The Polytheists’ Demands

One of the polytheists said:

“You eat food just as we eat food, you walk through the markets just as we walk through them, and you fulfill the needs of life just as we do. So what right do you have to distinguish yourself by calling yourself a Prophet? And why was no angel sent down with you to confirm your claim?”

Regarding this, Allah Almighty revealed Verse 7 of Surah Al-Furqan:

Translation:

“And the disbelievers say, ‘What is the matter with this Messenger that he eats food and walks through the markets like us? Why has no angel been sent down with him to warn alongside him? Why has no treasure been given to him from the unseen, or why does he not have a garden from which he could eat?’ And these wrongdoers say to the believers, ‘You are only following a man who is under a spell.’”

Then, when they said that Allah Almighty was far too exalted to send a human being from among them as a Messenger, Allah Almighty revealed a verse from Surah Yunus:

Translation:

“Is it a wonder to the people of Makkah that We sent revelation to a man from among them, saying, ‘Warn all people against disobeying the commands of Allah, and give good news to those who believe that they will have a position of honor with their Lord’?”

After this, those people said to the Prophet ﷺ:

“Then cause pieces of the sky to fall upon us, just as you claim that your Lord can do whatever He wishes.

We have learned that the Rahman whom you mention is actually a man in Yamamah who teaches you these things.

By Allah, we will never believe in the Rahman.”

Here, by “Rahman,” they meant a Jewish soothsayer from Yamamah.

In response to this, Allah Almighty revealed Verse 30 of Surah Ar-Ra‘d:

Translation:

“Say, ‘He is my Sustainer and Protector. There is no one worthy of worship except Him. I have placed my trust in Him, and to Him is my return.’”

At that time, the Prophet ﷺ was overcome by grief and sorrow.

He deeply wished that those people would accept faith, but they did not. Therefore, he was saddened, and in this state he got up and left that place.

The polytheists made many other demands of this kind as well.

Sometimes they would say:

“Turn Mount Safa into gold and show us.”

At other times they would say:

“Climb to the heavens by means of a ladder and return with the angels.”

He came and said:

“O Muhammad ﷺ! Allah Almighty sends His greetings to you and says:

‘If you wish, Mount Safa can be turned into gold. Likewise, all their demands can also be fulfilled.

But even after this, if these people still do not believe, then a terrible punishment will descend upon them just as it descended upon the earlier nations—a punishment such as has never descended upon any nation before.

And if you do not wish this, then I will keep the door of mercy and repentance open for them.’”

Hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“O Lord Almighty! Keep the door of Your mercy and repentance open for them.”

In reality, the Prophet ﷺ knew that the demands of the Quraysh were based on ignorance, because they did not understand the wisdom behind the sending of Messengers.

The sending of Messengers is, in reality, a test for the creation, so that they may affirm the Messengers and worship their Lord Almighty.

If Allah Almighty were to remove all the veils and allow everyone to see everything with their own eyes, then there would no longer be any need for the sending of Prophets and Messengers, and believing in the unseen would have no meaning.

The polytheists of Makkah sent their men to two Jewish scholars.

These Jewish scholars lived in Madinah.

The two messengers met the Jewish scholars and said:

“We have come to you with a matter concerning us. There is an orphaned young man among us who claims that he is the Messenger of Allah.”

Hearing this, the Jewish scholars said:

“Describe his appearance to us.”

The messengers described the appearance of the Noble Prophet ﷺ.

Then they asked:

“Which people among you have followed him?”

They replied:

“People of the lower social ranks have followed him.”

The Jewish scholars then said:

“Go and ask him three questions. If he answers these three questions, then he is the Prophet of Allah. But if he cannot answer them, then understand that he is a liar.”