2-26-2013

Episode 37: The Torture & Suffering of the Early Muslims in Makkah

Seerah 37

Welcome to Seerah Pearls, which aims to highlight some tantalising learning points from each episode of the Seerah- Life of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

This episode covers how the Quraysh reacted to the new, growing Muslim community in Makkah. They decided to unleash terror and torture on the early converts, in an attempt to scare people away from the message of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). A key orchestrator of this tactic was Abu Jahl.

 

Abu Jahl

His real name was Amr ibn Hisham and he belonged to the Makhzum tribe. Also known as Abu al-Hakam, he was a leader in Quraysh. As he denied and refused the preaching of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam), he became known as ‘Abu Jahl’- the father of ignorance.

 

Bilal ibn Rabah

Abu Jahl started to torture the slaves in the community. Bilal was an African slave owned by Ummayah ibn Khalaf, who was best friends with Abu Jahl. Abu Jahl asked permission to deal with Bilal and his acceptance of Islam, which was granted. Abu Jahl would whip Bilal all night until he would become exhausted. When the heat would reach its peak, he would lay Bilal down upon the scorching sand and put a rock onto of him to pin him down. Bilal would be tied to horses made to run. Bilal’s faith would not be shaken: he became known by the calls of ‘Ahad, Ahad!’- ‘One God, One God!’ Abu Bakr bought Bilal for an inflated price and set him free. Bilal was made the muezzin of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

 

Amr bin Fuhairah

Amr bin Fuhairah was as a slave who was tortured. Abu Bakr purchased his freedom and he continued to work for him as a shepherd. Amr was skilled as a tracker.

 

Zunairah

This female slave belonged to the Makhzum clan. She was handed over to Abu Jahl to be tortured. Deprived of sleep, food and water, she became blind as a result of the malnourishment. Abu Jahl taunted her that that the idols Al-Lat and Al-Uzza had taken her sight away. She responded that her Lord Allah had decided this and that he could return her eyesight. Miraculously the next day, her eyesight was restored. Abu Bakr also purchased her freedom.

 

An-Nahdiyah

This lady and her daughter were slaves and tortured by their mistress. She brought them flour to grind and make bread. Abu Bakr secured their freedom and advised them to return the flour to their mistress. However, the mother and daughter finished the job they were given before moving on.

 

Khabbab ibn al-Aratt

Khabbab was kidnapped as young boy and sold into slavery. He accepted Islam in the early days. The Quraysh experimented torture upon him. He gained freedom and joined the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). He would be an inspirational figure: Umar ibn al-Khattab would sit with him and when he felt overwhelmed, Umar would ask to see Khabbab’s back and the scars of his torture. Umar said he had never seen anything like it in his life.

 

Ammar ibn Yasir

Ammar was the son of Yasir and Sumayyah. Ammar accepted Islam and he would sneak at night to sit and worship with the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). His parents were worried about the consequences of this, but after hearing about Islam, they both accepted. Abu Jahl found out and he inflicted torture upon the family. He tied the family up and would leave them there for days. The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) would walk by in tears saying, ‘Patience oh family of Yasir! Congratulations, you will be reunited in Paradise!’ Abu Bakr offered to purchase them but this was declined. Sumayyah shouted at Abu Jahl that no matter what he did, they would not renounce their Islam. Abu Jahl became infuriated and killed her with a spear in front of her husband and son.