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Difficulties faced by Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H)

There are many difficulties which are faced by the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) between receiving his first revelation and the boycott of Banu Hashim

The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) began to preach openly after receiving the divine command:

“O you wrapped in cloak! Rise and warn” [74:2, al-Muddaththir]

How the Quraysh opposed the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H)?

He was out-rightly rejected by the Quraysh when he addressed from the Safa hill in Makkah. His uncle Abu Lahab cursed him (later the Quran cursed him in Surah 111, al-Lahab).

How the Prophet was subjected to humiliation?

There were many brutal acts by the kuffars which were intended to humiliate the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H). For example, thorny bushes were spread in his way, insulting titles were hurled against him and he was physically attacked even when he was busy in prayer.

The Makkans approached his uncle Abu Talib and asked him to keep his nephew from preaching the new faith. Abu Talib was the source of tribal protection for the Prophet (P.B.U.H) but he was strongly impressed by the firm stance taken by the Prophet (P.B.U.H) about his divinely ordained mission.

Stories that are quoted to show the Ways of Torture

There are several stories about the ways the Prophet (P.B.U.H) was tortured in Makkah. Once, Abu Jahl placed muck on his back while he was offering prayers. Hazrat Fatimah (R.A) removed the muck from her father’s back.

Another Makkan chief, Uqba bin Abu Mu’ait also placed entrails of the camel on his back when he was busy in prayer.

He was given various insulting titles such as a magician, poet as well as a man possessed by spirits. He was called al-Abtar (man without progeny) on the death of his sons.

He was also mocked when there was an unusual delay in receiving revelation. It was before the revolution of Surah 93 (ad-Duha). However, Allah has then showed the Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H) that how those people are wrong who were mocking the Prophet. Allah has beautifully explained in Surah ad-Duha that how much Allah loves His Prophet (P.B.U.H).

“By the morning brightness (1) And [by] the night when it covers with darkness (2) Your Lord has not taken leave of you, [O Muḥammad], nor has He detested [you] (3) And the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life] (4) And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied (5) Did He not find you an orphan and give [you] refuge? (6) And He found you lost and guided [you] (7) And He found you poor and made [you] self-sufficient (8) So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him] (9) And as for the petitioner, do not repel [him] (10) But as for the favor of your Lord, report [it] (11) [Surah Ad-Duha]

The above chapter of Quran is the most beautiful chapter which shows that how Allah is with the right person. Thus, a person should not worry about the world insulting or humiliating him if that person is on the right path (a path of Allah).

Boycott of Hashimites by Quraysh

In the seventh year of the Holy Prophet’s mission, all the chief of Makkan drafted an agreement against Banu Hashim. Under the agreement, total boycott of Banu Hashim was proclaimed; nobody was entitled to have any relation with them including the sale of foodstuff until the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) was executed or handed over to Quraysh.

The agreement was signed by all the leaders of Makkah. It was hung on the Kaaba, so that no one could dare to violate it.

Main difficulties faced by the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and his tribe

The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) along with Abu Talib and his family was compelled to retire into a secluded valley of Makkah known as Sha’ab of Abu Talib. It followed a period of great hardships for Ben Hashim and the Muslims.

Sometimes they ate leaves of wild plants. This state of affairs continued for three years. At last, some of the kind Quraysh leaders were deeply moved by the suffering and the hardships of Banu Hashim and took the initiative to end the social boycott.

In addition, Allah revealed to the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) that the earthworms had eaten everything that had been written in the past with the exception of the name of Allah.

The Quraysh did not achieve their goal. They were unable to stop the spread of Islam, rather the boycott publicized the whole affair and more people began to wonder about the brutality an injustice of the crash