Ta'if

Taif ( ) is a city in the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia at an elevation of 1700 metres on the slopes of the Al-Sarawat mountains. It has a population of 521,273 (2004 census). Each summer the Saudi Government moves from the heat of Riyadh to Taif. The city is the centre of an agricultural area known for its grapes and honey.

History

Stoning Muhammad — 620

In 620, after the Year of Sorrow and shortly before the Hijrah, the Islamic prophet Muhammad went to this city and invited them to Islam. The invited people answered in a rude maner and started throwing stones against them. Muhammad became injured and rested under the tree. When suddenly a Christian came to save him. The Christian then converted to Islam. Prophet Muhammad then prayed to Allah about this event. The entire visit lasted one day.

Battles — 630

In 630, the Battle of Hunayn took place at Hunayn, close to this city. Shortly after that, the unsuccesfull Siege of Taif took place. The city was assaulted by catapults from Banu Daws, but it repeled the attacks. Later, after the Battle of Tabouk in 631, this city adopted Islam.

Exile — ?

Hakam ibn Wa'il and Marwan ibn al-Hakam were exiled from Medina to here by Muhammad. They were summoned back by Uthman during his caliphat. later, Marwan became a Caliph.http://www.dartabligh.org/books/ebooks/Role_vol1/page139.asp

Gulf War — 1991

Taif is the site of The Rendon Group's television and radio network used to feed the news to Kuwait during the occupation of Kuwait by Iraq.

Chieftains

During the pre-Islamic era, the city was populated by the tribe of Thaqif. The city had then the folloing chieftains:

People born here

References

Cities in Saudi Arabia

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