—out of faith and sure conviction.

When Quraysh realized that the clan had indeed placed the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, under their protection and had closed ranks around him, the idolaters of Quraysh met together and unanimously decided that they would neither sit with Banū Hāshim, nor trade with them, nor enter their houses until they handed the Messenger of Allah over to be killed. In furtherance of their scheme they wrote a document, binding themselves with pledges and covenants that they would never make peace with Banū Hāshim, nor let any compassion move them toward them, until they surrendered him to death.

Banū Hāshim therefore remained confined in their mountain pass for three years. The affliction and hardship became intense. Quraysh severed them from the markets: whenever food or merchandise reached Mecca they rushed to buy it first, leaving nothing for them, hoping thereby to bring about the shedding of the Messenger of Allah’s blood, peace and blessings be upon him.

Ibn Isḥāq adds in his report:

The cries of their children, wailing from hunger behind the ravine, could be heard. They attacked those who had embraced Islam, bound them in fetters, and harmed them. The trial intensified, the ordeal became immense, and they were shaken