Attack on the Prophet Muhammad in Makkah
CHAPTER 5
What should you do as a new revert to Islam if you find yourself in a hostile environment where you are targeted and abused for being visibly Muslim (such as wearing a hijab or having a beard)?
In this circumstance, your sense of injustice is likely to be intense. This emotion is perfectly normal.
But patience is essential for coping with abuse and injustice.
Reverts’ Priorities
Priority number one for new believers is to take all precautions necessary to safeguard themselves. The primary higher goals of Islamic law are the protection of religion, life, intellect, progeny, dignity, and property (wealth), and Muslims should not take unnecessary risks that could endanger any of these pillars.
In today's world, especially if we reside in the West or other non-Muslim countries, we must be prudent and vigilant. As citizens, we are protected by the law of the country in which we reside, as are our fellow citizens of different faiths and ethnicities. However, we must ensure that we are active members of our larger communities and never allow ourselves to become isolated.
In Islam, neighbourliness is an additional top priority. Our non-Muslim neighbours are equally as vital as our Muslim neighbours, so let's not isolate ourselves from them. Don't separate yourself from your non-Muslim friends, family, neighbours, and coworkers; Islam is all about openness, dialogue, and good relations with people of other religions.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Archangel Gabriel continued to urge me to be kind to neighbors until I started to think that he would tell me that they have a share of my inheritance. (Al-Bukhari)
So take good care of your neighbors and make sure never to offend them, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Whoever believes in God and in the Day of Judgment must not offend his neighbor. (Al-Bukhari)
With this approach, we ensure that we live among our Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors in peace and harmony. This positive environment is the basic foundation for us to be secure in our homes, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
Whoever among you wakes up secure in his property, healthy in his body, and he has his food for the day, it is as if he were given the entire world. (Hadith in At-Tirmidhi)
The Schemes of Abu Jahl
The early converts faced adversity with remarkable fortitude and valour. Their strong faith and belief in the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) enabled them to withstand the intimidation, abuse, and sometimes torture they encountered.
The weakest among them were affected the most, but even those of noble descent were targeted because they were Muslims. At this point in the beginning of the public invitation to Islam, not even the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was safe from the Quraish.
Abu Jahl, one of the greatest enemies of the Prophet Muhammad, swore that he would step on Muhammad's (peace be upon him) head if he saw him praying. During this time, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray publicly in front of the Ka'bah; one day, when Abu Jahl saw him in prostration, he approached him to fulfil his promise.
Suddenly, he began to retreat from the area where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was praying and appeared to push something away with his hands.
When he returned to his classmates, they inquired as to what had transpired. He told them he saw a fire between himself and Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Allah (SWT) had sent angels to protect His prophet from this attack, and revealed verses in the Quran in the second half of Chapter 96 that describe this event:
Have you seen the one who forbids; a servant when he prays? Have you seen if he is upon guidance; or enjoins righteousness? Have you seen if he denies and turns away – Does he not know that Allah sees? No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock – A lying, sinning forelock. Then let him call his associates; We will call the angels of Hell. No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allah]. (96:9-19)
Abu Bakr and Fatimah to the Rescue of the Prophet
Another incident occurred while the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was praying near the Ka'bah. This time, another ferocious foe, Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'eet, approached the Prophet (peace be upon him) from behind and began to choke him with his garment. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was unable to move due to suffocation, but Abu Bakr was informed of the attack and rushed to his aid.
On other occasions, the Prophet (peace be upon him) suffered not only physical but also emotional harm. When Muhammad (peace be upon him) was praying one day, Abu Jahl instructed Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'eet to throw the carcass of a dead camel on his head.
Uqbah agreed. He obtained a camel carcass that had been slaughtered in Makkah the day before, went to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), waited until he was in prostration, and then threw the carcass on his head and back.
The onlookers began to laugh and make fun of the Prophet (peace be upon him), who remained prostrate for some time. Shortly thereafter, Fatimah, the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) daughter, who was only 8 or 9 years old at the time, heard what had occurred and dashed to her father's aid in tears.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) returned to his home with his daughter after she brushed off all the dirt and cleaned his back. One can only imagine the suffering they both endured during such a terrible ordeal.
As time passed, the situation deteriorated, and a number of years later, the Quraish began plotting to kill the Prophet (peace be upon him) to get rid of him permanently.
