies.
Therefore, the cries of starving children reached
the ears of all Meccan inhabitants. The people of Mecca were divided into
two groups: One who was enjoying the misfortunes of the Bani Hashim and
the other was deeply affected with their misery.
This situation continued for more than three years.
Fatima was one of those who suffered from this siege, which resulted in
awakening the spirit of struggle, honesty and endurance in her; it was
as if she was spending a period of training and exercise for the near future.
Nevertheless, the predicament was made easier when
Fatima saw the courageous hero, Abu Talib, aided by Hamza keeping steadfast
and helping her father in every way against the infidels' aggression. Abu
Talib declared his adherence to Islam through uttering poetry. Once, the
Quraishan heads objected to Abu Talib's support of the Prophet; they said
to him: "We will give you a
