Mushrikites

TheMushrikites(Arabic:الْمُشْرِكِين,romanized:al-MushrikīnorArabic:الْمُشْرِكُون,romanized:al-Mushrikūn,singularArabic:مُشْرِك,romanized:mushrik) were the Arab polytheists who committedshirkand opposed the Islamic prophetMuhammadand his followers, theMuslims,in the early 7th century. Their leaders were mostly from theQuraysh,but others also belonged to theQays.

TheKaaba(pictured c. 2018) was a prominent site for the Mushrikites

After Muhammad's declaration of prophethood, the Mushrikites harassed members of the nascent Muslim community and were led byAmr ibn Hisham( "Abu Jahl" ). Following the increase of tensions between the Mushrik and the Muslims, Muhammad and his companions (ṣaḥāba) migrated to the neighboring city ofMedina,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 theBattle of Badrin 624, resulting in a defeat.

Etymology

The word Mushrikites is the English term derived from the ArabicMushrikūn,which itself is derived fromshirk.The term is sometimes translated as 'polytheists' as well. The Meccan polytheists who opposed Islam, were the initially the ones to be referred to as the Mushrikites.

Bibliography

• Donner, Fred M.,ed. (1993).The History of al-Ṭabarī, Volume X: The Conquest of Arabia, A.D. 632–633/A.H. 11.SUNY Series in Near Eastern Studies. Albany, New York: State University of New York Press.ISBN978-0-7914-1071-4.
• Watt, W. Montgomery(1960)."Abū Sufyān".InGibb, H. A. R.;Kramers, J. H.;Lévi-Provençal, E.;Schacht, J.;Lewis, B.&Pellat, Ch.(eds.).The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition.Volume I:A–B.Leiden: E. J. Brill. p. 151.OCLC495469456.
• Watt, Montgomery William(1961).Muhammad: Prophet and Statesman.London: Oxford University Press.ISBN9780198810780.