Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Question 3

Describe the way the Prophet (pbuh) began openly calling the Makkans to Islam and their reaction.

Use the AO1 Levels of Response.

Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.

After a few years of secret preaching and keeping Islam hidden, the Prophet (pbuh) was commanded to start preaching openly. ‘And admonish thy nearest kinsmen,’ sura 26.214.

First, he invited his kinsmen together and told them about his belief in one god, and asked them to come to his faith. Abu Lahab rejected him, but Abu Talib offered support.

God sent another revelation in which the Prophet (pbuh) was commanded to preach openly; ‘Therefore, expound openly what thou art commanded, and turn away from those who join false gods with Allah,’ sura 15.94. The Prophet (pbuh) stood on Mount Safa and called the people to Islam.

He said: ‘If I were to tell you that there were some horsemen in the valley planning to raid you, will you believe me?’ They said: ‘Yes, we have never experienced any lie from you.’ He said: ‘I am a warner to you before a severe torment.’ Abu Lahab promptly replied: ‘Perish you all the day! Have you summoned us for such a thing?’ The verses from sura Lahab were revealed in response: ‘Perish the two hands of Abi Lahab’ (sura 111:1).

They rejected his call to Islam, and subsequently went on to mock and torture the Prophet (pbuh) as well as the new Muslims such as Bilal. Ammar bin Yasir and his family also faced persecutions at the hands of Makkans. The Prophet (pbuh) was called a mad man, or possessed by jinn (sura 15.6, 68.51). Abu Lahab forced his two sons to divorce the Prophet’s daughters Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum.

They laughed and mocked the Prophet (pbuh) after his son’s death, calling him ‘abtar’. Abu Jahl had the foetus of a she-camel placed on the Prophet’s back while he was praying at the Ka’ba, which was removed by Fatima. He had rubbish thrown on him when he walked in the street.

They tried to pressure Abu Talib to force the Prophet (pbuh) to renounce his mission, but the Prophet (pbuh) refused, and Abu Talib continued to support and protect him. The Makkans tried to bribe the Prophet (pbuh) with vast riches and marriage to the most beautiful woman in Makka, both of which he refused.

The Prophet (pbuh) and Banu Hashim were boycotted and were not allowed business dealings or social contact with the Makkans; they stayed in Shib i Abi Talib for three years, where they had little food or water.

What lessons can Muslims learn from the Prophet’s response to the

Makkans reaction, and apply in their own lives?

Use the AO2 Levels of Response.

Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited.

One of the lessons could be that the Prophet (pbuh) showed resilience and patience when the Makkans were taunting him. He did not taunt them in return or cause them harm in return.

He stayed steadfast to the faith even though he did not know how long the difficulties and tortures would last.

He did not stop preaching Islam and did not hide away or hide his faith. Muslims can apply this in their own lives when they are in difficult situations, whether they are being treated badly at school or work. It may be better not to retaliate or cause harm to others, but they can still continue to have strength in their faith, and they can take measures to protect their faith.