Muhammad in Mecca

• Pre-Islamic Arabian context


  Idol worshipping, pagan Arabs who practised social ills
• This context influenced the life and teaching of Muhammad
• The possibility of the failure of Islam under Makkan persecution


  Countered by the life and teachings of Muhammad, and his teachings following the Night of Power that challenged the practices of the time
• Jahiliyya


  A period of barbarity in pre-Islamic Arabia
• Social ills in pre-Islamic Arabia

  • Arabs burying their daughters alive if they feared poverty
  • People coming to the Ka'aba to worship idols and donate gifts to them
  • Corruption
  • Slavery
• Muhammad acted according to tribal rules
• Muhammad was a peacemaker between tribes when they argued at the Ka'aba
• Muhammad benefitted from his uncle Abu Talib's protection when he preached, because of tribal honour
• Key doctrines Muhammad preached

  • Tawhid (oneness of God)
  • Risalah (prophethood)
  • Akhirah (the Day of Final Judgement)
• The simple message of the revelations he received was regarded as the same as that revealed to earlier prophets, and relevant for all time
• The message was applied in terms which pre-Islamic Arabia would understand
• Setbacks Muhammad faced in his mission


  • Some of his followers were whipped
  • Hot stones were laid on the backs of his supporters, such as Bilal
  • The insides of a camel were thrown on Muhammad whilst praying
  • His community were exiled to a barren valley
• Muhammad doubted what he had received after the Night of Power, and at times was confused and upset, but always looked to Allah for guidance
• Leaving Makkah may have seemed like the mission had failed
• At the time, Muslims could not worship openly, despite all the years of preaching which Muhammad had put in
• Muslims see Muhammad's leadership as a model to follow when facing difficulties and persecution
• Allah would have never allowed Islam to fail