quraish, seeing that the messenger of allâh [pbuh] was still intent on his call, realized that abu talib would never forsake his nephew even if this incurred their enmity. some of them then went to see him once more taking with them a youth called ‘amarah bin al-waleed bin al-mugheerah, and said, "o abu talib! we have brought you a smart boy still in the bloom of his youth, to make use of his mind and strength and take him as your son in exchange for your nephew, who has run counter to your religion, brought about social discord, found fault with your way of life, so that we kill him and rid you of his endless troubles; just man for man." abu talib’s reply was, "it is really an unfair bargain. you give me your son to bring him up and i give you my son to kill him! by allâh, it is something incredible!!" al-mut‘im bin ‘adi, a member of the delegation, interrupted saying that quraish had been fair in that bargain because "they meant only to rid you of that source of hateful trouble, but as i see you are determined to refuse their favours." abu talib, of course, turned down all their offers and challenged them to do whatever they pleased.[ibn hisham 1/266] historical resources do not give the exact date of these two meetings with abu talib. they, however, seem more likely to have taken place in the sixth year of prophethood with a brief lapse of time in between.
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