Preaching in Makka, persecution and the boycott

Last time

Before we start: last time, in The Prophet’s character, his wives and his descendants, you learned these points. Here they are again on one card. Keep them in mind, because today builds on them.

Preaching under pressure

For years the Prophet, peace be upon him, worshipped in secret. Then he spoke openly, and the Quraysh pushed back: first with mockery, then with torture, then with a boycott. Examiners ask for the facts in order, with names, and then ask what Muslims today can learn. Both halves need preparing.

Going public

After years of secret worship, the Prophet began to preach openly. He invited his kinsmen to Islam but got a cold reply from them. He announced his faith to the Quraysh on Mount Safa. They rejected his call, and Abu Lahab in particular spoke harshly and went on to mock and torture the Prophet. He was called a madman or possessed by jinn, in verses such as 15.6 and 68.51. Poets were hired to write abusive poems.

Abu Lahab and Abu Jahl

Abu Lahab forced his two sons to divorce the Prophet's daughters Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum. When the Prophet's son died, they laughed and mocked him, calling him abtar. Abu Jahl was the most prominent Makkan who committed atrocities against the Prophet. He had the foetus of a she camel placed on the Prophet's back while he prayed at the Ka'ba. Fatima removed it. He had rubbish thrown on him in the street. There was pressure on Abu Talib to withdraw his support, and a bribery offer from the Quraysh.