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After the tragic events at Ta'if, where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ faced rejection and physical harm, he found himself in a dire situation.

His uncle Abu Lahab had revoked his protection, leaving him effectively exiled from his city of Mecca.

With nowhere to turn, his loyal companion Zayd ibn Harithah asked, "O Messenger of Allah, how will we enter Mecca now that its people have turned you away?"

The Prophet ﷺ replied, "O Zayd, Allah will make way for us.”

The Prophet ﷺ sought the protection of a few noblemen in Mecca.

His only reply came from Mut'im ibn Adi, a respected chieftain known for his integrity and sense of justice.

Years before, during the harsh years of the boycott against the Muslims, Mut'im had taken significant personal and political risks to support them.

He had secretly sent a camel laden with food and provisions to the besieged Banu Hashim.

This was no trivial act—the value of his caravan was worth around $50,000 today.

More importantly, had he been caught, the heads of the other tribes would have persecuted him.

This significant personal risk and generosity kept the Muslims alive during their darkest hours.

Now, upon receiving the Prophet's request for protection, Mut'im did not hesitate again.

He instructed his sons to arm themselves and personally escort Muhammad ﷺ back to Mecca.

This was a bold and courageous move, openly defying the leaders who opposed the Prophet.

Mut'im's sons, fully prepared for any confrontation, found the Prophet ﷺ outside the city and brought him back under their vigilant protection.

As they approached the sacred Kaaba, Mut'im stood tall and instructed the Prophet ﷺ,

"Perform your Tawaf, and I will wait for you."

The Prophet ﷺ entered the Haram, encircled by Mut'im's sons, their weapons visible to all.

The leaders of Quraysh watched silently as he performed the Tawaf.

They could do nothing but observe; the authority and respect commanded by Mut'im rendered them powerless to interfere.

This moment was raw and profound—the sight of the Prophet ﷺ, guarded by the sons of a noble non-Muslim ally, boldly performing his worship in the face of adversity.

When the Prophet ﷺ completed his Tawaf, Mut'im publicly declared, "O people of Mecca! I have granted protection to Muhammad."

For the next year and a half to two years, the Prophet ﷺ lived in Mecca with Mut'im's protection.

Sadly, Mut'im ibn Adi passed away without embracing Islam.

Yet, his legacy of nobility and support remained etched in the Prophet's heart.

Following the Battle of Badr, where over seventy prisoners of war were captured—many from the elite of Quraysh—the Prophet ﷺ made a beautiful statement:

"If Mut'im ibn Adi were alive today and spoke to me regarding these prisoners, I would release them all for his sake."

This declaration was exceptional.

The prisoners were extremely valuable, and ransoming them brought significant wealth to the Muslim community—over a million dollars in today’s money.

These prisoners were also influential Quraysh figures, many of whom had opposed him during his time in Mecca.

Yet, the Prophet ﷺ was willing to forgo all of that out of gratitude to a man who had shown him kindness when he needed it most.

The fact that the Prophet ﷺ honored Mut'im out of the blue at this time is a lesson for us.

Mut'im ibn Adi's story teaches us that virtues like justice, compassion, and integrity are universal.

In our times, we often find ourselves caught in our own social bubbles—be it within our families or our immediate communities.

Mut'im's example reminds us of the importance of engaging with the wider community and recognizing and appreciating the virtues in others, regardless of their backgrounds and beliefs.

Just as the Prophet ﷺ engaged with and honored Mut'im, we too should recognize the goodness in others and work together to promote understanding, justice, and harmony in our communities.

By stepping outside our comfort zones and connecting with those around us, we enrich our lives and contribute more to society.