Siege of Taif (630 AD)

 Siege of Taif took place when Muslims besieged the Hawazin and Thaqeef tribes after the Battle of Hunain. The siege started on February 5, 630 (the 15th of Shawal, 8 AH) and lasted till February 23, 630 (the 4th of Dhul Qad, 8 AH) when it was raised. The 18 days long siege lasted unsuccessfully and Muslims returned to Mecca.

Location: Taif, Arabia
Besiger: Muslims
Besieged: Banu Hawazin and Banu Thaqeef
Muslim Leaders: Prophet Muhammad, Abu Bakr, Khalid ibn Al-Walid
Hawazin and Thaqeef Leaders: Malik bin Auf
Muslim Losses: 12 men
Hawazin and Thaqeef losses: None
Other notable personalities: Abu Sufyan, Salman Farsi
Result: Siege unsuccessful

The Siege
Muslims camped near the walls of Taif after laying siege but it was too close to the walls and they suffered some casualties before they came out of the range of enemy archers. The fort was encircled and exit points were covered to prevent any entry or escape. The besieged archers were in a better position and maintained upper hand during the exchange of archery between the two sides. Abdullah ibn Abu Bakr died due to the wound suffered during this siege. With the help of Salman Farsi (Salman The Persian) muslims built a catapult and testudo but the desired results were far from being achieved. Testudo was a movable protective covering that provided protection from above when approaching the walls of a besieged fortification. It was destroyed by pouring hot molten iron from above.
The lost eye
Abu Sufyan who had accepted Islam after Conquest of Makkah, lost his eye to the archers in the Siege of Taif. He told Muhammad of his loss for Allah to which Muhammad said “Which would you prefer: An eye in heaven or shall I pray to Allah that he brings it back?” To this Abu Sufyan said he would rather have his eye in heaven. Later he lost his other eye during the Battle of Yarmouk.
End of Siege
Muslims attacked the fort several times but were repelled. Half a month was passed and the end was still not in sight. Some vineyards were destroyed nearby to get the enemy out to defend them but Malk bin Auf was not ready to take on muslims in the open after the disaster of Hunain.
At last a war council was called. One of the participants said,"When you corner a fox in its hole, if you stay long enough you catch the fox. But if you leave the fox in its hole it does you no harm."
Abu Bakr advised a return to Makkah, and Umar agreed with him.
The siege was called off. Muslims lost 12 men during the siege engagements.
Aftermath
Muslims marched back from Taif and spoils of Hunain were distributed but shortly a delegation of Hawazin reached Prophet Muhammad accepting Islam. They pleaded the return of their women and children which was accepted. The Muslims were very generous to the new members of their faith.
After a few days Malik bin Auf came to Muslim camp and accepted Islam.
The siege was not successful but the threat had been neutralized. This was indeed the desirable result for Muslims.
Sources
Wikipedia
The sword of Allah, Life and campaigns (A I Akram)