When the prophets performed miracles...

When the prophets performed miracles, they slandered them by calling them magicians and tricksters (refer to al-Dhāriyāt:39,52-53, al-Anbiyā’:3, al- Qamar:2); they also described the Divine messages as being myths and imaginary tales (refer to al-An’ām:25, al-Anfāl:31, al-Nahl:24, al-Mu’minūn:83, al-Furqān:5, al-Naml:68, al-Ahqāf:17, al-Qalam:15, al-Mutaffifīn:14).

Dispute and chicanery The leaders of the unbelievers would prohibit people from listening to the prophets when they warned them of the results of disbelief and rebellion against God, and the benefits and rewards of following the true way, even though they used reason and wisdom in their speeches.

Such infidels would then employ weak and ridiculous arguments, covered in beautiful words in an attempt to deceive the public and prevent them from obeying the prophets (refer to Nūh:7, Fussilat:26, al- An’ām:112,121, Ghāfir:5,35, al-A’rāf:70-71, al-Kahf:56). In so doing, they frequently mentioned their ancestors’ way of life (refer to al-Baqarah:170, al- Māi’dah:104, al A’rāf:28, al-Anbiyā’:53, Yūnus:78, Luqmān:21) and always proudly referred to their wealth and worldly progress.

They also referred to the worldly weaknesses and backwardness of the prophets’ followers, as an indicator of their false beliefs and behaviour (refer to Yūnus:88, Saba’:35, al-Qalam:14, Maryam:77, al- Muddaththir:12, al-Muzzammil:11, al-Ahqāf:11). In some cases they argued as to why God had not chosen his messengers from amongst the angels, and as to why had the prophets not been accompanied by angels.

They also argued as to why had God not provided the prophets with enough economical and financial support (refer to al- An’ām:7-9, al-Isrā’:90-95, al-Furqān:4-8). On some occasions, they went to the extent that they said: “We will believe (in God) provided that the revelation is exposed to us, or we see God and listen to His words directly” (refer to al- Baqarah:118, al-An’ām:124, al-Nisā’:153).

Threats and allurement Another method of opposition that is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an is that the various nations would threaten the prophets and their followers with torture, and drive them out of their town or country by trying to stone them to death or by other means of execution (refer to Ibrāhīm:13, Maryam:46, Hūd:91, Yāsīn:18, Ghāfir:26).

The infidels to the contrary, allured the people by spending vast quantities of money, in order to make them disobey the prophets (refer to al- Anfāl:36).