Propaganda

When the pagans failed to extinguish Islam through mockery of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ or by diverting people’s attention from his message, they resorted to attempts at discrediting him.
First, they alleged that the Qur’an was nothing more than a collection of confused dreams which Muhammad ﷺ experienced at night and recited during the day. At other times, they claimed he had invented the Qur’an line by line himself, or that a certain man composed it for him, which Muhammad ﷺ then memorised and repeated. They even accused him of fabricating lies with the help of others, or said that the Qur’an was nothing but ancient tales and folklore recited morning and evening. Some went as far as to assert that a jinn or demon was teaching him these verses.
In response to these baseless claims, Allah revealed:
“Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend? They descend upon every sinful liar.” (Qur’an 26:221–222)

The pagans also spread the rumour that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ suffered from seizures, claiming that these fits were the source of his so-called poetic inspiration. Allah refuted this slander, saying:
“As for poets, only those who are astray follow them. Do you not see that they wander distracted in every valley, and say what they do not do?” (Qur’an 26:224–225)

Allah thus refuted the false notion that Muhammad ﷺ was a poet, explaining that true poets’ followers are misguided, they speak aimlessly, and they boast of deeds they never perform. In contrast, the Prophet ﷺ and his followers were upright and sincere. His teachings focused on calling people to worship Allah alone, and he embodied and lived the very principles he taught.

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Argument and Quibbling

The pagans particularly opposed three core teachings of the Prophet ﷺ — the resurrection after death, the humanity of the Messenger, and the concept of the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed). These principles were, in their eyes, incomprehensible and absurd.
They mocked the belief in resurrection, asking, “How can we be brought back to life after becoming dust and bones? How can our ancestors return?” They ridiculed the Prophet ﷺ among themselves, saying, “Come and see this man who claims you will be raised after being torn apart! Is he inventing lies about God or is he mad?”
But Allah, through the Qur’an, appealed to human reason and justice — explaining that resurrection is both logical and necessary. The Qur’an asks us to consider: what about the oppressor who dies unpunished, or the innocent victim who dies in suffering? What about the righteous person who never receives a reward, and the wrongdoer who escapes accountability? If death were the end, injustice would prevail — and that cannot be the design of Allah, the Most Just.

Allah says:
“Shall We treat those who believe like those who spread corruption? What is the matter with you, how do you judge?” (Qur’an 68:35–36)
“Do those who commit evil think that We will make them equal to those who believe and do good, both in this life and the next? Evil indeed is their judgment.” (Qur’an 45:21)
He reminds humanity that reviving the dead is far easier than creating the heavens and the earth:
“Do they not realise that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, is able to bring the dead back to life? Yes indeed, He has power over all things.” (Qur’an 46:33)
“Just as We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. This is a promise We have made, and We shall surely fulfil it.” (Qur’an 21:104)

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The Humanity of the Prophet ﷺ

Although the Quraysh regarded Muhammad ﷺ as truthful and trustworthy, they struggled to accept him as a Prophet and Messenger of Allah. They said mockingly:
“What sort of Messenger is this who eats food and walks in the markets?” (Qur’an 25:7)
Allah addressed their confusion, saying:
“They marvel that a warner has come from among themselves.” (Qur’an 50:2)
Throughout history, every Prophet sent by Allah was human:
“You are only a man like us.” (Qur’an 14:10)
“Indeed, we are but men like you, but Allah bestows His grace upon whom He wills.” (Qur’an 14:11)
Had Allah sent angels as messengers, humans would have argued that they could not follow supernatural beings. Thus, Allah sent human messengers to model divine guidance in real life.
“If We had sent an angel, We would have made him appear as a man, and We would have confused them in what they already doubt.” (Qur’an 6:9)
Still, the Quraysh objected that Muhammad ﷺ was once an orphan without wealth or status, asking:
“Why was not this Qur’an sent down upon a great man from one of the two towns (Makkah or Ta’if)?” (Qur’an 43:31)
Allah replied:
“Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord?” (Qur’an 43:32)
and
“Allah knows best where to place His Message.” (Qur’an 6:124)

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Worldly Expectations

The polytheists argued that if Muhammad ﷺ were truly sent by Allah, he would live like a king — with riches, palaces, and servants. They said:
“Why has not an angel been sent down to accompany him, or a treasure granted to him, or a garden from which he may eat?” (Qur’an 25:7–8)
But the Prophet ﷺ viewed his mission differently. He was sent to guide all people — rich and poor, powerful and weak. Living humbly allowed him to reach every heart and show that faith was compatible with ordinary life. His true honour lay not in material grandeur, but in being the Messenger of Allah.

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The Core Conflict: Tawheed

What angered the Quraysh most was not social or political reform — it was the message of pure monotheism. While they acknowledged Allah as the Creator and Sustainer, they also believed that certain saints and beings possessed special powers to intercede on their behalf. They built shrines over their graves, made offerings, and sought blessings through them. They prayed to these figures, saying, “O father, fulfil my need and remove my hardship.”
They assumed these “holy men” could hear and answer prayers or intercede with Allah. Allah refuted their beliefs, declaring that those they invoked were powerless:
“Those you call upon besides Allah are servants like you. Call upon them, then let them answer you, if you are truthful.” (Qur’an 7:194)
“Those whom you invoke besides Allah cannot create even a fly; and if a fly were to snatch something away from them, they could not recover it. How weak are the seekers and the sought!” (Qur’an 22:73)
The pagans defended their idolatry by saying they were following their ancestors’ religion. Allah exposed their ignorance:
“We found our fathers following a certain path, and we are following in their footsteps.” (Qur’an 43:23)
“They found their fathers astray, and they hastened to follow in their footsteps.” (Qur’an 37:69–70)
They even threatened the Prophet ﷺ, claiming, “Our gods have afflicted you with madness.” (Qur’an 11:54)
Allah responded, revealing the utter helplessness of their idols:
“Do they have feet to walk with? Hands to grasp with? Eyes to see with? Ears to hear with?” (Qur’an 7:195)

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Escalation and Persecution

When the arguments of the Quraysh failed, they turned to persecution. The tribal leaders demanded that Abu Talib restrain his nephew, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, from preaching. The believers faced torture, exile, and economic hardship — yet they remained steadfast.
The Quraysh offered worldly suffering, but Allah and His Messenger ﷺ promised eternal Paradise. Despite the trials, the early Muslims chose the Hereafter over the fleeting comforts of this world — firm in faith, certain in Allah’s justice, and devoted to His Oneness.