اشتداد الاضطهاد
Intensification of Persecution
9-7 BH (613-615 CE)
Makkah مكة المكرمة
As the public call to Islam grew, the Quraysh intensified their persecution of Muslims. Bilal ibn Rabah was tortured by his master Umayyah ibn Khalaf, placed on burning sand with heavy stones on his chest, yet he continued saying 'Ahad! Ahad!' (One! One!). The family of Yasir — Yasir, Sumayyah, and their son Ammar — were severely tortured. Abu Bakr purchased and freed Bilal and several other enslaved Muslims.
Why this matters
The persecution revealed the depth of faith in these early believers and their willingness to suffer for the truth. Sumayyah bint Khayyat became the first martyr in Islam, killed by Abu Jahl with a spear. The Prophet ﷺ, witnessing their suffering, could only say: 'Be patient, O family of Yasir, for your appointment is Paradise.'
Quran references
ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُوا۟ ثُمَّ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ وَصَبَرُوٓا۟ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
Surah An-Nahl, 110
Then your Lord — for those who emigrated after being put to trial, then strove and were patient — your Lord after that is indeed Forgiving, Merciful.
Hadith references
Reported in various sources
Narrated by: Multiple narrators
“The Prophet ﷺ passed by the family of Yasir while they were being tortured and said: 'Be patient, O family of Yasir, for your appointment is Paradise.'”