Mushrikites
7th-century Arab polytheists who fought early Muslims
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The Mushrikites (Arabic: الْمُشْرِكِين, romanized: al-Mushrikīn or Arabic: الْمُشْرِكُون, romanized: al-Mushrikūn, singular Arabic: مُشْرِك, romanized: mushrik) were the Arab polytheists that opposed the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers, the Muslims, in the early 7th century. Their leaders were mostly from the Quraysh, but others also belonged to the Qays.
After Muhammad's declaration of prophethood, the Mushrikites harassed members of the nascent Muslim community and were led by Amr ibn "Abu Jahl" Hisham. Following the increase of tensions between the Mushrikites and the Muslims, Muhammad and his companions (ṣaḥāba) migrated to the neighboring city of Medina, where the Islamic prophet was offered sovereignty over the city. An Islamic state was formed in Medina, which received vehement opposition from the Mushrikites, and subsequently, both parties fought at the Battle of Badr in 624, resulting in a defeat.
The Quran states in Surah Yunus on the Mushrikites:
"...and, be steadfast in faith in all uprightness, and do not be one of the polytheists [Mushrikites], and do not invoke, instead of Allah, what can neither benefit nor harm you—for if you do, then you will certainly be one of the wrongdoers, and If Allah touches you with harm, none can undo it except Him. And if He intends good for you, none can withhold His bounty. He grants it to whoever He wills of His servants. And He is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful."[1]
