The Life of the Prophet (saws)

8. Objective Containment

The Prophet’s public declaration of his

message called on a total change of Makkan society

The response of those who wielded power was, naturally, one of hostility

They realised that unless they met the new call with stiff and determined opposition, it would win acceptance with a large section of the population – the poor, the slaves and the deprived, as well as the open-minded individuals from the powerful classes

A Campaign of Terror (1)

A campaign of persecution was launched against

the followers of the new calling Those who were protected by their tribes were

subjected to taunts and ridicule only Those who belonged to the lower classes, however,

were less fortunate and subjected to physical abuse The physical abuse included being beaten in plain

sight, being made to lie at midday on the open sand and having large stones placed on their chests

A Campaign of Terror (2)

During this time, Abu Bakr did what he could

to free some of those under physical persecution by purchasing them from their masters

He chose the most helpless and those who showed a great determination to defy their prosecutors

His actions were an example of how closely knit the new Muslim community was

It emphasised that the followers of the new religion were all equal, slaves and masters alike

Abu Bakr’s Noble Heart

When the pressure increased so much and the

torture became unbearable, some of the victims asked the Prophet to pray to God for help

The Prophet advised the believers to have patience and to trust in God

It is worth noting that the Prophet himself was subject to ridicule and physical abuse from the unbelievers

Pressure too strong to bear (1)

The Prophet made it clear to his companions

that they were not seeking any immediate gain

All that he promised them was a hard struggle for which God would reward them with heaven

It was enough for them that he had shown them the way and given them Divine guidance

Pressure too strong to bear (2)

The Prophet continued to make a determined

stand, despite the Quraysh’s campaign of terror

He called on people to renounce the worship of idols and to turn back to God, the Creator

Realising that the persecution was not deterring anyone from accepting the new faith, the Quraysh chiefs thought to negotiate a settlement…

Offer Too Absurd (1)

A delegation of the Quraysh went to Abu Talib,

the Prophet’s uncle and protector, and made a proposal to him

They offered him one of their smartest and most vigorous young men – ‘Imarah ibn al-Walid – to take as a son in exchange for his nephew

Abu Talib of course refused the offer and the Quraysh felt it had no option but to widen its campaign of persecution to all Muslims…

Offer Too Absurd (2)

Each clan took vengeance against any of its

sons who adopted Islam Now even free and young noble men were at

the receiving end of the Quraysh’s campaign This maltreatment included imprisonment and

being bound up and beaten

Maltreatment of the Honourable

Abu Talib was increasingly worried about his

nephew He called upon his clan to give him their

pledges of support in protecting Muhammad They responded favourably to his call, with

only one exception – Abu Lahab Abu Talib was extremely pleased by this

support and thus the Prophet was able to preach his message enjoying full protection

Maltreatment of the Honourable

(Source: ‘Muhammad – Man and Prophet’ by Adil

Salahi)

End