When the Quraish observed that in spite of their strong opposition, Islam was spreading fast, they became furious and started a cruel campaign to stop the message of Islam. It was a difficult period for the Muslims, however they remained steadfast. They were confident of Allah’s help and were convinced that this period of trial would end soon and that Islam would triumph in the end. God repeatedly consoled the Holy Prophet (sas) through revelation, which enhanced the faith of every Muslim.
The slaves were possibly the worst affected group. Their masters used to inflict unbearable torments upon them in vain attempt to force them to renounce Islam. Here are some examples.
Bilal (ra) was a slave, who had accepted Islam. His master Umayyah bin Khalf used to lead him out of the town and make him lie down on his bare back, exposed to the blazing heat of the sun. Enormous stones were then heaped on his chest. Sometimes he was dragged through the stony streets of Makkah. Umayyah would then tell him to give up his religion and sing praise of the Makkan gods, Laat and ‘Uzzaa instead.
In spite of all this torture, Umayyah could not force Bilal (ra) to renounce Islam. He would say, ‘Ahad! Ahad!’ Ahad means one. Thus Hazrat Bilal (ra) would go on declaring that God is one.
‘Ammaar (ra) was another slave. He was often beaten up cruelly and asked to renounce Islam. His father Yaasir (ra) and his mother Samiyyah (ra) were tortured too. On one such occasion the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, happened to pass by. He was very sad to see them suffering and said, ‘Family of Yaasir! Bear up with patience, as your final resort is paradise.’
Soon after Hazrat Yaasir (ra) died because of the wounds and sometime later Abu Jahl murdered his wife Hazrat Samiyyah (ra) with a spear. Zinnirah (ra) was a female slave. Abu Jahl beat her so cruelly that she lost her eyesight.
Other slaves were mishandled in similar ways. The Holy Prophet (sas), Hazrat Khadijah (ra) and other Muslims were naturally very sad to see their fellow Muslims tortured.
The free citizens who accepted Islam were not less cruelly treated. Their elders and chiefs tormented them in different ways.
Hazrat Khadijah’s (ra) nephew, Zubair (ra) bin ‘Awwaam, a brave young man, who later became a great Muslim General, was often wrapped up in a mat by his uncle. Smoke was then passed through the mat in order to torture him by suffocation. He endured the torture patiently and continued to affirm that, having recognised the truth, he would not denounce it.
The Holy Prophet (sas) was not spared either. The Quraish incited the mischievous people among them to molest the Holy Prophet (sas) in every possible way. Sometimes when he went out in the street, his opponents used to hurl abuse at him and rubbish was thrown at him.
His neighbours threw stones into his house, scattered thorns outside his door and put foul smelling substances inside the walls of his dwelling.
In spite of all this Hazrat Khadijah (ra) and the Holy Prophet (sas) remained very patient.
On one occasion when he was engaged in Prayer near the Ka‘bah, Uqbah bin Abi Mu‘eet, a bitter enemy of Islam, came and winding a piece of cloth around the neck of the Holy Prophet (sas) tightened it so hard that it was difficult for the Holy Prophet (sas) to breathe. When Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) came to know of this, he rushed to the spot and rescued him saying; ‘Would you kill a person who says that Allah is his Lord?’
Hazrat Khadijah’s (ra) family showed great bravery and nobility in supporting the Holy Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Hazrat Khadijah’s (ra) son, Haarith (ra) by her first husband Abu Haallah, gave his life in defending the Holy Prophet (sas).
It is related that when the Holy Prophet (sas) was commanded by Allah to preach openly, he went to the Ka‘bah and addressing the people present there said, ‘Declare: ‘There is none worthy of worship except Allah’ and you will be successful.’
The Quraish who were present there were much offended and rose to attack the Holy Prophet (sas). When Haarith (ra) came to know of this, he rushed to the place in order to protect the Holy Prophet (sas), and fought bravely with the attackers. Someone, from among the Quraish, drew his sword and killed Haarith (ra) on the spot. He was thus martyred for the sake of Islam. Hazrat Khadijah (ra) was naturally very grieved at the death of her son but she resigned herself to the Will of God.
The lives of the Muslims in Makkah were becoming more and more difficult day by day. The situation was rapidly deteriorating. The Holy Prophet (sas) advised the community to migrate to Abyssinia. The first batch of these immigrants included, among others, Zubair (ra) bin ‘Awwaam, Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (ra) and his wife Hazrat Ruqayyah (ra). Hazrat Khadijah (ra) was very sad to see her daughter; son-in-law and her nephew leave Makkah in order to take refuge elsewhere.
One can imagine the distress which persecution had caused to the noble wife of the Holy Prophet (sas), Hazrat Khadijah (ra). She was grieved to see the cruel treatment of the people of Makkah for the Holy Prophet (sas) and his followers. In spite of all this she remained very patient, comforted her husband and her family as well as other believers who were going through this difficult period.
Sometimes the Holy Prophet (sas) would come home very sad and disappointed at the rejection of his claim by the people of Makkah. Hazrat Khadijah (ra) would listen to him and try to cheer him up by reassuring him and supporting him.
She was an extremely intelligent woman. She had strong faith in Allah’s help and was convinced that eventually the people would accept the message of Islam.