Quraysh’s Prosecution

The Quraysh made several efforts to prevent the public recitation of the Quran. Whenever the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recited near the Kaaba, they would shout, curse, and create noise to drown out his voice. In response, Allah revealed that the Quran should be recited in a moderate tone—neither too loudly nor too quietly—countering the Quraysh’s disruptive tactics.

Despite not belonging to a powerful tribe, Abdullah ibn Masood رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ bravely volunteered to publicly recite the Quran. He chose to recite Surah Ar-Rahman in front of the Kaaba, captivating some listeners while enraging others. His courageous act led to a severe beating, yet his dedication was so strong that he was willing to do it again.

Prominent Quraysh leaders like Abu Sufyan, Abu Jahil, and Al-Akhnas would secretly listen to the Prophet’s ﷺ recitation of the Quran at night, even though they outwardly rejected his message. This demonstrated the undeniable beauty and impact of the Quran, even on the Prophet’s fiercest opponents. Despite being moved, they feared losing respect among their people and refused to publicly acknowledge the truth.

The Quraysh resorted to mocking and slandering the Prophet ﷺ and his followers, labeling him a madman, poet, and fortune-teller, despite knowing his upright character. Abu Jahil was particularly aggressive in leading this ridicule. When the Quraysh could not deny the Prophet’s sincerity, they resorted to insults and accusations of sorcery. Yet, the Prophet ﷺ responded with patience and composure, relying on divine guidance for support.

The Quraysh demanded miracles from the Prophet ﷺ, such as splitting the moon or turning mountains into gold, though they remained in disbelief. While the Prophet ﷺ performed some miracles, the Quran remained the central and ultimate miracle. Allah did not grant all their demands, knowing their persistent arrogance and refusal to believe.

Desperate to stop the spread of Islam, the Quraysh offered the Prophet ﷺ wealth, power, and women if he would abandon his message. The Prophet ﷺ firmly rejected these offers. In response to their attempts at compromise, where they suggested alternating between Islam and idol worship, Surah Al-Kafirun was revealed, emphasizing the unwavering nature of monotheism and the rejection of idolatry.

Utbah ibn Rabi’ah, a respected elder, approached the Prophet ﷺ with offers to negotiate, hoping to persuade him to stop preaching. In response, the Prophet ﷺ recited Surah Fussilat, which deeply moved Utbah. He returned to the Quraysh advising them to leave the Prophet alone, recognizing the power of his message. However, his advice was dismissed, as others claimed he had fallen under the spell of the Prophet’s words.

Quraysh’s Challenge

Unlike the Jews and Christians, the Arabs did not have a tradition of prophets, so the concept of prophethood was unfamiliar to them. Seeking to challenge Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ authenticity, the Quraysh consulted the Jews, who were well-versed in prophetic traditions. The Jews suggested that the Quraysh ask specific questions to test the Prophet’s knowledge.

One delegation was advised to ask the Prophet ﷺ about Yusuf عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and his family. This led to the revelation of Surah Yusuf, containing details unknown to the Arabs, affirming the Prophet’s authenticity. Another set of questions focused on the People of the Cave, a man who traveled from East to West, and the nature of the Ruh (spirit). Initially, the Prophet ﷺ asked them to return the next day for the answers but forgot to say "Insha'Allah". As a result, the revelation was delayed for two weeks, during which the Quraysh mocked him. Eventually, Surah Al-Kahf was revealed, addressing these questions and further proving the Prophet’s ﷺ authenticity.

Torture of Muslims

As the Quraysh's opposition escalated, they began targeting the weaker members of the Muslim community with severe torture. Bilal ibn Rabah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, a slave, was subjected to brutal treatment by his owner, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, but he remained steadfast, proclaiming the oneness of Allah even under extreme suffering. His resilience eventually led to his honored status as Islam’s first muezzin (caller to prayer).

The Story of Khabbab and Sumayyah

Khabbab ibn al-Aratt رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, a slave and blacksmith, faced horrific torture from his owner, Umayma bint Abil-Muayt, who burned his back with heated iron. Despite the pain, Khabbab's unwavering faith became a testament to the sacrifices made by the early Muslims. Similarly, Sumayyah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, the mother of Ammar ibn Yasir رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, became Islam’s first martyr after being brutally killed by Abu Jahl for her steadfast belief. The Prophet ﷺ praised the Yasir family and promised them paradise for their perseverance.

Sohaib’s Sacrifice

Sohaib رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, originally from Iraq, was enslaved in Rome and later sold to Makkah. After embracing Islam, he faced persecution but remained firm in his faith. When he decided to migrate to Madinah, the Quraysh intercepted him, but Sohaib secured his freedom by giving up his wealth. The Prophet ﷺ praised Sohaib’s sacrifice, and Allah revealed a verse recognizing his selflessness.

Public Attacks on the Prophet ﷺ

Even Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself faced physical and emotional challenges, though his noble lineage provided some protection. One notable incident involved Abu Jahl, who swore to harm the Prophet while he prayed. However, when he attempted to do so, he saw a vision of a pit of fire and angels, stopping him in his tracks. This event led to the revelation of verses in Surah Al-Alaq. The Prophet ﷺ also faced physical assaults. Uqbah ibn Abi Mu’ait once choked him with his garment during prayer, but Abu Bakr intervened. 

On another occasion, Uqbah threw camel entrails on the Prophet’s back while he prayed. His young daughter, Fatima, helped clean him up. The Prophet ﷺ prayed against the perpetrators, and they later died in the Battle of Badr. According to Ibn Mas’ud, those involved were Abu Jahl, Utbah and Shaybah ibn Rabi'ah, Walid ibn Uqba, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ait.