The tenth year of Prophecy.

The year of sorrow.

Shawwal month.

The noble Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went to Ta'if with Zayd ibn Harithah through his breastfeeding mother's land - the Banu Sa'd land. They hoped that if any light came from Taif, the grief receded, the call would go ahead.

When the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) reached Taif, he met with the leaders of the tribe of Thaqif, who were the principal inhabitants of the town. He then convened a meeting with them to call them to Islam.

But their response was the worst. They mocked him. As if this was not enough, they sent their fools, their slaves and their disobedient children to insult the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and throw stones to him. The Taifs stood on both sides of the road and stoned him as he passed. The Prophet's feet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) were filled with blood, their hearts were full of sorrow, and their tongues were supplications to Allah:

“Allah! I complain of my weak energy and my little trick, my weakness in front of men! O the Compassionate! You are the Lord of the weak. You are my Lord! Who will You put me with? Stranger to me which dislike me? Or did You entrust my work to the enemy? Unless You are angry with me, I don't care of them! But for me You have plenty. I seek refuge the wrath of the light of Your face, which illumines the darkness and makes the world and the Hereafter profitable. Sorry  till You consent. All power and strength belong only to Allah.''

Allah Almighty accepted the prayers of His Prophet immediately. From that moment on things started to go ahead slowly.