The sahaba had a lot of love and reverence for the prophet (SAW). It also makes sense for us to know how much love he had for us. When the prophet (SAW) went to Ta’if just to invite them to the message of Allah (SWT), they responded in a very rough and crude way. Not only did they reject the message of the prophet (SAW), they then sent children after them to hit him with sticks and throw stones at him. They continued to pelt him with stones until he started bleeding. He bled so much that the blood accumulated in the soles of his shoes, and his shoes became stuck to his feet. While this was happening, he was wiping the blood and trying to make sure it did not fall on the ground. He did this because when the blood of a prophet is spilled, nothing can stop the people who hurt the prophet can stop the wrath of Allah (SWT).
When the angels came to offer the prophet (SAW) revenge, the prophet (SAW) refused. He said, “If these people do not believe right now, I hope that Allah (SWT) will produce such people in their children and their future generations who will accept the message of Allah (SWT). These same people caused a lot of trouble for the prophet (SAW) in the coming years. The sahaba came to the prophet (SAW), saying, “The people of Thaqif have tortured and punished us. Make du’a that Allah (SWT) may destroy them.” The prophet (SAW) simply raised his hands and said, “O Allah, give them guidance.”
[From a Lecture Delivered by Mufti Aasim Rashid]
The Importance of The Sunnah