Persecution begins (5)

Suhayb bin Sinin Rumi was another Muslim who was tortured to the extent that he lost control over what he said, and babbled anything his tormentors had him utter.

In the eyes of the Quraysh, slaves who became Muslim were rebels to be tortured to death. Their low social status left them vulnerable to all kinds of abuse. Nevertheless, not even wealth or social standing guaranteed complete immunity to anyone who became Muslim. Uthman bin Affan was a well-to-do person in the community, but he too was tortured in various ways. Once his uncle wrapped him up tightly in a mat and burned incense from below.

Abu Bakr and Talha bin Ubaydullah were also harrassed. Naufal bin Khuwaylid, and it is said, Uthman bin Ubaydullah, trussed both of them with the same rope so that they could not pray and practice their new faith. However, both Abu Bakr and Talha were found praying, the rope having been mysteriously untied. Since both of them had been fastened with the same rope, they came to be called Qarayn, which means “joined together.”

Abu Jahl, who is referred to several times in the Qur’an for his implacable hatred of Islam and his arrogance, was one of the prominent Makkans who had made it his mission to fight Islam and its followers. His hate and ire grew every time he heard of someone becoming Muslim. If the new Muslim held a high position in society, Abu Jahl would rebuke him and threaten him with the loss of his property and honour. If someone from a lower station accepted Islam, Abu Jahl would beat him severely and incite others to do the same. As a general policy, the polytheists persecuted any new Muslim, often to the point of death, especially if the new convert belonged to a weaker section of tribal society. If, however, they saw a prominent person accept Islam, the proceeded more cautiously, as only polytheists of the same social status could challenge the convert.