The Example of the Prophet

The Example of the Prophet calling them foolish and insulting their idols. After going on in this vein, they told the Prophet that he should desist from what he was doing, in return for which the Quraysh were ready to give him whatever he wanted. The Quraysh would even concede to making him their ruler if he wanted that. (Sirah Ibn Ishaq, Vol. 1, p. 207) The Prophet did not accept this offer of the Quraysh and, instead, continued with his missionary efforts. Later, when he shifted to Madinah, he established a city-state. Now, the question arises as to why the Prophet did not accept the offer of heading the government earlier, in Makkah, which the Quraysh had made to him, while he established a city-state fifteen years later, in Madinah? Why didn’t he establish this state in Makkah fifteen years earlier? This is because establishing an Islamic government is not for any Islamic personality, using any means whatsoever, to occupy the seat of governance. The establishment of any regime is very closely linked to the prevailing external conditions. In the case of establishing an Islamic polity, there must already be a society whose members have become receptive to Islam and where the political factors necessary for the stability of such a regime are present.