When Muhammad (saaw) was appointed to Prophethood, the society, its belief, values, emotions and laws were non-Islamic. In sum, the society was Jahilliyah. The Prophet (saaw) presented the Muslims as an organized group that was intent on challenging and changing the society, its values, ideals, practices, emotions and systems of ruling and the organization of life's affairs. In this task, the Prophet (saaw) met the Jahilliyah system head on without any compromise or deviation.


For 13 years, the Prophet (saaw) conducted an ideological warfare on the society of Mecca. He never employed any material force, although, under his command were the Sahabah (raa) with the likes of Hamza (ra) and 'Umar (ra), to name a few. He (saaw) never attempted to break any idol or physically prevent the people from running nude around the Ka'aba as the people of Jahilliya were inclined to do.


Instead, he (saaw) understood the importance of conducting the Da'wah through his tongue. The purpose being to address the thoughts of the people and asking them to comprehensively change. His objective was to break the loyalty from the existing way of life to Islam, to break the illegitimate bonds and ties between the people and to replace them with Islam. It is extremely important that we understand the significance of this attack conducted by the Prophet (saaw). This type of attack is far more important than the material attack (ex: guns, bombing). Even more importantly, material struggle is not part of the methodology of the Prophet (saaw) in changing the society from kufr to an Islamic one. For 13 years, the verbal assault conducted by the Prophet (saaw) and his Sahabah (raa) throttled the Qurayshi society. Because of this intellectual struggle against Quraysh, in which the Prophet (saaw) attacked Jahilliyah in all its forms, his relations with Quraysh deteriorated and men withdrew from him in enmity. They were always talking about him (saaw) and inciting one another against him (saaw). 'Utbah bin Rabi'a, with the approval from the Quraysh, asked Muhammad (saaw):''0 my nephew, you are one of us as you know, of the noblest of the tribe and hold a worthy position in ancestry. You have come to your people with an important matter, dividing their community thereby and ridiculing their customs, and you have insulted their gods and their religion, and declared that their forefathers were unbelievers... If what you want is money we will gather for you our property so that you may be the richest of us; if you want honour, we will make you our chief so that no one can decide anything apart from you; if you want sovereignty, we will make you king, and if it is a spirit which comes to you, which you see, and is such that you cannot get rid of him, we will find a physician for you, and exhaust our means in getting you cured'' (Ibn Hisham)


In a very short time, the Prophet (saaw) succeeded in making the thoughts of Islam the main theme of discussion in Mecca. The fact that the leaders of Mecca took a firm stand to fight Islam and the Messenger (saaw) shows the impact of the ideological warfare waged by the Muslims. Rather than yielding to the pressures of the chiefs and the political establishment, the Prophet (saaw) received the revelation from Allah (swt) to declare his mission, to take it open and address the public directly:
''Therefore proclaim openly (Allah's Message) that which you are commanded, and turn away from AI-Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah). Truly! We will suffice you against the scoffers, who set up along with Allah another llah (god), They will come to know.'' (Al-Hijr 15: 94-96)


The Qur'an also reports to us that the Prophet (saaw) was being prepared from the very first day of his mission to carry a huge task:
''Verily, We shall send to you a Weighty Word (i.e. obligation legal ways, etc.)''(Al Muzammil 73:5)

''0 You (Muhammad) enveloped (in garments)! Arise and Warn.'' (Al-Muddathir 74:1-2)


Allah (swt) ordained the Prophet (saaw) to warn his own kith and kin through the Ayah:


And warn your tribe (0 Muhammad) of near kindred. And be kind and humble to the believers who follow you. Then if they disobey you, say: ''I am innocent of what you do''(Ash-Shu'ara 26: 214- 216)


Prophet Muhammad (saaw) directed his cousin 'Ali (ra) to arrange for a dinner. He invited all of the branches of Quraysh to dine with him. At that banquet, he (saaw) asked his relatives, ''Should I tell you a Kalimah which may bring give you the domination of the World?.''


When Abu Jahl asked about this Kalimah, the Prophet (saaw) recited La-Ilaha llallah. This enraged the idolaters. They left and only 'Ali (ra) committed himself to stand by the side of the Prophet (saaw) although he was just 11 years old.


The Kalimah is revolutionary in its nature. It was a Message challenging each and every authority to surrender to Allah (swt). The idolaters of Mecca, understanding the concept of the Kalimah and what it demanded, opposed it knowingly tooth and nail. It was directly hitting their vested interests in the society of Jahilliyah (ignorance). It was a direct challenge to their political hegemony and leadership.The Prophet (saaw) also went to the top of the hill of As-Safa and proclaimed to all the clans of Quraysh:


''0 Banu Fihr! 0 Banu Adi!'' as he (saaw) addressed the various tribes of Quraysh until they were assembled. Those who could not come themselves sent their representatives to see what was happening there. Abu Lahab and other people from Quraysh came, and the Prophet (saaw) then said, ''Tell me, if I were to inform you that some cavalry in the valley were about attack you, would you believe me?'' They said ''Yes, we have not experienced anything except truthfulness from you.'' He then said, ''I am a warner to you before a severe chastisement.?'' Abu Lahab shouted angrily, ''Tabban lak (damn you). Is it for this that you gathered us?'' (Bukhari)


He (saaw) attacked the aristocratic and money conscious values of the Jahilliyah society in the following manner:
''Woe unto every slanderer and backbiter who has gathered wealth and counted it. He thinks that his wealth will make him last forever! Nay! He will be thrown into the crushing fire''(Al-Humaza 104:1-4)


''Woe to Al-Mutaffifin [those who give less in measure and weight (decrease the right of others)]. Those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, demand full measure, and when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due.'' (Al-Mutaffifeen 83:1-3)
[Equivalent to today's capitalist practice of price-fixing and cheating)

''The mutual rivalry for pilling up worldly things diverts you, until you visit the graves (i.e. until you die). Nay! You shall come to know.'' (At-Takathur 102: 1-3)
(Equivalent to today's consumerist culture)

He (saaw) strongly attacked Riba (interest) when Allah (swt) revealed the following: ''And that which you give in Usury (to others), in order that it may increase (your wealth by expecting to get a better one in return from other people's poverty) has no increase with Allah.'' (Ar-Rum 30:39)
[Equivalent of today's money laundering banks)

Concerning the hypocrisy and uncaring feeling of Quraysh leaders towards the deprived and less affluent, Allah (swt) revealed:
''Have you seen his who denies the Recompense? That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly). And urges not the feeding of the poor.'' (Al-Ma'un 107: 1-3)


Al-Wahidi, in Asbab al-Nuzul al Qur'an maintains that the following Surah was revealed in connection with Abu Sufyan ibn Harb. He once gave a big feast for which two sheep were slaughtered. An orphan came into the house and asked for some food. Abu Sufyan was greatly annoyed by the intrusion, and swore at the orphan and hit him on the head with a stick.
''Nay! But you treat not the orphans with kindness and generosity! And urge not the feeding of the poor! And you devour inheritance - all with greed, And you love wealth with much love! Nay! When the earth is grounded to powder, and your Lord comes with the angels in rows, and Hell will be brought near that Day. And that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance avail him?'' (Al-Fajr 89:17-23)


The leaders of Mecca, especially, those who were determined to prevent the propagation of Islam, such as Abu Lahab, Al Waleed, and Abu Jahl, were the focus of the Prophet's (saaw) struggle. An entire Surah in the Qur'an was devoted to the mischief of Abu Lahab; ''Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he! His wealth and his children will not benefit him! He will be burnt in a fire of blazing flames! And his wife too, will carry the wood. In her neck is a twisted rope of Masad (palm fiber)'' (Al-Masad 111: 1-5)


Many historians have regarded al-Walid ibn al-Mughira as being the 'head' of Quraysh at that time. Although Quraysh was very fragmented, and torn by rival feuding, al-Walid commanded respect from most of the different clans. Two separate verses deal with him in a most uncompromising manner:

Leave Me (to deal) with him whom I created lonely. And then be stowed upon him ample means. And sons abiding in his presence. And made (life) smooth for him.'' (Al-Muddhathir 74:11-14)

When Abu Talib fell ill and Quraysh learned of his grave condition, the chiefs of Quraysh reminded one another that now that Hamza and 'Umar had accepted Islam and Muhammad's (saaw) reputation was improving among the clans, that they had better seek a compromise. They came to Abu Talib asking for a compromise with his nephew. The Prophet (saaw) upon listening to them said, ''you may give me one word by which you can rule the Arabs and subject the Persians to you.'' He said: ''You must say There is no God but Allah and you must reject what you worship beside Him.'' They clapped their hands and said, ''Do you want to make all gods into one God, Muhammad? That would be an extra ordinary thing.'' (lbn Hisham)


The chiefs of Mecca, including 'Utbah bin Rab'iah, Shaibah bin Rab'iah, Abu Jahi bin Hisham, Ummayah bin Khalaf, Abu Sufyan bin Harb, and several others were the subject of the leading verses of Surah Sa'ad: ''Sa'ad, By the Qur'an full of reminding. Nay, those who disbelieve are in false pride and opposition. How many a generation have We destroyed before them, and they cried out when there was no longer time for escape! And they wonder that a warner has come to them from among themselves! And the disbelievers say: ''This is a sorcerer, a liar.'' Has he made gods into One llah (God). Verily, this is a curious thing! And the leaders among them went about: Go on, and remain constant to your gods! Verily, This is a thing designed (against you)!'' (Sa'ad 38: 1-6)


Abu Jahl (i.e., Father of Jahilliyya; Jahl means ignorance and Jahilliyah is related to Jahl, such as being proud of being a Jordanian or Pakistani), known as Amr, initially known as Abu'l-Hakim (i.e., Father of ruling), once found the Prophet (saaw) praying and approached him and told him (saaw) that haven't I told you not to pray. The Prophet (saaw) told him that the One whom you are stopping from being worshipped is the One who can take your life. Abu Jahl replied that he was the strongest man in Mecca and the one with the largest tribe; He asked why are you threatening me? Upon this Allah (swt) revealed the following:

''Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds (in disbelief and evil deeds...). Because he considers himself self-sufficient. Surely! Unto your Lord is the return. Have you (0 Muhammad) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents, a slave (Muhammad) when he prays? Tell me, if he (Muhammad) is guided (by Allah)? Or enjoins piety? Tell me if he (Abu Jahl) denies (the truth), and turns away? Knows he not that Allah does see (what he does) ? Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock, a lying, sinful forelock! Then, let him call upon his council (of helpers), We will call the guards of Hell (to deal with him)! Nay! (0 Muhammad)! Do not obey him (Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!'' (Al-Alaq 96: 6-19)


Abu Jahl, when he was mocking the Prophet (saaw) and his Message one day, said: ''Muhammad pretends that God's troops will punish you in hell and imprison you there, are nineteen only, while you have a large population. Can it be that every hundred of you is unequal to one man of them?'' In reference to this Allah (swt) revealed:

''And We have set none but angels as guardians of the Fire, and We have fixed their numbers (19) only as a trial for the disbelievers.'' (Al Muddathir 74:31)

On the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar who said, ''As the Prophet (saaw) was prostrating, some of the Quraysh were not far away, and 'Uqbah ibn Abu Mu'ayt came along with the entrails of a goat and flung them on his (saaw) back. Fatimah, his daughter, came out and removed the anatomical debris and angrily cursed the wrongdoers and prayed that Allah might punish them. Then the Prophet (saaw) raised his head, finished his prostration and prayed passionately, '0 Lord, deal unkindly with Mala (the notables) of Quraysh, Abu Jahl ibn Hashim, 'Utbah ibn Rabi'a, Shayban ibn Rabi'a, Umayyah ibn Khalaf and 'Ubayy ibn Khalaf.'' (Bukhari) Ubbay b. Khalaf took to the Prophet (saaw) an old bone, crumbling it to pieces, and said,

''Muhammad, do you allege that Allah (swt) can bring to life this after it has decayed?'' Then he crumbled it in his hands and blew the pieces in the Prophet's (saaw) face. The Prophet (saaw) replied: ''Yes, I do say that. Allah will raise it and you, after you have become like this.'' Then Allah will send you to the Hellfire.'' (lbn Hisham)

Allah (swt) revealed the following:

''And he puts forth for Us a parable, and forgets his own creation. He says:'' Who will give life to these bones when they have rotted away and become dust? Say (0 Muhammad) He will give life to them Who created them for the first time! And He is the All-Knower of every creation.! He, Who produces for you Fire out of the green tree, when behold! You kindle therewith.'' (Ya-Sin 36: 78-80)

With a very strong determination, the Prophet (saaw) worked at creating a gap between the chiefs of Mecca and the people. He (saaw) especially targeted the most revered idols, zeroing in on Hubal, Al Uzza, and Manat. These objects of reverence were not supposed to be the subject of any criticism. The Prophet (saaw) used every opportunity to undermine, insult, ridicule, and diminish these idols. ''Certainly! You (disbelievers) and that which you are worshipping now besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! (Surely), you will enter it.'' (Al-A nbiyaa 21:98)


''Have you then considered Al-Lat, and Al-Uzza and Manat, the other third? Is it for you the males and for him the females? That indeed is a division most unfair! (An-Najm 53: 19-22)


The Prophet (saaw) blasted the Kuffar on the issue of burying the children alive. The treatment of the orphans, the greed of the elites, and the attachment to the wealth. ''And when the female (infant) buried alive shall be questioned. For what sin she was killed?'' (At- Takwir 81:8-9)
(Equivalent of the abortion practice in current times)

''Nay ! But you treat not the orphans with kindness and generosity! And urge not the feeding of the poor ! And you devour inheritance – all with greed. And you love wealth with much love!'' (Al Fajr 89:17-20)


Another incident narrated by Al-Tabarani is when a delegation from the leaders of Quraysh visited the Prophet (saaw) in order to establish some form of compromise between Islam and their gods. They offered the Prophet (saaw) enough money to make him the richest man in Mecca and offered him the women of Mecca so that he (saaw) may choose from among them a suitable bride on the condition that the Prophet (saaw) quit insulting their gods. They said, ''If you do not accept, then we offer you one more offer that is suitable for both you and us.'' He (saaw) asked them, ''What is that?'' They said, ''You worship our gods one year and we worship your God one year.'' He told them to wait and see what Allah (swt) would reveal as an answer. Allah (swt) revealed surah Kafirun.


''Say: ''0 Al-Kafirun (disbelievers in Allah, in His Oneness, in His Angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the Day of Resurrection).

I worship not that which you worship. Nor will you worship that which I worship.

And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping.

 Nor will you worship that which I worship.

To you be your Deen and to me my Deen.'' (Al Kafirun 109: 1-6)


The Prophet (saaw) and his Sahabah (raa) continued to struggle against the ignorant system of Mecca and its leaders, uncovering their erroneous laws and habits and the wickedness of their ideas and concepts, and proposed Islam as the alternative. Therefore, their work was like a double edged sword: demolishing the errant ideology and stray concepts by demonstrating its contradiction with human nature, building over their ruins the concepts of Iman, and proving their conformity with human nature because they are from Allah (swt) the One and Only and the Creator of mankind.


This is the example of the Messenger of Allah (saaw). Whoever shies away from this task is failing to uphold the Sunnah and the method of the Prophet (saaw). The Ummah must undertake the ideological and intellectual struggle against all non-Islamic ideologies, thoughts, values and systems. This should be done by disclosing the corruption inherent in the prevailing ideologies, systems, and customs. in following the method of the Prophet (saaw), the Ummah must refute capitalism, democracy, communism, nationalism and every other ism. Non Islamic practices, values, systems and laws must be challenged. The awareness of the Ummah must be raised so that we reject these thoughts as un-Islamic.