Such was their plight that they were no longer able to send their flocks to graze outside the city walls as they feared Malik's men would seize them and were in fear of his threat to put them to death if they were caught and refused to renounce their gods. Inside the walled city, things deteriorated to such an extent that it was decided that they would send a deputation to the Prophet (sa) saying that they would accept Islam and ask for a guarantee that their kinsmen and flocks would be safe.

V the Thakif Deputation

It was the middle of Ramadan when the deputation reached Medina. A tent was erected for them not far from the Mosque and they were treated with Islamic courtesy and hospitality.

No Compromise in Faith and Prayer.

When they met the Prophet (sa) they presented their proposal to him, however, they added to their original intention permission for the temple to al lat to remain standing for a further three years. When the Prophet (sa) refused their request they bargained for two years, then one, and downwards until they reached one month, but the matter was completely unacceptable to the Prophet (sa).

Having failed at this, they then pleaded with the Prophet (sa) that he should not compel them to destroy their idols but he refused and when they asked permission not to offer the five obligatory daily prayers, the Prophet (sa) replied, "There is no good in a religion that has no obligatory prayer."

Eventually the Thakif accepted the terms and reluctantly agreed to abide by them, and Mughirah, the nephew of Urwah, and Abu Sufyan who was in Mecca at that time, was ordered to return with them and destroy the idol of al lat together with its temple.

The Destruction of the Temple of Al Lat

The deputation from Ta'if entered Islam and joined the Muslims in the remaining days of the fast. At the end of Ramadan, Mughirah, together with his tribesmen set out for Ta'if with the deputation. When they reached Mecca, Abu Sufyan joined them and together they proceeded to Ta'if. Upon reaching Ta'if, Mughirah destroyed the idol of al lat whilst his tribesmen stood guard in readiness to protect him. However, there was no resistance except for the weeping of some women.

Abu Amir and Wahshi

Amongst the residents of Ta'if were two men who were not from the tribe of Thakif but had sought refuge with them. One was Hanzalah's father, Abu Amir, and the other Wahshi, the former Abyssinian slave who had gained his freedom at Badr when he killed Hamza. Now that Ta'if had surrendered there was nothing else for them to do but leave their haven. Abu Amir fled to Syria where he died, but Wahshi learned from the Thakif that if he embraced Islam, the Prophet (sa) would forgive him and his life would no longer be in jeopardy.

Upon hearing this news, he left Ta'if for Medina to embrace Islam. When Wahshi reached Medina he went to the Prophet (sa) to declare his Islam, however, before he could pledge his allegiance one of the companions recognized him and drew the attention of the Prophet (sa) to his presence. In spite of the sad remembrance of Hamza’s brutal martyrdom, the Prophet (sa) compassionately welcomed Wahshi and Wahshi embraced Islam. Then he turned to his companion and told him, “Leave him, one man’s Islam is dearer to me than the killing of a thousand unbelievers.”

Subtle Resistance

As one might suspect, there were among those who newly professed Islam, some who had done so with reluctance. One such person was a man named Dirar who set about building his own mosque to attract those of similar inclination to worship there. To hide his hypocrisy Dirar fabricated the excuse that he had built the Mosque for those too ill or weak to attend the prayers at the Prophet's Mosque and had even gone so far as to invite the Prophet (sa), before he left for Tabuk, to pray there so as to consecrate it to Allah. The Prophet (sa) declined and upon his return journey from Tabuk he ordered the mosque to be burned down. Allah speaks of the mosque and hypocrites in the Koran saying:

"And there are those who have taken a mosque to cause harm, disbelief, and to divide the believers, and as a place of ambush for those who fought Allah and His Messenger before. They swear: ‘We desired nothing but good’ but Allah bears witness that they are liars. You shall never stand there. A mosque founded upon piety from the first day is worthier for you to stand in. In it are men who love to purify themselves. Allah loves those who purify themselves. (Koran 9:107-108)