The Hijrah of Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) – continued

On the night when the disbelievers intended killing Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), they surrounded his house and remained outside, waiting for him to emerge.

Initially, the disbelievers intended to climb over the wall and enter the house to assassinate Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, they heard a voice from within the house and thought it to be the voice of a woman. Hence, according to the custom of the Arabs at that time, they felt it disrespectful to enter the home and kill a man before his womenfolk. Thus, they decided that they would wait outside the house and kill Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) when he emerged. (Rowdh-ul-Unf 2/309)