Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
2. The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
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the Makkans were not hostile. There were people who gave serious
thought to the message of the Quran and gradually began to
accept Islam. About 200 people from Makkah as well as the
neighbouring settlements entered the fold of Islam.
The Quraysh who enjoyed the Makkan leadership considered
the teachings of the new religion an insult to the religion of their
forefathers. In Islam they saw a danger to their own leadership.
Such leaders as Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab were the most hostile to the
Prophet. They began to give serious thought to the matter. Islam
was fast gaining ground, so they thought that they could not afford
to postpone taking action. This menace, they had to nip in the
bud.
The chiefs of different clans gathered to discuss this matter.
They all felt that if Abu Talib did not come in their way, they would
have no difficulty in finding a solution to this problem. So they all
came to Abu Talib to tell him to stop Muhammad from spreading
his message.
They warned him, “Tell Muhammad to stop spreading his
message, or you will abandon him. If you fail to do so, you should
be ready to suffer for the deeds of your nephew.”
Abu Talib, an old man, felt that he would not be able to resist
their wrath. So he told Muhammad what the Quraysh chiefs had
said to him and then added, “My dearest nephew, look to your
own safety, and to the safety of your uncle, and do not cause me to
carry a burden I cannot bear.”
