Islam’s Early Mission: A Revolution Built on Contradictions and Coercion

Introduction: The Myth of Peaceful Beginnings

Islam’s early mission is often portrayed as a story of quiet perseverance, spiritual resilience, and peaceful preaching. From the secluded gatherings in the house of al-Arqam to the humble faith of the first converts, the narrative suggests a message of mercy and justice, rejected only because it threatened the powerful Quraysh elite. But a closer look reveals a very different picture — a mission that began with secrecy, grew through coercion, and escalated into open conflict.

This critical analysis will strip away the romanticized version of Islam’s early years and reveal the harsh realities beneath the surface. We will explore the contradictions in Muhammad’s early revelations, the coercive nature of his message, the tactical use of violence and persecution, and the political ambitions that drove the movement from the beginning.

1. The First Revelation: A Disturbing Encounter, Not Divine Inspiration

Islamic Narrative: Muhammad receives the first revelation in the Cave of Hira, where the angel Jibril (Gabriel) commands him to "Read!" (Iqra'). Shaken and fearful, Muhammad is comforted by his wife Khadijah and her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who confirms that this was a divine encounter.

Critical Analysis: A Psychological Crisis, Not a Prophetic Calling

The traditional account describes Muhammad as terrified, fearing he had been possessed or cursed:
- He returns to Khadijah "trembling" and asks to be covered.
- This is not the reaction of a confident prophet receiving divine truth but of a man experiencing a psychological crisis.
Waraqah ibn Nawfal, who was a Christian heretic with Gnostic beliefs, assures Muhammad that this was the same angel who appeared to Moses. But this is a claim, not a fact — Waraqah’s interpretation cannot be considered divine validation.
The “angel” does not deliver a coherent message but instead violently seizes Muhammad, pressing him and commanding him to "Read!" (an impossible command for an illiterate man). This is more consistent with a traumatic hallucination than divine revelation.

2. The Secret Mission: Faith or Fear?

Islamic Narrative: For three years, Muhammad’s mission is conducted in secret. He invites only those closest to him — family and trusted friends.
The Reality: This period of secrecy raises serious questions:
- Why would a divine mission, meant for all humanity, begin with covert preaching?
- The message of Islam is not declared openly, but is whispered in the shadows.
- The claim of secrecy also suggests a lack of conviction — a hesitation to confront the public with this supposed divine truth.

The First Converts: Persuasion or Manipulation?

Muhammad’s earliest converts were those within his household and immediate circle:
- Khadijah – his wife, who naturally supported her husband.
- Ali ibn Abi Talib – a child, raised in Muhammad’s home, susceptible to influence.
- Zayd ibn Harithah – Muhammad’s adopted son, who had a personal bond of loyalty.
- Abu Bakr – a close friend and merchant who later became the key political figure in Islam.
These are not the signs of a spiritual revolution, but of a family cult — a small group bound by personal loyalty rather than conviction.

3. The Message of Tawhid: A Declaration of War on Meccan Society

Islamic Narrative: Muhammad’s message of Tawhid (monotheism) is a call to worship the one true God (Allah) and abandon all idols.
The Reality: Tawhid was not just a spiritual message — it was an attack on the entire Meccan social, economic, and religious system:
- Mecca’s economy depended on the pilgrimage trade, with the Kaaba as a center of idol worship.
- By declaring these idols false, Muhammad was threatening the economic and political power of the Quraysh elite.
- Islam did not offer a spiritual alternative — it demanded total submission and the destruction of existing religious practices.

A Message of Coercion, Not Choice

Muhammad’s approach was not a call to peaceful dialogue but an ultimatum:
- "Accept Islam, or you are an idolater, destined for hell."
- The early Quranic verses were not just theological, but openly hostile:
  - “Woe to every slanderer and backbiter.” (Surah Al-Humazah 104:1)
  - “Have you seen the one who denies the Judgment? That is the one who repels the orphan and does not encourage the feeding of the poor.” (Surah Al-Ma’un 107:1-3)
The Quran directly attacked the Quraysh leaders, labeling them as oppressors and deceivers.

4. Public Preaching: The Rise of Conflict, Not Compassion

Islamic Narrative: Muhammad’s public preaching begins with a dramatic declaration from Mount Safa, where he warns the Quraysh of divine punishment. His message is met with scorn, but he remains steadfast.
The Reality: This event marks the beginning of open conflict:
- Muhammad’s own uncle, Abu Lahab, publicly rejects him — a rejection so severe that the Quran curses Abu Lahab and his wife (Surah Al-Masad 111).
- This is not the response of a loving, merciful prophet, but of an angry preacher who curses his own family for opposing him.

A Message of Division, Not Unity

Muhammad’s call to Islam was not a message of love or reconciliation, but one of division and loyalty:
- “He who dies without having fought, or having thought of fighting, dies on a branch of hypocrisy.” (Sahih Muslim 1910)
- Loyalty to Muhammad became the ultimate test of faith, even above family or tribe.
The Quran demands total submission to Muhammad, equating obedience to him with obedience to Allah (Surah An-Nisa 4:80).

5. The Beginning of Persecution: Victims or Aggressors?

Islamic Narrative: The Quraysh respond to Muhammad’s preaching with brutal persecution of the early Muslims. Figures like Bilal, Sumayyah, and Yasir become martyrs for the faith.
The Reality: The conflict between Muhammad and the Quraysh was not one-sided:
- Muhammad’s message was a direct threat to the social, economic, and religious order of Mecca.
- He not only condemned the Quraysh but also declared their ancestors to be in hell, an open insult to tribal honor.
- The Quran contains numerous verses cursing and condemning those who opposed Muhammad (Surah Al-Masad 111, Surah Al-Humazah 104).

Violence: Justified by Revelation

The Quran begins to shift from peaceful calls to open threats:
- “And slay them wherever you find them…” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:191)
- “Fight those who do not believe in Allah…” (Surah At-Tawbah 9:29)
Islam was not merely a spiritual message but a political movement, preparing for armed conflict from the beginning.

6. The Role of the Quran: Manipulation Through Revelation

The Quran is presented as a divine message of comfort and guidance, but a closer look reveals:
- Verses are revealed on demand, providing Muhammad with divine support in every crisis.
- Those who oppose Muhammad are cursed and condemned to hell.
- The Quran becomes a tool of psychological control:
  - Loyalty to Muhammad is equated with loyalty to Allah.
  - Rejection of Muhammad is treated as a sin against God.

7. Conclusion: The Myth of a Peaceful Mission

The early mission of Islam was not a message of peace but a declaration of ideological and political warfare:

It began with secrecy and manipulation, spread through coercion, and escalated into open conflict.
Muhammad’s message was not a spiritual invitation but a demand for submission.
The Quran served as a weapon — cursing enemies, justifying violence, and consolidating power for Muhammad.

A Challenge to the Reader: Will You Question the Narrative?

Islam’s early mission is often portrayed as a story of peaceful perseverance, but the reality is far darker. Will you continue to accept the sanitized version, or will you dare to question it?

Will you examine the Quran’s violent verses, the coercive nature of Muhammad’s preaching, and the brutal conflict that followed? Will you choose truth over tradition?

Exposing Islam

Monday, May 19, 2025