What awakened conscience would not be stirred by such a rare and unique scene? It was the sight of a man known to his people for complete soundness of mind and flawless behavior, standing alone before his nation with a call that could shake mountains. His words flowed from his heart and tongue—confident and noble—as if carrying within them all the power, will, and design of the future, as if destiny itself was speaking through them. Perhaps some thought that this was just a passing impulse of goodness after which Muhammad (PBUH) would return to worship his Lord in his own way, leaving his people’s gods and religion as they were.
If such thoughts entered some minds, Muhammad (PBUH) quickly dispelled them. He made it very clear that he was a Messenger charged with conveying a message; he could not remain silent or withdraw into himself after Allah had guided him to truth and light. No power in this world could have silenced him or stopped him, for it was Allah Who made him speak and move and Who guided his steps.
The reaction of Quraysh came swiftly, like flames fanned by a violent wind. Trials began to pour down upon a soul that had known only grace and honor. Then the Messenger (PBUH) began teaching his first lessons with incomparable mastery and astonishing loyalty. The image of this scene stands supreme in every age and place. Those of awakened conscience in Makkah were moved, filled with admiration, and drew closer. They saw before them a majestic, noble man. They could not tell whether his neck had stretched to the sky or the sky had bent down to crown his head. They saw loyalty, steadfastness, and greatness.
One of the most powerful scenes they witnessed was the day when the nobles of Quraysh went to Abu Talib and said, “We cannot tolerate someone who insults our forefathers, mocks our beliefs, and finds fault with our gods. Either stop him, or we will fight both of you until one of the two sides is destroyed.” Abu Talib sent word to his nephew, saying, “My nephew, your people have come to me and spoken about what you are doing. Consider me and yourself and do not burden me with what I cannot bear.”
What was the response of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)?
The only man who had stood firmly beside him now seemed to be withdrawing, or at least unable to stand against Quraysh, who had sharpened all their teeth. The Messenger (PBUH) did not hesitate, and his resolve did not waver. He did not even have to search for words to express his determination; it was already there, ready to proclaim one of the greatest lessons in human history and to lay down its highest principle.
He said, “O uncle, by Allah, if they were to place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left on condition that I abandon this matter, I would not abandon it until Allah makes it prevail or I die for it.” Peace be upon you, O Prophet of Islam—you were immense among men, and your words were immense.
Abu Talib then recovered his courage and the courage of his forefathers. He clasped his nephew’s right hand in both of his and said, “Say what you wish, for by Allah, I will never hand you over to them.”
Even then, Muhammad (PBUH) did not rely on his uncle for safety and protection, though Abu Talib was able to offer it. Rather, he was the one giving strength, safety, and steadfastness to those around him.
Any honest person who witnesses such a scene cannot help but hasten to love, be loyal to, and believe in that Messenger (PBUH).
His perseverance in the path of truth, his patience with the burden of the message, and his endurance of great trials were all purely for Allah’s sake, not for any personal gain. These qualities had to captivate noble minds and awaken sincere souls to follow the light calling out to them and to hasten toward the truthful, trustworthy Messenger (PBUH) who came to purify souls and guide humanity. People saw him while harm reached him from every side. The comfort he had once found in his uncle Abu Talib and his wife Khadijah was taken from him when they both died within a short time of each other. Whoever wants to imagine the intensity of the persecution and war launched by Quraysh against the unarmed Messenger need only know that even Abu Lahab, his fiercest enemy, was once so shaken by what he saw that he briefly declared he would protect the Messenger, help him, and defend him. Yet even then, the Messenger (PBUH) refused such protection that would compromise his mission and remained lofty, holding fast to his message. No one could shield him from harm, because no one dared; even the noble Abu Bakr could do nothing but weep.
One day, the Messenger (PBUH) went to the Ka‘bah and, while he was circumambulating it, the nobles of Quraysh—lying in wait—ran to surround him, saying, “Are you the one who says such-and-such about our gods?” He answered them calmly, “Yes, I say that.” They seized him by his cloak, and Abu Bakr pleaded for his release with tears streaming, saying, “Will you kill a man merely because he says, ‘My Lord is Allah’?”
Whoever saw the Messenger (PBUH) on the day of Ta’if surely saw a living example of his truthfulness and loyalty. He turned his face toward the tribe of Thaqif, calling them to Allah, the One, the Irresistible.
Was what he faced from his own people not enough? Did it not warn him of the even greater harm that could come from a people with whom he had no blood ties? Absolutely not. These calculations did not concern him. Allah had commanded him to convey the message, and that was enough. He remembered the day when his people’s stubbornness grew, and he went home wrapped in his cloak from sorrow. Then the voice of heaven reached his heart, and revelation came with the same call as on the day in the cave: “O you who are wrapped up, arise and warn” (74:1–2).
He had to convey the message and warn. He was a Messenger who did not fear harm and did not seek comfort. So he went to Ta’if to convey the word of Allah to its people.
There, however, the nobles gathered against him more cunningly than their counterparts in Makkah. They set their servants and youths upon him. They abandoned the noblest Arab custom—honoring the guest and protecting the one who seeks refuge.
They incited their rabble and their children against the Messenger (PBUH), pelting him with stones.
This was the man for whom Quraysh had once offered to collect wealth so that he would be the richest among them and their leader and king—and he refused, saying, “I am only the servant of Allah and His Messenger.”
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