.jpg)
The Makkan period of the life of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is replete with examples of firmness of faith and patient perseverance in the face of ever-worsening circumstances and intensifying opposition to the Quraysh. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) was tortured and teased both physically and mentally but he remained unshaken in his faith and it indeed was strengthened despite the increasing hostility of the Makkans.
He was mocked by his own uncle Abu Lahab and other Makkan
chiefs, over the death of his son and this saddened him but his faith was bound
to be strengthened when God promised him the abundance of spiritual children:
"We indeed have granted you the Abundance." (Surah Kawthar; 108:1).
Then the Quraysh approached the uncle of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), Abu Talib, and asked him to pressurize his nephew to abandon his mission. The Holy Prophet's reply, however, was even more frustrating for them when he said:
"O my uncle! By God, if they put the Sun in my right hand and the Moon in my left on the condition that I abandon this course, I would not abandon it until God has made me victorious or I perish therein."
After the conversion of Umar bin Al-Khattab (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) and Hamzah bin Abdul Muttalib (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ), the Quraysh changed their strategy and sent Utbah bin Rabiah to negotiate with the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) and offer him marvelous worldly attractions-chiefdom of Makkah, immense wealth or marriage with the most beautiful woman. Utbah, too, was disappointed when the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) flatly refused all the offers.
We find the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) absolutely firm and resolute during the three years of Social Boycott imposed jointly by the Makkan Chiefs when he and the members of Banu Hashim had to live (besieged) for three years in the Shi'b (Gorge) of Abi Talib under sub-human conditions.
Similarly, the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is seen as a fully determined man having complete reliance during his three-day stay in the cave of Thaur together with Abu Bakr during the journey of emigration to Madinah. At the most critical juncture of their stay, the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is seen to comfort Abu Bakr (رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ) by saying:
"Do not grieve, verily, God is with us." (Tauba; 9:40).
The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) continued to set examples of firmness throughout his Madinite life too. During, his clashes with the Makkans till he gained a decisive victory by conquering Makkah.
