A - ''To what extent was there a possibility of the failure of the Islamic religion in Mecca?''
A - Would have failed due ignorant close minded people
There were far too many ignorant and close minded people, who didn’t want to move away from their pagan, idol beliefs.
B
For example many Makkan’s would call the Quran ‘‘poetry from a madman’’ and would criticise the other Makkan’s who complimented the Quran.
Evidently shows the Islamic religion would have struggled to become successful in a place where there isn’t any desire for change.
C - Would have succeeded because Allah would have ensured its success
Allah sent down the pure word of God and would have ensured its success no matter what happened, and even if it stayed in Makkah.
B
The Quran states, ‘‘It is We who sent the Quran and it is We who will be its guardian.’’
Clearly shows divine guidance, authority and protection of the Islamic religion meaning it would not have failed during Makkan persecution as God wouldn’t allow it to.
C - However, it would have failed due to too much hostility
There was too much hostility from Makkan’s.
Leaders felt their popularity was decreasing and that Muhammad was a challenge to their ways and began to persecute him.
B
Assassination attempts, mockery, insults, humiliation.
Some of his followers were tortured and killed - it got so bad to the point he sent 83 Muslims & their families to flee to Abyssinia/Ethiopia
Even faced sanctions, no business/trade, no marriage with the supporters of Muhammad and for people to support the opponents of Muhammad.
This all shows it would be impossible for Islam to succeed in Mecca because of the hostility and hatred.
D - Would have failed
Because there was no room to properly preach and flourish in Mecca.
Muhammad and the belief of Islam was not tolerated.
A - Would have failed as only the powerful people + beliefs flourished
Islam could have easily failed during Makkan persecution because Makkah was a society where only the powerful people and beliefs flourished.
Even if people began to accept the beliefs of Islam it would have been extremely difficult to establish a Mosque, ummah etc.
B
Due to a focus on ‘‘no law except the law of the strongest.’’ - Mawdudi
Signifies that Islam would have failed because polytheism, paganism would have been much stronger due to the wealth they brang to the country and the prevalence.
And Islam would have boiled down to nothing.
C - Would have succeeded due to Muhammad’s already established reputation
The Islamic religion would have succeeded during the persecution due to Muhammad’s already established reputation.
Muhammad had an extremely positive reputation and was regarded well by everyone.
B
For example he was known as the truthful and trustworthy one / ‘as-Sadiq al-Amin’
This reputation was well known by the Meccans - they would believe him as they wouldn’t expect him to lie or make things up.
Evidently showing the Islamic religion wouldn’t have easily failed because of this benefit.
D - Would have succeeded
Because due to his reputation he would possibly be able to develop a supporting network despite societies ways.
A - Would have failed as pre-Islamic Arabi/Jahiliya was a society that had no morals
The Islamic religion would have easily failed during Makkan persecution because pre-Islamic Arabia/Jahiliya was a society that had no morals.
Meaning the teachings of Islam would be a foreign concept to them and wouldn’t be something they would want to embrance.
B
For example, ‘‘they revelled in adultery and gambling’’ which are both concepts prohibited in Islam.
Therefore there is certainly no way these people who were extremely ignorant (Jahiliya literally translates to ‘age of ignorance.’) would allow Islam to be successful.
C - However it would have succeeded as Pre-Islamic Arabia was ready this change.
Pre-Islamic Arabia was ready for a change, especially as civilisation was ‘primitive’ - the only solution was Islam.
Even though Islam went against everything they were socialised to do, the divine, spiritual need of the change would have ensured its success anyway.
B
‘‘Before accepting Islam you were on the brink of an abyss of fire. He saved you through Islam.’’
This shows that Islam’s success was a part of Gods plan no matter where - and Mecca needed to be ‘saved’.
D - Would have succeeded
Divine guidance and protection would have allowed Islam to succeed in Mecca.