Argument and quibbling (7)

Besides insisting on the wisdom of their polytheistic forefathers, the polytheists acccused the Prophet and the Muslims of disrespect to their gods and threatened them with the wrath of these false dieties.

“We say that some of our gods have inflicted you with madness!” (11. 54).

In answer to these weak threats, Allah reminds the idolators of the absolute powerlessness of their gods. Motionless, mute and defenseless, how could these effigies harm the Muslims or destroy them?

“Have they feet to walk with? Hands to grasp with? Eyes to see with? Ears to hear with? Say: Call upon those you claim to be Allah’s partners and then plot against Me, and give me no respite!” (7: 195).

Allah sets forth a parable, saying: “O people! A parable will be set before you, so listen to it carefully. Those whom you call upon and pray to besides Allah cannot create even a fly, even if they all gathered for this purpose. And if a fly should snatch anything from them, they would not be able to recover what the fly had taken from them. How feeble is the petitioner! How feeble the petitioned!” (22: 73).

Some of the Muslims, tired of the insults of their faith, derided the helplessness of the pagan gods, as in this taunt about an idol that could not defend itself against animal excrement: “A god that lets foxes urinate over its head is certainly weak and base.”

Incensed, the polytheists heaped abuse on the Muslims as well as their Lord. The degeneration of a profound spiritual conflict into purile name-calling was stopped when Allah forbade the Muslims to indulge in petty slurs, saying: “Do not insult those who worship false gods lest they ignorantly insult Allah in return.” (6: 108).

As we have seen, every argument forwarded by the polytheists was refuted by Allah himself, while His Prophet besides insisting on the wisdom of their polytheistic forefathers, the polytheists acccused the Prophet went about preaching his message undeterred by their ridicule and abuse.

Realising the futility of verbal debates and disputes, the polytheists considered using force against Islam to deter people from the path of Allah. The notables and chieftians of each tribe began to ill-treat the Muslims among them, and a delegation of theirs approached Abu Talib. They demanded that he stop the Prophet from preaching.

Persecution had begun in earnest, and several Muslim lives would be lost to the wrath of the Quraysh. Torture, exile and poverty were what the Quraysh promised, while Paradise and Allah’s Grace were the rewards promised by Allah and His Prophet . Was it surprising that despite physical limitations, the early Muslims chose to trade their earthly lots for the Hereafter?