Persecution Begins
The persecution of the early Muslims marked one of the most painful periods in the history of Islam. The Quraysh subjected believers to relentless torture, humiliation, and even death. The early Muslim community carried deep memories of these injustices, and in any biography of the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ, it is fitting to remember the lives and sacrifices of those who recognized the truth of his message and remained steadfast in their faith in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
Bilal bin Rabah (may Allah be pleased with him) was the slave of Umayya bin Khalaf. Furious that his slave dared to proclaim spiritual independence, Umayya would tie a rope around Bilal’s neck and hand him over to street boys, who dragged him through the streets as Bilal repeated, “One! One!”—affirming the Oneness of Allah. Umayya would also throw Bilal on the scorching sands at noon, place a heavy rock on his chest, and say, “You will lie here until you die or deny Muhammed ﷺ and worship Lat and Uzza.” Yet Bilal’s resolve never faltered; he continued to proclaim, “One! One!”
At last, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) saw Bilal in this state, and using his wealth to seek Allah’s pleasure, he purchased and freed him.
Amir bin Fuhayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) was another early believer who was beaten so brutally that he lost consciousness and could not speak coherently.
Aflah (Abu Faqih) (may Allah be pleased with him), a slave of Banu Abdul Dar, was also tortured under the burning sun. His tormentors would place a heavy stone on his chest, leaving him unconscious. Once, they dragged him by a rope tied around his neck until he nearly died. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), unable to bear the sight, bought and freed him. Later, Aflah migrated to Abyssinia.
Khabbab ibn Al-Aratt (may Allah be pleased with him), a skilled blacksmith owned by a woman of Banu Khuzaa named Umm Anmar, was also severely tortured. She would burn his back with his own tools to force him to renounce his faith in Muhammed ﷺ. Others joined in—twisting his neck, pulling his hair, and throwing him onto burning coals while pinning him down with a rock. Yet, his faith only grew stronger.
Zinnira (may Allah have mercy on her), a Roman slave girl, accepted Islam and was tortured until she lost her sight. The Quraysh mocked her, claiming that Lat and Uzza had blinded her. She replied that it was Allah’s will—and that He could restore her vision if He wished. The next morning, her eyesight was fully restored, but her oppressors dismissed it as “Muhammed’s sorcery.”
Umm Abis (may Allah have mercy on her), a slave of Banu Zahra, suffered under her master Malik Aswad bin Abd Yaghuth, a sworn enemy of Muhammed ﷺ who constantly ridiculed the Prophet.
A slave girl of Amr bin Mu’mil from Banu Adiy also embraced Islam. She was tortured by Umar ibn Khattab—before he accepted Islam—who would beat her until he grew tired. When he paused, she told him, “You stop not out of mercy, but because of fatigue. Your Lord will treat you accordingly.”
Nahdiya and her daughter (may Allah have mercy on them), slaves of a woman from Banu Abdul Dar, were also punished for their faith until Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) freed them. When his father, Abu Quhafa, rebuked him for freeing the weak instead of the strong, Abu Bakr replied, “I seek only the pleasure of Allah.” Allah revealed verses affirming his sincerity:
“I warn you of a Fire blazing fiercely. None shall enter it except the most wretched—those who deny and turn away.
But the righteous will be kept away from it, those who spend their wealth to purify themselves, not seeking reward from anyone,
but only the countenance of their Lord, the Most High.
They will surely be pleased.”
(Surah Al-Layl, 92:14–21)
Not all slaves who embraced Islam were rescued. Some died under torture, while others were forced to renounce Islam publicly though they kept faith in their hearts.
Ammar ibn Yasir and his parents, from the Banu Makhzoom tribe, were tormented under the leadership of Abu Jahl. The Prophet Muhammed ﷺ saw their suffering and said, “Patience, O family of Yasir! Your destination is Paradise.” Yasir eventually died under torture, and his wife Sumayyah bint Khayyat (may Allah have mercy on her), became the first martyr in Islam when Abu Jahl stabbed her with a spear.
Ammar himself was tortured until he was forced to utter words of disbelief, though his heart remained full of faith. Feeling deep remorse, he was comforted by the revelation:
“Whoever disbelieves in Allah after believing—except for one who is compelled while his heart is secure in faith—will face Allah’s wrath and a severe punishment.”
(Surah An-Nahl, 16:106)
Even some families turned against their own. Mus’ab bin Umayr (may Allah be pleased with him), once known for his luxury, was disowned and starved by his mother when he embraced Islam. Tortured mercilessly, his skin peeled like that of a snake.
Suhayb bin Sinan (may Allah be pleased with him) was also tortured until he lost control over his speech.
The Quraysh viewed enslaved Muslims as rebels deserving death, but even wealth and status could not always protect converts. Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), a nobleman, was once wrapped tightly in a mat and suffocated with burning incense.
Abu Bakr and Talha bin Ubaydullah (may Allah be pleased with them) were also tied together by Naufal bin Khuwaylid—or, according to some reports, Uthman bin Ubaydullah—so they could not pray. When they were later found praying freely, people said the rope had miraculously come undone, earning them the title “Qarayn” (the paired ones).
Abu Jahl, infamous for his arrogance and hatred of Islam, made it his mission to harm the believers. When a person of low status embraced Islam, he beat them viciously. When someone of high rank converted, he resorted to threats and humiliation instead.
The Quraysh Refrain from Physically Harming the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ
Despite their hatred, the Quraysh did not physically attack the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ. His noble lineage and the protection of his respected uncle Abu Talib, the chief of Banu Abd Manaf, safeguarded him. The people of Makkah revered Abu Talib and would not dare dishonor him by harming his nephew.
Unable to act directly, the Quraysh instead approached Abu Talib with veiled threats, hoping he would convince Muhammed ﷺ to abandon his call to Islam.