610-612 C.E.
Muhammad slowly began to attract some followers. Muhammad began to criticize the traditional polytheism of his Meccan town. The rich and powerful merchants of Mecca grew angry because the gods and idols are their source of income. The merchants earned income from pilgrims to its polytheistic shrine, the Kaaba. If there was only one God and polytheism did not exist as Muhammad preached, they would lose pilgrims and thus lose lots of money. The ruling elite rallied against Muhammad and his followers, and began to persecute them.
Muhammad slowly began to attract some followers. Muhammad began to criticize the traditional polytheism of his Meccan town. The rich and powerful merchants of Mecca grew angry because the gods and idols are their source of income. The merchants earned income from pilgrims to its polytheistic shrine, the Kaaba. If there was only one God and polytheism did not exist as Muhammad preached, they would lose pilgrims and thus lose lots of money. The ruling elite rallied against Muhammad and his followers, and began to persecute them.