Persecution of Muslims by the Meccans

:"This is a sub-article to Muhammad before Medina and Persecution of Muslims

In the early days of Islam at Mecca, the new Muslims were often subjected to abuse and persecution.

Overview

Some were killed, such as Sumayyah bint Khabbab, the seventh convert to Islam, who was tortured first by Abu Jahl [http://www.themuslimweekly.com/fullstoryview.aspx?NewsID=40336F9421B392F034112220&MENUID=KID&DESCRIPTION=Kids themuslimweekly.com] ] . Muhammad was protected somewhat by the influence of his family, but even he was subjected to such abuse; while he was praying near the Kaaba, Abu Lahab threw the entrails of a sacrificed camel over him, and Abu Lahab's wife Umm Jamil would regularly dump filth outside his door [ [http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/MH_LM/from_the_beginning_of_revelation.htm witness-pioneer.org] ] . And if free Muslims were attacked, slaves who converted were subject to far worse. The master of the Ethiopian Bilal ibn Rabah (who would become the first muezzin) would take him out into the desert in the boiling heat of midday and place a heavy rock on his chest, demanding that he forswear his religion and pray to the polytheists' gods and goddesses, until Abu Bakr bought him and freed him. [ [http://www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/news_service/profile_story.asp?service_id=756 islamonline.com] ]

It was due to this that Abu Bakr bought the freedom of the following persons:

* Bilal
* Abu Fakih
* Ammar ibn Yasir
* Abu Fuhayra
* Lubaynah
* Al-Nahdiah
* Umm Ubays
* Zinnira.

History

BH|8|613|+

The physical assaults started in BH|8|613|+ The Sealed Nectar [http://www.sunnipath.com/Resources/PrintMedia/Books/B0033P0017.aspx The Second ‘Aqabah Pledge] on sunnipath.com] .

In BH|8|614, the early Muslims were on their way to the hills of Mecca to hold a meeting with Muhammad, when a group of polytheists observed their gathering and began to abuse and fight them. Sad'a beat a polytheist and shed his blood, reportedly the first instance of bloodshed in the history of Islam.

BH|7|614|+

In AHM|7 of BH|7|614|+ [http://www.anwary-islam.com/prophet-life/holly-p-7.htm Sahabah Migation to Abyssina ] ] twelve male and twelve female Sahaba, the Muslims who originally converted in Mecca, migrated to Aksumite Ethiopia (in Arabic, al-Habash, or "Abyssinia"), seeking refuge from persecution .

BH|6|615|+

Following the return from the First migration to Abyssinia, the Muslims continued to suffer Persecution by the Meccans The Sealed Nectar [http://www.sunnipath.com/Resources/PrintMedia/Books/B0033P0017.aspx] on sunnipath.com] . This time, in BH|6|616 almost one hundred Muslims made a second migration back to Ethiopia were they stayed protected [http://christdot.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5095&hl Christdot :: Christ. Period. :: The "Satanic Verses": Did Muhammad (PBUH) Compromise Islam? ] ] .

After the Muslims in Arabia had migrated to Medina in AH|7|628 and attained security, the Muslims in Ethiopia migrated back to Arabia and reunited with them in Medina after six years absence .

BH|5|616|+

The Meccan boycott of the Hashemites by the Quraish was proclaimed in 617.

BH|3|618|+

BH|2|619|+

In 620, after the Year of Sorrow when his main source of support, Abu Talib had died did the persecution increased exponentially, so he tried to seek support from the neighboring city of Tai'f [http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/does_islam_call_for_the_murder_of_infidels_part_i_ii/ The American Muslim (TAM) ] ] .

AH|1|621|+

This persecution ultimately provoked the Migration to Medina.

List of Specific Recorded Instances

laves who were Muslims

Male

*Yasir ibn Amir – tortured and killed [http://web.archive.org/web/20050421200507/http://www.islamic-paths.org/Home/English/Muhammad/Book/Millennium_Biography/Chapter_030.htm Millennium_Biography] ] .
*Bilal ibn Ribah – lied on burning sand, had a very heavy stone put on his chest with somebody jumping on it.
*Khabbab ibn al-Aratt – lied on burning sand, had hot metal put on his head,
* Abu Fakih – tied and dragged on burning sand, had a very heavy stone put on his chest [http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/companion/02_abu_bakr.htm witness-pioneer.org] ]
* Abu Fuhayra
*Ammar ibn Yasir – tortured .

Female

*Sumayyah bint Khabbab – killed by spear .
*Al-Nahdiah – tortured
*Umm Ubays – tortured
*Lubaynah– extensively beaten
*Zinnira – beaten until she lost her eyesight temporarily .

Free Muslims

*Muhammad – entrails of animals thrown at him while praying, people trying to strangle him, subjected to boycott, assassination attempt.
*Umm Kulthum bint Muhammad – was divorced on orders of Abu Lahab The Sealed Nectar [http://www.sunnipath.com/Resources/PrintMedia/Books/B0033P0017.aspx The Second ‘Aqabah Pledge] on sunnipath.com]
*Ruqayyah bint Muhammad – was divorced on orders of Abu Lahab
*Sa'd ibn Ubadah – tortured

References