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Dhi Majaz was one of the 3 great seasonal markets of pre-Islamic Arabia, together with 'Ukaz and Majannah. It was held every year in a valley about 20 km east of Makkah, during the first eight days of Dhul-Hijjah, just before the Hajj.
It was a place of trade between tribes, poetic competition (mu'allaqat), public reading of literary works, and cultural and political exchanges.
Ibn Hisham · As-Sirah · Tabari
During the first years of Islam in Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ went to these markets to preach Islam to the Arab tribes that had come from all over the peninsula.
Tariq ibn Abdullah al-Muharibi رضي الله عنه reports:
> "I saw the Prophet ﷺ passing through the market of Dhi Majaz. He was wearing a red cloak and calling out: 'O people, say: "There is no deity but Allah, and you will be saved."' And behind him, a man [Abu Lahab, his uncle] was throwing stones at him until his ankles bled. He was saying: 'O people, do not obey him, he is a liar!'"
Mustadrak Al-Hakim · Sunan ad-Daraqutni no. 2976 (judged authentic by Ibn al-Mulaqqin, al-Badr al-Munir)
This episode shows the relentless hostility of Abu Lahab, the uncle of the Prophet ﷺ, who followed him into the markets to discredit his message. Allah cursed Abu Lahab in the Quran:
> "May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he!"
Quran 111:1 (Surah Al-Masad)
Several important conversions took place at these markets. The site is today an archaeological remnant. It bears witness to pre-Islamic culture (jahiliyyah), to the preaching efforts of the Prophet ﷺ, and to the initial hostility of the Quraysh.