Siege of Ta'if

Background

After the conquest of Mecca in January 630 by the Muslims, Muhammads position in the Hejaz had strengthened significantly. Several tribal groups which had already had tensions with the Quraysh formed a coalition and aimed to check Muhammad's power.{{cite book | last=Watt | first=W. Montgomery | title=Muhammad at Medina | publisher=Clarendon Press | location=Oxford | year=1956 | oclc=705081420 | page=70-71 Most of the survivors from these battles fled towards Ta'if with Muhammads army coming to the city just a few days later.

Siege

A few unsuccessful attempts were made by Muhammad's forces to break through the gates of Ta'if. Later Muslim historians say Muhammad may have even used the Roman Testudo formation during this siege, but it was reported that the inhabitants of Ta'if were able to break this siege by dropping hot irons upon the Muslim armies from the city walls. Other methods were also attempted such as offering freedom to slaves who defected and cutting down vineyards.{{cite book|last = Muir|first = William|title = The Life of Mahomet|publisher = Kessinger Publishing Co.|location = Whitefish, MT|year = 2003|isbn = 978-0-7661-7741-3|page = 145

At one point,, Sunni sources state the following regarding the siege of Ta'if:

:Abu Sufyan ibn Harb lost his one eye in the siege of Ta'if. He told Muhammad of his loss for God to which Muhammad said *“Which would you prefer: An eye in heaven or shall I pray to Allah that He brings it back?” *To this Abu Sufyan said he would rather have his eye in heaven.{{cite book

The siege went on for half a month with little change and soldiers became very impatient. Following consultation with advisors and a prophetic dream, Muhammad ended the siege and withdrew his forces.{{cite book|last = Muir|first = William|title = The Life of Mahomet|publisher = Kessinger Publishing Co.|location = Whitefish, MT|year = 2003|isbn = 978-0-7661-7741-3|page = 147

Motivations for ending the siege

After 15 days, the siege was lifted. This was primarily in due to Thaqifs fierce resistance and strong walls. If the siege had been allowed to go on, segments of his soldiers would've become restive and much of the prestige gained from Hunayn and its aftermath would have been lost. Another motivating factor was that any type of reconciliations with Thaqif after a long siege would have been harder.

Aftermath

Although the siege was unsuccessful, Muhammad vowed to return to Ta'if after the lapse of the sacred months in which fighting was forbidden. During this period, the inhabitants of Ta'if, the Banu Thaqif, sent a delegation to Mecca. They demanded that Muhammad let them continue to worship their goddess Al-lāt for a period of three years, yet had conspired to have him assassinated. When this conspiracy was discovered, and their ambush failed, Muhammad refused the proposal and would only accept their surrender if they agreed to disarm. Eventually the Banu Thaqif consented to Muhammad's request, surrendering and allowing the Muslims into their city.

Muhammad sought to get the chief of the Banu Hawazan (called Malik) on his side, and promised the release of his family and the return of all his property if Malik embraced Islam. Malik accepted the offer and became a Muslim, aiding Muhammad in his blockade of Ta'if. Malik disrupted the ability of the citizens of Ta'if to graze their cattle outside of the city, further increasing the difficulty of life inside the walls.

References

References

1. Watt, W. Montgomery. (1956). "Muhammad at Medina". Clarendon Press.
2. Watt, W. Montgomery. (1961). "Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman". Oxford University Press.
3. [http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/MH_LM/year_of_deputations_and_abu_bakrs_leadership.htm The Year of Deputations and Abu Bakr's Leadership of the Pilgrimage]
4. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Feo9AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA155 The life of Mahomet and history of Islam to the era of the Hegira: Volume 4, By Sir William Muir, Pg 155]