Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
2. The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
~ 33 ~
Even the wealthy Muslims were not spared. They were also
persecuted. Their own relatives turned against them. After the
death of Abu Talib and Khadijah, people were emboldened to
persecute the Prophet. They threw rubbish on him as he passed
through the streets. They spread thorns in his path. They made
noises when the Prophet stood up in the Kabah to pray.
The Makkans did all that they could to turn people away from
the Prophet. But in spite of all their efforts Islam continued to
spread. Some of the powerful men of Makkah accepted Islam.
Hamzah, the Prophet’s uncle, Umar ibn Al-Khattab, who was
famous for his bravery, and Abu Dharr Ghifari were among them.
The Makkan chiefs were more enraged than before. They made
life so difficult for the Muslims that a number of them migrated to
Abyssinia, an area nearby, with the Prophet’s permission. At first
fifteen men and women migrated to Abyssinia. Slowly, the number
reached 83.
This safe haven of the Muslims made the Makkans all the more
angry. They sent two of their men to Negus, the king of Abyssinia.
These men brought him precious gifts and requested him to turn
these ‘ignoble’ people out of his land as they had forsaken their
forefather’s religion to follow a new religion. Negus sent for the
Muslims and asked them to explain their case. Thereupon Jafar,
son of Abu Talib, briefly explained to him the teachings of Islam
and recited some portions from the Quran from the chapter called
‘Mary’. Negus was very impressed and he said:
