The Offers of the Quraish to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)

In the beginning days of Islam, most of the people of Makkah Mukarramah would worship idols. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would go to the people, speak to them and invite them to Islam. He would tell them that they should worship Allah Ta‘ala alone, as Allah Ta‘ala alone is their Creator, and He alone has all power and control over everything.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would explain to them that idols are just pieces of wood or stone which they have carved, and they cannot help or even harm any person. Therefore, it is foolish for a person to worship an idol.

Many people would listen to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), accept his invitation and become Muslims. This made the people of the Quraish clan angry and upset. Most of the Quraish were idol worshippers. They wanted people to worship idols, and did not want people to worship Allah Ta‘ala. They wanted Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to stop inviting people to Islam, and to stop speaking bad about their idols.

However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not worry about the Quraish. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was only worried about making Allah Ta‘ala happy and doing what Allah Ta‘ala wants. He continued inviting to Islam, and continued to tell the people that worshipping idols is wrong and foolish, and that people should only worship Allah Ta‘ala alone.

When the Quraish saw that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was still inviting to Allah Ta‘ala and speaking against their idols, then they came to him and said the following to him:

“O Muhammed! We want you to stop speaking against our idols and telling people that worshipping idols is foolish. If you stop this, then we will give you so much of money that you will be the richest man in the whole city of Makkah Mukarramah, and we will even make you our leader!”

“If you don’t agree to this, then why don’t we take turns to worship the idols as well as Allah Ta‘ala? We will all worship Allah Ta‘ala for one year, and then the next year, we will all worship the idols. In this way, we can all be friends, we can all live together happily, and we can all worship in the same way!”

They also told Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “Just to make us happy, at least take your hand and pass it over our idols to show that you don’t have any problem with our idols and the way of our worship!”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was not interested in the money the Quraish were offering him, and he was not interested in becoming the leader. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was only interested in listening to Allah Ta‘ala and obeying Him. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) only wanted to make Allah Ta‘ala happy, and he was not worried about making the Quraish happy.

It was at this time that Allah Ta‘ala revealed Surah Kaafiroon, and in this Surah, Allah Ta‘ala explained to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) what he should do. In this Surah, Allah Ta‘ala commands Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Muslims that we must never mix Islam with other religions, show honour or importance to other religions or take part in their prayers and religious practices.

The reason is that Islam is the only religion that is accepted by Allah Ta‘ala and will take a person to Jannah. Following any other religion will take a person to Jahannum.

Following the command of Allah Ta‘ala, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not accept any of the suggestions that the Quraish made, and he continued to tell people that Islam is the only religion that will take a person to Jannah, and that idol worshippers will go to Jahannum.

From this, we learn that a Muslim must never show any importance to other religions, their prayers, signs and practices. Similarly, a Muslim must never take part in their prayers or join them in their practices.

If the non-Muslims are praying, singing hymns, reading from the bible, or speaking about their religion, then a Muslim must not be there or listen to them. A Muslim must not go to a church or a temple, and if Christians have put up a cross or Hindus have put up an idol somewhere, then a Muslim must stay far away from it. A Muslim must always learn more about Islam and the Sunnah – he must not study and learn about other religions, as all other religions are not accepted by Allah Ta‘ala.

If we all protect our imaan, by staying far away from the non-Muslims and their religions, then Allah Ta‘ala will be happy with us and will enter us into Jannah.