Part 7 of The Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): Falsehoods Spreading
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| Part 7 of The Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Falsehoods Spreading |
At first, their response was merely one of dismissive amusement. The elite scoffed, thinking the message of Islam would fade away as a strange idea. They would gossip in corners, wondering if Muhammad (PBUH), whom they had always known as the “Trustworthy,” had taken on an unusual obsession. “Surely, he must be seeking something,” they’d say with a sneer, questioning why he spoke of a new belief system when the city’s idols had always served them well. But as the message of Islam reached more followers, the Quraysh recognized that Muhammad’s (PBUH) call was not going to disappear quietly into the sands of Makkah.
As the message of Islam continued to spread in Makkah, the leaders of the Quraysh became more desperate to curb Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) influence. They felt their position of power over the city, reliant upon idol worship and social traditions, slipping from their grasp. To the Quraysh, the message of Islam was not just a call to monotheism; it was a threat to their authority, economic power, and social hierarchy.
Unable to deny the Prophet’s (PBUH) character and integrity, the Quraysh decided to take another approach: they would smear his reputation, hoping to instill doubt in the hearts of those who might be curious about his message.
They gathered to discuss their strategy, with influential figures like Abu Lahab, Abu Jahl, and Walid bin Al-Mughira among them. Walid was a wealthy and respected leader, known for his wisdom and eloquence. Although he hadn’t openly opposed the Prophet (PBUH) as fervently as others, he was deeply concerned about the social upheaval that the new faith might bring.
The Quraysh leaders proposed various ways to undermine the Prophet’s (PBUH) credibility. They accused him of being a poet, a sorcerer, and even a madman, hoping that these labels would deter people from listening to his message. They whispered these accusations throughout the marketplaces, spreading doubt and suspicion. But their words could not easily overshadow the truth of the Prophet’s (PBUH) message. Despite their efforts, more people came to hear him speak, drawn by his sincerity and compassion.
One day, Walid bin Al-Mughira decided to listen to the Prophet’s (PBUH) recitation of the Qur’an. Though he was not a believer, he had heard much about the beauty of the verses, and his curiosity led him to approach the Prophet (PBUH) quietly. He listened as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) recited verses that spoke of the wonders of creation, the majesty of Allah, and the importance of justice and mercy. The words were unlike anything Walid had ever heard; they resonated with a depth and clarity that shook him to his core.
The beauty of the Qur’an’s language and the profound meaning of its verses left Walid speechless. As he walked away, he felt a strange stirring within his heart—a sense of awe that he could not easily dismiss. He could not deny that these verses held a power that went beyond ordinary speech, something divine and extraordinary.
News of Walid’s reaction quickly reached the other leaders of the Quraysh. They were troubled by the thought that even Walid, a man of profound wisdom and influence, was moved by the Prophet’s (PBUH) words. Abu Jahl, known for his fierce opposition to Islam, was particularly disturbed. He feared that if Walid were to speak favorably of the Qur’an, it would only lend credibility to the Prophet’s (PBUH) message. Abu Jahl approached Walid and urged him to speak out against the Prophet (PBUH) to prevent others from being influenced.
Walid faced a profound inner conflict. He could not easily dismiss the words he had heard; they resonated deeply with him. But he was also a man of pride, wealth, and status. Embracing the message of the Prophet (PBUH) would mean relinquishing his position and facing the scorn of his peers. The weight of his pride and fear held him back, even as his heart yearned to acknowledge the truth.
Abu Jahl continued to pressure him, saying, “You must say something to refute him. If people hear that Walid, the wise and respected, is moved by his words, it will only embolden them to follow him.”
Feeling the weight of Abu Jahl’s words, Walid reluctantly agreed to speak against the Qur’an. Yet, even in his opposition, he could not bring himself to belittle the beauty of the verses. He admitted that the Qur’an possessed a charm and eloquence unlike anything he had ever encountered, saying, “By Allah, there is sweetness in his words. There is beauty and elegance that surpasses the words of any poet or sage.”
Abu Jahl, seeing that Walid’s praise of the Qur’an could still sway people, urged him to label it as something dangerous—a form of magic. He persuaded Walid to claim that the Prophet’s (PBUH) words held a mesmerizing quality that could lead people astray.
Despite his reluctance, Walid ultimately agreed to this deception, fearing the loss of his status and the backlash from his peers. He proclaimed to the people, “Muhammad’s words are nothing but sorcery. They possess a spell that can bewitch the hearts of men.” The Quraysh leaders seized upon this description, spreading the rumor that the Prophet (PBUH) was a sorcerer who used his words to enchant and deceive people.