The Prophet and the method of his mission in Mecca
- Updated On Sunday, 27 July 2014
- Written by Allamah Qurashi
- Editor Faisal Shaheen
- Supervisor Sayyed Roohullah Musavi
- Published on Wednesday, 07 May 2014
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- Hits: How did the prophet invite the people of Quraysh toward Islam?
It is useful to discuss the method of the Islamic mission in Mecca, the strong fort of idolatry and polytheism. The center of bad habits and traditions had resulted from the deep ignorance of those people. The Prophet's mission in inviting people towards Islam was based on the following methods: 1- wisdom and good preaching Allah has said, (Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and have disputations with them in the best manner; surely your Lord best knows those who go astray from His path, and He knows best those who follow the right way).1 Indeed, the Prophet (a.s.) adhered to all forms of wisdom and reason in presenting arguments to guide that society and save it from its ignorance. 2- good saying The Prophet's invitation hinged on the good speech that did not provoke anyone's passion or hurt their dignity. Allah has said, (And say to My servants (that) they speak that which is best),2 and said, (and speak kindly to mankind).3 3- leniency and mercy The Prophet's (a.s.) mission depended on leniency and mercifulness and he avoided harshness and strictness. Allah has taught and guided him to these high morals. Allah has said: (and had you been rough, hard hearted, they would certainly have dispersed from around you).4 4- repelling evil with what is best The Prophet (a.s.) repelled the oppression and severity of the people of Quraysh against him by being kind and charitable to them as Allah the Almighty had said to him, (Repel (evil) with what is best, then lo! he between whom and you was enmity would be as if he were a warm friend).5 5- patience The Prophet (a.s.) armed himself with patience in fulfilling his mission, for Allah had ordered him of that. Allah has said, (And bear patiently what they say and avoid them with a becoming avoidance),6and said, (And be patient, and your patience is not but by (the assistance of) Allah, and grieve not for them, and do not distress yourself at what they plan),7 and said, (So wait patiently for the command of your Lord, and obey not from among them a sinner or an ungrateful one).8 Prophet Muhammad (a.s.) suffered from the people of Quraysh the severest kinds of harms and distresses. Nevertheless, he did not mind. He tolerated all of their torments for the sake of Allah and he pressed on in fulfillling his mission until Allah the Almighty granted him with the great victory over his enemies. Allah ordered him to imitate His Arch-Prophets who were patient through hardships that arose from their peoples. Allah has said, (So bear up patiently as the Arch-Prophets bear up with patience and do not seek to hasten for them (their doom)).9 6- warning the unbelievers against Allah's punishment From among the methods of the Prophet's (a.s.) mission was his warning the society against the punishment of Allah the Almighty if people did not respond to him. He recited before them the Qur'anic verses that censured their disbelief and deviation. Allah has said, (And whoever does not believe in Allah and His Messenger, then surely We have prepared burning fire for the unbelievers),10 and said, (and We have prepared for the unbelievers a disgraceful chastisement).11 The Holy Qur'an has many verses warning the unbelievers against the torment of Allah and confirming their doom and banishment to the fire of Hell, to be subject to severe torture. 7- giving good tidings to the believers to be in the Paradise The Prophet (a.s.) always gave good news to the believers, in that they would win the Paradise with all its bliss. Allah has said: (Surely Allah will cause those who believe and do good deeds to enter gardens beneath which rivers flow),12 and (Surely the righteous shall be in gardens and rivers, in the seat of honor with a most Powerful King),13 and (Those who believed in Our communications and were submissive; enter the garden, you and your wives; you shall be made happy. There shall be sent round to them golden bowls and drinking-cups and therein shall be what their souls yearn after and (wherein) the eyes shall delight, and you shall abide therein).14 There are many other verses like these ones that the Prophet (a.s.) made use of in carrying out his mission and spreading his values and goals.
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References: 1 Qur'an, 16:125. 2 Qur'an, 17:53. 3 Qur'an, 2:83. 4 Qur'an, 3:159. 5 Qur'an, 41:34. 6 Qur'an, 73:10. 7 Qur'an, 16:127. 8 Qur'an, 76:24. 9 Qur'an, 46:35. 10 Qur'an, 48:13. 11 Qur'an, 4:37, 151. 12 Qur'an, 22:14. 13 Qur'an, 54:54-55. 14 Qur'an, 43:69-71.