Banu Thaqif

Banū Thaqīf was one of the tribes of Arabia during Muhammad's era that settled in Ta'if, in present-day Saudi Arabia. Its descendants, al-Thaqafī, are today only found in Saudi Arabia

History

The tribe worshiped the pre-Islamic Arabian goddess Allāt.

Muhammad's visit to Ta'if — 620

Muhammad went to the city named Ta'if and invited them to Islam, but they refused his message.

Battle of Badr — 624

Akhnas ibn Shariq al-Thaqifi and the Banu Zuhrah where with the Meccan as part of the escort that preceded the battle of Badr but since he believed the caravan to be safe, he did not join Quraish on their way to a festival in Badr. He together with Banu Zuhrah returned, so this two clans present in the battle

Siege — 630

Before the battle of Tabuk and after the battle of Hunayn, they were subjected to the Siege of Taif. However, they held their position and did not succumb to the siege. One of their chieftains, Urwah ibn Mas'ud, was absent in Yemen during that siege.

Urwah ibn Mas'ud

After Urwah returned from Yemen and learned of the battle that had taken place at Tabuk, he hastened to Medina. Urwah had met Muhammad before as an adversary, but he accepted Islam on this meeting. When he declared his intentions of returning to his city to preach, he was warned by Muhammad that they would fight him. Urwah, however, felt too sure of his position and influence with his people. He answered: