The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA'IL IBN KATHiR 33
God having provided the Messenger of God (SAAS) with protection against
Quraysh through the aid of his uncle and his relatives of the Banii Hashim and
the Bans 'Abd al-Muywlib, Quraysh were unable to treat him with the violence
they wished. Consequently they set about mocking, ridiculing him and disputing
with him.
The Qur'an then began coming down concerning the evil deeds of Quraysh
and those who had declared themselves to be his enemies.
Some of these were mentioned by name to us, while others were inferred
among those polytheists to whom general reference was made.
Ibn Ishaq mentions Abii Lahab and the revelation of a chapter concerning
him; also, he referred to Umayya b. Khalaf and the revelation of the words of the
Almighty, "Woe to every defaming slanderer!" (sarat al-Humaza; CIV, v.1).
The whole sayat refers to the latter man.
Also there was reference to al-cA~ b. Wa'il in the revelation, "And have you
then seen him who disbelieved in our signs and who said, 'Certainly I will he
awarded wealth and children'" (snrat Maryam; XIX, v.77). Some part of this has
been quoted previously.
And then there was Aba Jahl h. Hisham and his saying to the Prophet of God
(SAAS), "You had better stop insulting our gods, or we will insult your God
whom you worship." Regardmg this, God's revelation came: "Do not insult those
whom they worship besides God, for they, in enmity and without knowledge,
will insult God" (sorat al-Ancam; VI, v.108).
Also, there was al-Nadr b. al-Hiwith b. Kalada b. 'Alqarna, or 'Alqarna b.
Kalada according to al-Suhayli and others, who used to sit down after the
Prophet of God (SAAS) had finished one of his sessions in which he would recite
the Qur'an and pray to God. AI-Nadr would then narrate tales of Rustum
and Isfandiyzr and the wars between them in ancient Persia. Then he would
comment, "I swear by God, Muhammad is no better a story-teller than me. His
talk is only of ancient legends from which he borrows, just as I do."
And so God Almighty sent down: "And they say: 'These are only legends of
the Ancients that he has borrowed; they are dictated to him morning and
evening"' (swat al-Furqan; XXV, v.5). And also: "Woe to every sinful liar"
(sarat al-JZthlyya; XLV, v.7).
Ibn Ishaq stated, "One day, so we have been told, the Messenger of God (SAAS)
sat down in the mosque with al-Walid b. d-Mughira. Al-Nadr b. al-Hzith came
over and sat with them; also present were several men of Quraysh.
"The Messenger of God (SAAS) spoke, but al-Nadr argued with him. The
Messenger of God (SAAS) then addressed al-Nadr and ultimately silenced him.
Having done so, he then recited to them all, 'You, along with that which you
worship besides God, are the firewood for hell; you are on your way there. Were
these gods they would not be ending up there; and all there will remain therein
forever. Therein wailing is their lot, and therein they hear not' (snrat al-Anhiyri';
XXI, v.98-100).