Persecution of Muslims by Meccans

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

Main articles: Muhammad in Mecca and Persecution of Muslims

Overview

Sumayyah bint Khabbab, and her husband Yasir were tortured to death by Abu Jahl.[1][2]

Muhammad was protected somewhat by the influence of his family. Abu Lahab's wife Umm Jamil would regularly dump filth outside his door.[3] An eyewitness mentioned that the worst thing he ever saw the Quraish doing to Muhammad was that a person from Quraish clutched his clothes.[4]

Migration age

7 BH (614–615 CE)

6 BH (615–616 CE)

Main article: Second migration to Abyssinia

In 6 BH (616 CE) almost one hundred Muslims made a second migration back to Abyssinia where they stayed protected. After the Muslims in Arabia had migrated to Medina in AH 7 (628/629) and attained security, the Muslims in Abyssinia migrated back to Arabia and reunited with them in Medina [5] after six years absence.

5 BH (616–617 CE)

Main article: Meccan boycott of the Hashemites

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

3 BH (618–619 CE)

Main article: Year of Sorrow

2 BH (619–620 CE)

Main article: Muhammad's visit to Ta'if

Post Migration age and response

Invasion of Safwan

Muhammad ordered an attack to pursue Kurz bin Jabir Al-Fihri.

Invasion of Sawiq

Main article: Invasion of Sawiq

Muhammad ordered Muslims to pursue Abu Sufyan for killing 2 Muslims and burning a corn field[3]

The tortured slaves by Quraysh in Mecca

Main article:Torture

Males

• Bilal ibn Rabah al-Habshi, tortured by Umayyah ibn Khalaf
• Abu Fakiha, Aflah ibn Yasar, tortured by Abu Jahl
• Abu Fuhayra/ Abu Amr, Amir ibn Fuhayra, tortured by Abu Jahl
• Khabbab ibn al-Aratt, tortured by (Umm Anmaar) Harla bint Abd-al-Uzza and (Abu Jahm) Siba'a ibn Abd-al-Uzza
• Yasir ibn Amir, tortured by Abu Jahl until died
• Harith ibn Yasir, also tortured by Abi Jahl until died
• Abdullah ibn Yasir, also tortured by Abu Jahl until died
• Ammar ibn Yasir, tortured by Abu Jahl twice
• Mu'mil ibn Abdullah al-Thaqafi, tortured by Abu Jahl

Females

Tags: The females were tortured by Umar ibn al-Khattab (before he became muslim) and Abu Jahl

• Lubaynah,
• Al-Nahdiah
• Hakima bint Habib ibn Ku'ayb al-Nahdiyya al-Thaqifiyya
• Umm Ubays
• Na'ilah bint al-Mu'ammil
• Umm Umays
• Umm Unays
• Harithah bint al-Mu'ammil
• Zunayra al-Rumiya bint al-Mu'ammil
• Umm Shareek
• Ghaziyyah bint Jabir ibn Hakim
• al-Dawsiyah
• al-Mu'ammilah
• Sumayya bint Khayyat
• Jariyyah bint Amr ibn al-Mu'ammil

List of Specific Recorded Instances

Slaves who were Muslims

Male

• Abu Fakih – tied and dragged on burning sand, had a very heavy stone put on his chest [6]
• Ammar ibn Yasir – tortured.[7]

Female

• Al-Nahdiah – tortured[7]
• Umm Ubays – tortured[7]
• Lubaynah– extensively beaten[7]
• Zinnira – beaten until she lost her eyesight temporarily.[6]

Free Muslims

• Umm Kulthum bint Muhammad – was divorced on orders of Abu Lahab[5]
• Ruqayyah bint Muhammad – was divorced on orders of Abu Lahab [5]
• Sa'd ibn Ubadah – tortured and almost killed.[5]

References

1. Lings, Martin. Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources. pp. 79–80. ISBN 978-0946621330.
2. Ibn Ishaq, Sirat Rasul Allah. Translated by Guillaume, A. (1955). The Life of Muhammad, p. 145. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
3. Mubarakpuri, The Sealed Nectar, pp.150-151. (online)
4. Guillaume, A (2004). "How the apostle was treated by his own people". The Life of Muhammad. Oxford. p. 131.
5. The Sealed Nectar The Second ‘Aqabah Pledge Archived 2006-11-28 at the Wayback Machine on sunnipath.com
6. "witness-pioneer.org". witness-pioneer.org.
7. "Islam's Holy Prophet Muhammad - The Millennium Biography of Muhammad The Prophet of Allah - Chapter 30: Persecution". islamic-paths.org. Archived from the original on 21 April 2005.