One day, Hishaam bin ‘Amr took this thought to Zuhair bin Umayyah. Zuhair bin Umayyah was the grandson of ‘Abdul Muttalib, and son of ‘Aatikah bint Muttalib, the aunt of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (she was the sister of ‘Abdullah, the father of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hishaam came to Zuhair and said, “O Zuhair! Does it please you that you are able to eat what you wish, wear what you wish and marry whom you wish, while your mother’s brothers are longing for just a few grains to eat? By Allah! If Abu Jahal’s uncles and maternal relatives were suffering these hardships, then he would never tolerate and accept this resolution.”
Zuhair responded, “Unfortunately, I am alone. What difference can one person make? If I could just find one more person who shares my sentiments, then I would stand up against this resolution.”
Hishaam bin ‘Amr stood and left Zuhair, heading towards Mut’im bin ‘Adiyy. On meeting Mut’im and speaking to him, he also convinced him that the resolution was unjust and needed to be broken. After agreeing with him, Mut’im shared the same feeling as Zuhair saying, “Convince another person to join us and support us.” Accordingly, Hishaam next went to Abul Bakhtari, and thereafter to Zam‘ah bin Aswad, and convinced them to support breaking the resolution.
When these five people were ready and agreed to break the resolution, then they unanimously said, “Tomorrow, when all the people have assembled, then we will raise the issue.” From all of them, Zuhair volunteered to commence the discussion.
The following morning, when all the people had assembled in the musjid, Zuhair stood and addressed the people saying, “O people of Makkah! It is extremely lamentable and shameful that we are able to eat, drink and wear what we wish, and marry whom we wish, while the Banu Haashim are dying from starvation. By Allah! Until this oppressive and malicious resolution is not torn apart, I will not sit.” Hearing this, Abu Jahal retorted, “This resolution of god can never be torn apart!”
However, Zam‘ah bin Aswad then declared, “By Allah! It will definitely be torn apart! Even at the time when this resolution was being written, we were not pleased with it!” Abul Bakhtari next voiced his support saying, “Zam‘ah is speaking the truth! We were also unhappy with the resolution.” Mut’im then added his voice saying, “Undoubtedly, these two are correct!” Hishaam bin ‘Amr then further supported what he said.
When Abu Jahal saw the direction that the gathering had taken, he was surprised and remarked, “It would seem that they already made this decision last night.”
In the meantime, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) informed his uncle, Abu Taalib, that besides the names of Allah Ta‘ala, ants had eaten the entire document on which the oppressive resolution was written. With the exception of ‘Bismikallahumma’, which would be written at the beginning of every document, the ants had eaten all the other letters.
Abu Taalib came to the Quraish and informed them of what Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had mentioned saying, “This is what my nephew says, and my nephew has never spoken a lie, nor has any claim that he made until today proven to be false. Come, let us make a decision. If the claim of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is correct and is proven to be true then you should cease this persecution. If his claim is false then we are prepared to hand him over to you. You may then kill him if you wish, or let him live if you wish.”
The people agreed saying, “O Abu Taalib! You have made a fair and just proposal.” They then sent for the document.
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/266-267)