Opposition and Persecution by the Quraish

Holy Prophet (P.b.u.h) now started to address the people in public and private gatherings and on approach routes to Makah which were used by the pilgrims to the Holy city. His efforts were successful and people started embracing Islam.

Why Quraish Rejected Prophets Message:

Quraish had their own belief system.

They worshipped many gods opposed to Prophet Muhammads message of monotheism.

By changing their ways, they faced losing their status and position as leaders and keepers of the Kabbah.

They alsp feared loosing income.

They felt threatened by the prophets influence upon the youth of Makkah, and his growing support.

Islam preached modesty while the Quraish were used to lavishness. They didn’t believed in life after death.

Quran says:

“Also they say “why is not the Quran sent to some leading man in either of the two (Chief) cities”

“Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a messenger!”

Persecution:

The newly converts were mainly slaves and poor thus they were subjected to great physical torture.

Hazrat Bilal:

He was an Abyssinian slave – was tortured by his master Umaya Bin Khalf.

Hazrat Bilal used to be tied down on the burning sand and a heavy stone laid on his chest yet he remained steadfast  and never renounced his faith. Later Hazrat Abu Bakr freed him.

Zunaira: 

She was a slave girl who was tortured till she turned blind.

Yasir and his wife Summaiya:

Summaiya was tortured to death by Abu Jahl. Thus she was the first martyr of Islam.

Abu Bakr and Talha:

They both were also harassed and were once both tied up together by the Quraishites.

Hazrat Usman :

Hazrat Usman was also tortured by his uncle.

Persecution To Prophet  (P.B.U.H):

When the Prophet Muhammad (P.b.u.h) first called them to Islam at the mount Safa, he was ridiculed and made fun of.

The Quran Says::

“May the hand of Abu Lahab perish, doomed he is. His wealth and his properties shall not save him; he shall be thrown in to a flaming fire of hell.” 

Once when the Prophet  (P.b.u.h) was praying, a Quraish threw intestines of a camel on his back while he was prostrating.

They threw dirt and filth on him, his path was strewn with thorns and brambles and he was even pelted with stones.

Abu Lahab told his sons to divorce their wives who were the prophet’s daughters just to add to his worries.

During the time when there was a gap between the revelations, Makkans used to mock the Prophet (P.b.u.h) that his God has abandoned him.

They wrote poems to ridicule the Prophet (P.b.u.h) and called him a magician, madman.

They also offered him bribes through Utba bin Rabia like making him king or marrying him to the prettiest girl so that he would stop preaching Islam.

When both of the prophet’s son passed away in infancy, they called him “Abtar”- he who has no male descendants.

The quairsh approached Abu Talib (prophets’ uncle) and asked him to restrain his nephew from preaching otherwise they will resort to violence. Abu Talib asked Prophet Muhammad (P.b.u.h) not to bring disaster on his family and his clan (Banu Hashim) He replied:

“Oh uncle even if they place the sun on my right hand and the moon on my left to force me to renounce my mission, I would not until God fulfills my mission or destroys me in the process”

Quraish sent another proposal that He should worship their gods and they would worship His God. He replied by saying:

“You have your religion and I have my religion”