The Muslim’s journey from pre-Islamic ignorance to Islam

The pre-Islamic era’s defense of itself:

The pre-Islamic society did not misunderstand this call and its aims, nor was its meaning obscure to them. When the Prophet’s voice, peace and blessings be upon him, reached their ears, they realized that his call to believe in God alone was a direct blow to the heart of ignorance, a death knell for it. Ignorance rose up in defense of its heritage, fighting to the death to preserve it. It mobilized all its forces against the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and came with all its might: {And the chiefs among them went forth, saying, “Proceed and be patient over [the worship of] your gods. Indeed, this is a thing intended.”} Every pillar of this life and every foundation of ignorance found itself threatened and its very existence endangered. It was then that the historical accounts of persecution and torture unfolded. This was a sign of the Prophet’s success, peace and blessings be upon him, for he hit the nail on the head, struck a nerve, and pierced the heart of ignorance. At its core and in its killing, the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, remained steadfast in his call with a steadfastness that surpasses the firmness of the mountains. No harm could deter him, no plot could turn him away, and he did not pay attention to temptation. He said to his uncle: “O my uncle, if I were to place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, I would not abandon this matter until God makes it manifest or I perish in its pursuit.In the name of the new religion:The Messenger of God, peace and blessings be upon him, spent thirteen years calling to God alone, to faith in His message, and to the Last Day, with complete candor, without euphemism, without hinting, without softening, without yielding, without showing favoritism, and without flattering. He saw in this the cure for every ailment. The Quraysh rose up and cried out against him from every side, attacking him as one, and setting the land ablaze to separate him from their sons and brothers. Thus, faith becameWith him and with allegiance to him, only a sincere and earnest person would approach him.He considered his own life insignificant and resolved to brave the flames for His sake, even if it meant walking upon thorns. So, young men from Quraysh stepped forward, unmoved by youthful folly or worldly desires, their sole concern being the Hereafter and their ultimate goal Paradise. They heard a caller proclaiming faith: “Believe in your Lord!” The life of ignorance, in all its vastness, became unbearably constricting for them, their souls constricted, and their sleep uneasy, as if they were walking upon thorns. They realized that they had no choice but to believe in God and His Messenger, so they believed and advanced towards the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who was in their land, within their sight and hearing. It was a long and arduous journey due to the obstacles that Quraysh had placed between him and his people. They placed their hands in his, surrendering themselves and their souls to him, knowing their lives were in danger and certain of the trials and tribulations they would face. They heard the Quranic verse: {Alif, Lam, Mim. . Do people think that they will be left alone because they say, “We believe,” while they…} They will not be tested.  And We certainly tested those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful and He will surely make evident the liars. And they heard the words of God Almighty: {Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by hardship and suffering and were shaken until [even] the Messenger and those who believed with him said, “When is the help of Allah?” Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.} So the Quraysh did nothing but what they expected, and they She unleashed her quiver and fired every arrow at them, but all this only increased their confidence and steadfastness. They said, “This is what God and His Messenger promised us, and God and His Messenger have spoken the truth.” And it only increased them in faith and submission. This affliction and persecution in religion only increased their strength in their belief, their zeal for their religion, their hatred for disbelief and its people, and it ignited their emotions and purified their souls, so they became like cast gold and pure silver, and they emerged from every ordeal and affliction like a sword emerging after its sheath.Religious education:The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, nourishes their souls with the Quran, nurtures their spirits with faith, and humbles them before the Lord of the Worlds five times a day with purity of body, humility of heart, submission of body, and presence of mind. Thus, they increase daily in spiritual elevation, purity of heart, refinement of character, liberation from the dominion of materialism, resistance to desires, and inclination towards the Lord of the heavens and the earth. He guides them with patience in…Harm, beautiful forgiveness, and self-control; they were raised on the love of war as if they were born with the sword, and they are from a nation whose days are filled with war.