Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that this (famine) occurred because when the Quraysh persisted in polytheism instead of accepting the invitation of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), he prayed for a famine upon them like that which occurred in the time of Yusuf (peace be upon him). Consequently, the famine reached such a point that people began to eat bones. People would look up towards the sky, but due to the severity of hunger and starvation, they could see nothing but smoke. Regarding this, Allah the Exalted revealed this verse: "So wait for the Day when the sky will bring forth a visible smoke, which will envelop the people. This will be a painful punishment." It is narrated that then a person came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and said, "O Messenger of Allah! Pray for rain for the tribe of Mudar, for they have been destroyed." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "You ask me to pray for Mudar? You are very bold." Eventually, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed for them, and it rained. Upon this, the verse "Indeed, you will return (to disbelief)" was revealed (meaning, although you have promised faith, you will return to disbelief). Thus, when prosperity returned among them, they reverted to polytheism (and forgot their promise of faith). Upon this, Allah the Exalted revealed this verse: "On the Day when We will seize with the greatest seizure, We will indeed take full retribution." It is narrated that this verse refers to the Battle of Badr.