The Return from Taif
The Prophet’s mission to Taif (approximately 10 years after the beginning of revelation) was an attempt to find support among the Thaqif tribe after the deaths of Khadija and Abu Talib in the same year had removed his two greatest protectors. The mission failed catastrophically: the Thaqif leadership mocked the Prophet, set young men to throw stones at him, and expelled him. He left bleeding.
Outside Mecca, the Prophet faced a problem: he could not safely re-enter without the protection of a tribal patron (jiwar). Several Meccan leaders refused. Al-Mut’im ibn Adi accepted.
The Act of Protection
Al-Mut’im was not merely giving verbal permission — he donned his armor with his sons and escorted the Prophet into the Masjid al-Haram, publicly declaring that Muhammad was under his protection. Any attack on the Prophet would mean war with the Banu Nawfal. This was a serious personal commitment from a senior Meccan pagan.
The Prophet’s Statement at Badr
When the Muslim forces captured Meccan prisoners at Badr, including close relatives of al-Mut’im (who had died shortly before), the Prophet said: “If al-Mut’im ibn Adi were alive today and interceded for these people, I would release them all, for his sake.” This is one of the most striking statements about pre-Islamic virtue and prophetic loyalty in the sirah.
See also: Seerah Nawfal Ibn Khuwaylid, Seerah Al Walid Ibn Al Mughirah, Seerah Al Hajjaj Ibn Ilat, Seerah Hindun Bint Utbah, Fath Mecca