Page 21 - World Religions I - Islam

Opposition to Muhammad's Message
• During the first ten years, Muhammad's message met much resistance.
o Mecca was a center for idol worship. Bashing polytheism had grave economic and religious
consequences.
 The Quraish tribe were willing to concede that Allah was the supreme deity, as long as the worship
of other lesser deities was allowed. The earliest parts of the Qur'an did not contain any attack on
paganism, but rather assumed in the audience a "vague monotheism". Later, however, the unity of
God was strictly insisted on, and a critique of increasing severity was directed towards idolatry.139
o While the Arabian tribes worshiped hundreds of gods, three are specifically mentioned in the Qur'an: Al-
Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat.
 These were known popularly as the daughters of Allah and thought to serve as intercessors of
Allah.37
• Muhammad attacked this belief by utilizing the cultural chauvinism of the day to say
that if Allah were to have any offspring at all, he certainly would choose sons over
daughters.38 For more on this encounter, see Appendix E: The Satanic Verses.
o The Quraish initially ignored Muhammad's message until he spoke disparagingly of their gods.
 Though a few of Muhammad's family and friends rallied around him, the majority of the Quraish
denounced him and begun persecuting his movement.
 The protection of Muhammad's uncle, Abu Talib, was critical as enmity between him and the
Quraish mounted.
• Most Muhammad's revelations in the early Meccan period were relatively short, poetic, and focused on the
message of strict monotheism.
• During his early proselytizing in Mecca, Muhammad viewed Jews and Christians—otherwise known as "People
of the Book"—as natural allies.
o Both were Abrahamic religions, to which he considered Islam to be related.
o He believed they shared the core principles of his teaching and anticipated their acceptance and
support.
o During this time, Muslims, like Jews, were praying towards Jerusalem.
• In AD 619, Muhammad suffered a great loss in the death of both his wife, Khadijah, and uncle and protector, Abu
Talib.
• Muhammad fled Mecca in AD 620 and traveled to the nearby city of Ta'if to seek haven and converts.
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