The Split Reaction to Islam
- The rich, proud, and powerful Quraish were annoyed and did not like that he continued preaching the new faith.
- They looked upon it as an insult to their gods and religion, and opposed it with all their might.
- But the poor, the weak, and the slaves welcomed the message of Allah.
- They welcomed it because it promised them a better and just life and a reward after death.
Direct Harassment and Insults
- The Quraish tried their best to stop him by hurting and insulting him.
- Kafir women threw garbage at him and spread thorns in his way.
- One kafir tried to strangle him with a sheet of cloth.
- Another one threw the intestines of a camel on his back while he was praying.
The Offer Through Abu Talib
- When direct harassment did not work, the Quraish went as a group to his uncle, Abu Talib.
- They asked him to stop his nephew from spreading his new religion and turning young men against their own gods.
- They were ready to offer Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabijeen gold, silver, and power in return.
- Abu Talib spoke to him about this.
- He answered, ‘Dear uncle, even if I place the Sun in my right hand, and the Moon in my left, I will not give up preaching Islam until Allah gives me victory or I die trying to get it.’
- Abu Talib loved his nephew dearly and, seeing his determination, said, ‘Go and do as you please. I will not stop you.’
Preaching to Visitors and the Quraish’s Response
- Since many traders, caravans, and pilgrims came to Makkah, he preached the message of Islam to them in the streets and market places.
- The Quraish were very annoyed at this and tried to stop the strangers from listening to him.
- They called him a madman and a magician who had turned away from his religion.
- They insulted him and tried to harm him and his companions in every possible way.
Steadfastness and the Spread of Islam
- Despite the opposition, Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabijeen stood firm.
- He continued his work, and soon the message of the arrival of a rasool spread far and wide through people who travelled to and from Makkah.
The Attack at the Ka’aba
- One day, he stood right in front of the Ka’aba and preached openly.
- He asked the people to worship only one Allah and to leave their idols.
- The kuffar of Makkah took this as a direct insult to their gods.
- They attacked him from all sides.
- One of his companions, Hazrat Haris-Abi Hala, rushed to protect him and was martyred.
Conclusion of Perseverance
- Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabijeen and his companions faced great hardships in spreading the message of Islam.
- But they were patient and firm.
- He continued inviting people to the true faith of Allah without fear.
Questions & Answers
a. How did the Quraish stop our Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabigeen ﷺ from preaching Islam?
They tried to stop him by hurting and insulting him. They threw garbage at him, spread thorns in his path, tried to strangle him, and threw camel intestines on him while he prayed.
b. What did the Quraish say to Abu Talib when Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabigeen ﷺ continued preaching?
They went to his uncle Abu Talib and asked him to stop his nephew from preaching. They offered to give Hazrat Muhammad gold, silver, and power in return for stopping.
c. What answer did Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabigeen ﷺ give his uncle?
He told his uncle: “Even if I place the Sun in my right hand, and the Moon in my left, I will not give up preaching Islam until Allah gives me victory or I die trying to get it.”
d. How did they try to stop him from talking to the pilgrims and traders who came to Makkah?
They tried to stop the strangers from listening to him. They called him a madman and a magician and insulted him to scare people away.
e. Relate what happened at the Ka’aba when Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabigeen ﷺ was preaching there.
He stood in front of the Ka’aba and told people to worship only One Allah. The kuffar took this as an insult and attacked him from all sides. His companion, Hazrat Haris-Abi Hala, rushed to protect him and was martyred.
Fill in the Blanks
a. The Quraish looked upon Islam as an insult to their gods.
b. Kafir women threw garbage on Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabigeen and spread thorns in his way.
c. The message of Islam spread through the people who travelled to and from Makkah.
d. Hazrat Haris was martyred protecting Hazrat Muhammad Rasool-Allah Khatam-an-Nabigeen.