Muhammad sent Abu Sufyan[3] with a group armed men to destroy the Idol Allāt (also referred to as al-Tagiyyah) that was worshipped by the citizens of Taif.
[4] According to the Muslim scholar Al-Suyuti, the Quran verse 17:73 was "revealed" about this event, after the tribe asked Muhammad to be excused from the daily prayers[4] The event is mentioned in the Quran (according to al-Suyuti): And their purpose was to tempt thee away from that which We had revealed unto thee, to substitute in our name something quite different; (in that case), behold!
[Tafsir al Jalayn on 17:73][4]The event is mentioned by the Muslim jurist Tabari (he refers to al-Lat as Tagiyyah, which is an alternate name).
The two traveled with the deputation until they approached al-Ta'if, at which point al-Mughirah asked Abu Sufyan to precede him.
The women of Thaqif came out with their heads uncovered and said, lamenting the [loss of the] idol [ie, the goddess] "Oh, shed tears for the protector!