Expedition of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb


Expedition of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb or the Demolition of al-Lat, occurred in the same year as the Battle of Tabuk. Muhammad sent Abu Sufyan with a group armed men to destroy the Idol Allāt that was worshipped by the citizens of Taif. The destruction of the idol was a demand by Muhammad before any reconciliation could take place with the citizens of Taif.The event is also mentioned in the Quran verse 17:73.

Quran 17:73

According to the Muslim scholar Al-Suyuti, the Quran verse 17:73 was "revealed" about this event, after the tribe asked Muhammad to be excused from the daily prayers

Islamic primary sources

Quran

The event is mentioned in the Quran :
Al Suyuti's commentary on the verse is as follows:

Early Muslim sources

The event is mentioned by the Muslim jurist Tabari. He wrote: