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The persecution of the first Muslims of Mecca: each tribe of Quraysh tortured its weak Companions, the protection of Prophet Muhammad by Abu Talib and the Banu Hashim, Abu Lahab excepted, from Ibn Ishaq.
In Mecca, Quraysh conspired against the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) scattered among the tribes: each tribe set upon the Muslims it counted among its own, torturing them to turn them from their religion. The Prophet, for his part, was protected by his uncle Abu Talib, who called the Banu Hashim and the Banu al-Muttalib to stand before him: they answered his call, except Abu Lahab. The latter, while praising his people, urged them in verse to persevere in supporting the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), from Ibn Ishaq.
Updated on 07 October 2026 at 9:23 AM
Ibn Ishaq said: Quraysh then conspired against the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) scattered among the tribes, those who had embraced Islam with him. Each tribe set upon the Muslims it counted among its own: it tortured them and sought to turn them from their religion. As for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Allah protected him through his uncle Abu Talib.
Abu Talib rose when Quraysh set upon the Banu Hashim and the Banu al-Muttalib: he called them to protect the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and to stand before him. They rallied to him and answered his call, except Abu Lahab, the enemy of Allah. He, while praising them and urging them to persevere in supporting the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), said in verse:
“The day Quraysh gathers for its glory, ... Abd Manaf is its secret and its marrow; if its nobles are singled out, ... the nobles of Hashim are its nobles and its elders; if it ever boasts, Muhammad is ... the chosen one of its secret and its most generous.”