The Prophet in Makkah

THE PROPHET IN MAKKAH During his time in Makkah, the Prophet’s preaching was always conducted on an advanced intellectual level. It was dominated by the lofty literary standard set by the Quran. On the other hand, the Prophet’s opponents could offer only abuse and opprobrium in reply. Sensible people in Makkah could not help but conclude that Muhammad’s opponents had nothing concrete to offer to support their case. According to Ibn Jarir, some of the nobles of the Quraysh planned to call a meeting and talk to the Prophet. They intended “to place themselves above reproach as far as he was concerned” to assure him they had nothing to do with the base tactics followed by the Prophet’s direst enemies. The Aptitude of the Arabs Now we come to the factors that produce the reaction that Islamic preaching evokes. However untiring the efforts of the preacher, and no matter how accurately he presents the true message of Islam, it is more the disposition of his audience that determines whether his call is accepted. The character of the Arabs was a valuable factor contributing to their acceptance of Islam. They were human beings brought up in simple, natural surroundings. Despite their superficial ignorance and stubbornness, they retained the qualities of their environment. Thirty million square kilometres of desert, the hot, bare, rugged country in which they lived, was an ideal breeding ground for the