To what extent was there a possibility of the failure of the Islamic religion in Mecca?

- The possibility of the failure of the Islamic religion in Makkah

AB - Would have failed due to multi beliefs + ignorance

There were multiple beliefs and would have made it impossible to have one standard monotheistic belief.
And the ignorance of the people of Mecca would mean they lack the level of understanding required to accept Islam.
They would persecute Muhammad by insulting him and calling him a magician, liar, insane.

C - Would have succeeded because a lot happened in Mecca/significance

Muhammad was born in Mecca, born into Pre-Islamic Arabia.
The night of power happened in Mecca.
This shows Mecca has significance:
These facts show there was a reason why the message of Islam came to Mecca and God would have ensured its success.

C - 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.
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

AB - Would have succeeded as Muhammad managed to get some followers in Mecca

Muhammad managed to get true followers in Mecca - even people who weren’t originally Hanif’s
Islam and the Quran were convincing to the wise people - some of the wise men would be astounded at the language of the Quran:
‘‘It is an outstanding narration, and no other narration is as outstanding as this.’’
This suggests that with time and education Islam would have flourished as knowledge is power.

C - Would have failed as it would have been difficult to establish a Mosque, ummah etc.

Even if people began to accept the beliefs of Islam it would have been extremely difficult to establish a Mosque, ummah etc.
Due to a focus in society on ‘‘no law except the law of the strongest.’’ - Mawdudi
Islam would have failed in Mecca if a foundation and established community for the religion couldn’t have been built.

C - Would have succeeded due to Muhammad’s character

Muhammad was known as the truthful and trustworthy one / ‘as-Sadiq al-Amin’
His trustworthy nature contributed to the success of Islam
This reputation was well known by the Meccans - they would believe him as they wouldn’t expect him to lie or make things up.

D - Would have succeeded

Would have succeeded because
With time the Islamic religion would have been able to gain more followers especially due to the positive nature of Muhammad.

AB - Would have failed due to no protection + support

Abu Talib did not accept Islam - He was his protector.
After his death Muhammad had no protection, would inevitability lead to the failure of Islam if Muhammad remained in Mecca.
And due to Khadija’s death Muhammad also lost his emotional support.
Muhammad was unstable in all aspects in Mecca and it would lead to failure.

C - Would have succeeded as Pre-Islamic Arabia was ready for a change.

Pre-Islamic Arabis was ready for a change, especially as civilisation was ‘primitive’ - the only solution was Islam.
‘‘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