Explain how and why Muhammad was opposed in Makkah?
Explain how and why Muhammad was opposed in Makkah (30 marks)
The prophet Muhammad preached in Makkah to bring people in the right path and to believe in one god. However, he was opposed in many ways possible by many people mainly the Quraish. There were many reasons why people opposed the prophet Muhammad in Makkah and many were due to selfish needs such as wealth and power. The prophet Muhammad was opposed in many ways such as verbal and physical abuse. The Quraish were the main people to oppose Muhammad in Makkah. The opposition of the Quraish to the message of Islam greatly influenced the rest of the Arabs to reject Islam as well. In fact the influence of the Quraish was so great that even if they had not exerted themselves in their resistance they still could have swayed the people. That was because all of the Arabs looked to the Quraish and waited for their approval for many reasons such as the high status of the Quraish in the hearts of the Arabs. They revered the Quraish because they were the people who lived close to the Kabah. For this reason the other Arabs honored and respected the Quraish and took pride in rushing to fulfill any need that they might have for food, drink or other things as well.
Although Muhammad's preaching was basically religious, there was implicit in it a critique of the conduct and attitudes of the rich merchants of Mecca. Attempts were made to get him to soften his criticism by offering him a fuller share in trade and a marriage alliance with one of the wealthiest families, but he decisively rejected such offers. Points in the message of the Qur'an were questioned, such as the assertion that men would be resurrected before the Judgment. Commercial pressure was brought to bear on Muhammad's supporters, and in some families there was mild persecution of junior members who followed him. In about 616 Abu Jahl organized a boycott of the clan of Hashim by the chief clans of Mecca, allegedly because the clan continued to
The prophet Muhammad preached in Makkah to bring people in the right path and to believe in one god. However, he was opposed in many ways possible by many people mainly the Quraish. There were many reasons why people opposed the prophet Muhammad in Makkah and many were due to selfish needs such as wealth and power. The prophet Muhammad was opposed in many ways such as verbal and physical abuse. The Quraish were the main people to oppose Muhammad in Makkah. The opposition of the Quraish to the message of Islam greatly influenced the rest of the Arabs to reject Islam as well. In fact the influence of the Quraish was so great that even if they had not exerted themselves in their resistance they still could have swayed the people. That was because all of the Arabs looked to the Quraish and waited for their approval for many reasons such as the high status of the Quraish in the hearts of the Arabs. They revered the Quraish because they were the people who lived close to the Kabah. For this reason the other Arabs honored and respected the Quraish and took pride in rushing to fulfill any need that they might have for food, drink or other things as well.
Although Muhammad's preaching was basically religious, there was implicit in it a critique of the conduct and attitudes of the rich merchants of Mecca. Attempts were made to get him to soften his criticism by offering him a fuller share in trade and a marriage alliance with one of the wealthiest families, but he decisively rejected such offers. Points in the message of the Qur'an were questioned, such as the assertion that men would be resurrected before the Judgment. Commercial pressure was brought to bear on Muhammad's supporters, and in some families there was mild persecution of junior members who followed him. In about 616 Abu Jahl organized a boycott of the clan of Hashim by the chief clans of Mecca, allegedly because the clan continued to