Early Revelation & Meccan Period

Before the arrival of revelation, Makkah was the spiritual center of Arabia, but it had lost the monotheistic teachings of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). The society was steeped in Jahiliyyah (Ignorance).

• Idolatry: The Holy Kaaba housed 360 idols, including Hubal, Lat, and Uzza.
• Social Injustice: The strong devoured the weak. Tribal pride fueled endless wars.
• Status of Women: Women had no rights, and the horrific practice of burying infant daughters alive was common among some tribes.

Approaching the age of 40, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ grew tired of the corruption in Makkah. He began retreating to the Cave of Hira on the Mountain of Light (Jabal al-Nour) for meditation.

Terrified and trembling, he rushed home, his heart beating severely.

He entered his house crying, "Cover me! Cover me!" After calming down, he told his wife Khadijah (RA) what happened, fearing for his life.

She comforted him with these historic words: "By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You uphold the ties of kinship, speak the truth, help the poor and destitute, serve your guests generously, and assist those who are stricken by calamity."

She took him to her cousin, Waraqah bin Nawfal, a Christian scholar, who confirmed: "This is the same Namus (Angel) who came to Moses. I wish I could be alive when your people drive you out."

For the first three years, the call to Islam was kept secret to avoid immediate conflict. The Prophet ﷺ invited his closest friends and family.

• First Woman: Khadijah (RA)
• First Man: Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (RA)
• First Child: Ali bin Abi Talib (RA)
• First Freedman: Zayd bin Harithah (RA)

They would meet secretly in the house of Al-Arqam to learn the Quran and pray.

When Allah revealed the verse "And warn your closest kindred" (26:214), the Prophet ﷺ climbed Mount Safa.

He called out to the clans of Quraish: "If I told you there was an army behind this mountain about to attack you, would you believe me?" They said, "Yes, we have never found you lying." He then said: "I am a warner to you of a severe punishment."

His uncle Abu Lahab shouted, "May you perish! Did you gather us for this?" This marked the beginning of open hostility.

The chiefs of Makkah (Abu Jahl, Umayyah bin Khalaf, Utbah) could not tolerate a message that attacked their idols and preached equality between master and slave. They launched a campaign of torture:

• Bilal ibn Rabah (RA): Was dragged on burning desert sand with a heavy rock placed on his chest. He would only say, "Ahad, Ahad" (One, One).
• Family of Yasir: Ammar bin Yasir and his parents were tortured. His mother, Sumayyah (RA), was stabbed to death by Abu Jahl, becoming the first martyr of Islam.
• Boycott: The Prophet's clan (Banu Hashim) was boycotted for three years in a valley (Shi'b Abi Talib), where they were starved until they ate tree leaves.

Despite the brutality, the Prophet ﷺ never responded with violence. He prayed for his enemies. When he went to the city of Ta'if to seek support, the locals stoned him until his shoes were filled with blood.

The Angel of Mountains appeared and offered to crush the city between two mountains. The Prophet ﷺ replied: "No, I hope that Allah will bring forth from their loins people who worship Allah alone."

Seeing the suffering of his companions, the Prophet ﷺ advised them to migrate to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), ruled by a just Christian King, Najashi (Negus).

In the 10th year of Prophethood, two great tragedies struck within weeks:

1. Death of Abu Talib: His uncle, who protected him socially and politically, passed away.
2. Death of Khadijah (RA): His beloved wife, his emotional and financial support, passed away.

This was the lowest point in the Prophet's ﷺ mission. The Makkans increased their physical attacks, even throwing dust on his head.

To comfort the Prophet ﷺ after the Year of Grief, Allah granted him the miraculous journey of Isra and Miraj. He traveled from Makkah to Jerusalem and then ascended to the Heavens to meet Allah.

This event reinforced his faith and prepared him for the next great phase: The Migration (Hijrah) to Madinah.