Table of Contents
Testing Faith in the Earliest Days
When the message of Islam first appeared in Makkah, those who believed were very few, weak in worldly power, and surrounded by a harsh and mocking society. In that fragile stage, a central concern was how to keep faith alive in hearts, how to deepen it, and how to prevent early believers from collapsing under pressure. The strengthening of faith in this period was not an abstract idea. It happened through specific words of the Quran, concrete actions of the Prophet ﷺ, and real experiences of trial and patience.
Allah says about the Quran itself as a means of firmness:
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْلَا نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقُرْآنُ جُمْلَةً وَٰحِدَةً كَذَٰلِكَ لِنُثَبِّتَ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَ
“And those who disbelieve say, ‘Why was the Quran not sent down to him all at once?’ It is so, that We may strengthen your heart thereby.”
(Surah Al-Furqan 25:32)
The early Makkan years are the clearest example of how Allah, His Book, and His Messenger ﷺ worked to make iman firm and rooted, not easily shaken by fear, loss, or social rejection.
The Role of the Makkan Revelations
The Quran revealed in Makkah had a distinct tone and priority. The believers were not yet a political community, nor did they have laws of war or governance. They needed hearts that knew Allah, trusted Him, and were ready to sacrifice for His sake. The Quran answered this need directly.
Makkan chapters focused on Allah’s Oneness, the reality of the Hereafter, the greatness of creation, and stories of earlier prophets. These revelations were short, powerful, rhythmic, and repeated the same core truths in different ways, so that faith would sink deeper and deeper into the heart.
Allah describes the effect of His words:
ٱللَّهُ نَزَّلَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْحَدِيثِ كِتَٰبًا مُّتَشَٰبِهًا مَّثَانِىَ تَقْشَعِرُّ مِنْهُ جُلُودُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ ثُمَّ تَلِينُ جُلُودُهُمْ وَقُلُوبُهُمْ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ
“Allah has sent down the best of speech, a Book consistent and oft-repeated. The skins of those who fear their Lord shiver from it, then their skins and their hearts soften to the remembrance of Allah.”
(Surah Az-Zumar 39:23)
In gatherings of the early Muslims, verses were recited aloud in small, hidden circles. These words were their main food for the soul. No elaborate institutions existed, no visible power structures, only revealed words that spoke about Allah’s mercy and justice, the promise of Paradise, and the warning of Hell.
The primary tool for strengthening faith in the early Makkan period was the gradual, repeated revelation of short, powerful Quranic chapters that focused on the greatness of Allah, certainty of the Hereafter, and stories of past prophets.
Stories of Earlier Prophets as Support
One of the strongest ways Allah strengthened the believers in Makkah was by telling them about earlier prophets who faced mockery, rejection, and even physical harm, yet remained firm until Allah granted them victory or took their souls upon faith.
Allah says:
وَكُلًّا نَّقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَاءِ ٱلرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَ
“And all that We relate to you of the stories of the messengers is to make your heart firm thereby.”
(Surah Hud 11:120)
Believers in Makkah heard about Nuh عليه السلام who preached for centuries while most people turned away. They heard of Ibrahim عليه السلام who was cast into fire but saved by Allah. They heard the stories of Musa عليه السلام who stood before the powerful Pharaoh with only faith and Allah’s help.
These stories were not presented as distant history. They were living mirrors. The believers in Makkah could see their own experiences reflected in them. Just as previous nations mocked and denied their prophets, the Quraysh were now mocking Muhammad ﷺ. Just as Allah eventually supported His messengers, He would also support this final messenger and those with him.
The Makkan surahs like Surah Hud, Surah Yusuf, and Surah Al-Qamar strengthened the inner certainty that hardship was not a sign of abandonment by Allah, but often a sign of being on the path of the prophets.
Strength from Knowing Allah and the Hereafter
Another key element that strengthened faith was deep knowledge of who Allah is, and what awaits after death. The early revelation spoke frequently of Allah’s power, His knowledge of every secret, His control over provision, and His judgment on the Last Day. This knowledge turned fear of people into fear of Allah alone and turned love of this world into preparation for the next.
Allah says:
ٱعْلَمُوا أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحْيِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا
“Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death.”
(Surah Al-Hadid 57:17)
Believers who heard such verses learned to trust that just as dead land becomes green after rain, dead hearts and hopeless situations could also be brought to life by Allah’s mercy. This gave them resilience when the situation in Makkah seemed closed and dark.
The early chapters such as Surah An-Naba, Surah An-Nazi‘at, and Surah Al-Muddaththir gave powerful descriptions of the Day of Judgment, the opening of the graves, the standing before Allah, and the weighing of deeds. This constant reminder changed how the early Muslims looked at insults, lost trade, torture, and social exile. Suffering for a few years in Makkah became small compared to eternal nearness to Allah in Paradise.
Firm belief in Allah’s attributes and certainty in the Day of Judgment transformed temporary hardship into a meaningful test, which made the early believers strong and patient.
Personal Support from the Prophet ﷺ
The Prophet ﷺ was not only the conveyor of revelation. He was also the shepherd of a small and frightened flock. His personal care, his words of encouragement, and his calmness in crisis were central to strengthening the faith of those around him.
He would sit with the believers, recite Quran to them, explain its meanings briefly, and remind them that the reward for patience with Allah is guaranteed. His presence itself was a source of tranquillity. Though he suffered mocking and rejection more than anyone else, he remained dignified, gentle, and hopeful. This model showed the believers how to carry pain without losing trust in Allah.
In authentic reports, when some companions came to him complaining of persecution, asking for a quick victory, he reminded them of previous nations who were sawn in two and combed with iron but did not give up their faith. In this way he gently corrected impatience and replaced it with deep reliance on Allah’s plan.
The Prophet ﷺ also made special dua for some specific individuals that they would be strengthened and that their Islam would bring strength to the community. Although the details of those individuals belong to other chapters, it is important here to see that he sought strength for his followers through direct supplication to Allah, and that this too was a means of strengthening faith.
Hidden Gatherings and Quiet Worship
During the early call, many meetings took place in secret, away from the eyes of Quraysh. These quiet gatherings were opportunities for collective worship, recitation, and learning. They were also places where loneliness was removed, as each believer realized that he or she was not alone in accepting the truth.
In such settings, the believers prayed together, and the Prophet ﷺ taught them what Allah revealed of salah and dhikr at that time. Though full details of the development of salah belong to other chapters, here it is enough to note that standing together in prayer, bowing and prostrating to one Lord in a city filled with idols, had an enormous impact on their hearts. It trained them to detach from the crowd and to belong to Allah.
Allah praised those who pray with presence of heart:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ. ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى صَلَاتِهِمْ خَٰشِعُونَ
“Successful indeed are the believers, those who are humble in their prayers.”
(Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:1–2)
These early shared acts of worship built a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. The believers saw each other willing to risk social standing, family ties, and wealth for Allah. This example strengthened each person’s resolve.
Patience as a Condition for Firm Faith
Throughout the Makkan years, Allah repeatedly commanded patience and linked it directly to faith. Believers were not allowed to respond with violence or revenge. Instead, they were told to bear, to forgive, and to stay firm in worship and trust.
Allah says:
وَٱصْبِرْ وَمَا صَبْرُكَ إِلَّا بِٱللَّهِ
“And be patient, and your patience is only through Allah.”
(Surah An-Nahl 16:127)
This verse teaches a key principle. Patience is not a natural trait alone, it is a gift from Allah given to those who turn to Him and accept His command. The Prophet ﷺ himself received this command, and by obeying it he showed the believers that no one is above the need for sabr.
Another verse connects patience with certainty in Allah:
وَلَنَبْلُوَنَّكُمْ حَتَّىٰ نَعْلَمَ ٱلْمُجَٰهِدِينَ مِنكُمْ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ
“And We will surely test you until We make evident those among you who strive and those who are patient.”
(Surah Muhammad 47:31)
This clear promise of tests prepared the early Muslims mentally. When the test arrived, it did not seem like a failure of the path, but rather a known part of it. This awareness made their faith stronger instead of weaker when trials came.
In the early Makkan stage, faith was not strengthened by avoiding hardship, but by facing hardship with patience, knowing that sabr is a gift from Allah and a sign of sincerity.
Turning Weakness into Spiritual Strength
From a worldly angle, the early believers often seemed weak. Many were slaves, poor, or young. They had no authority in Makkah. Yet this very worldly weakness became a path to spiritual strength, because it cut them off from relying on human power and pushed them to rely on Allah alone.
Allah addresses human tendency to seek support in others:
إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ ٱللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ
“If Allah supports you, none can overcome you.”
(Surah Ali Imran 3:160)
These words, repeated and believed, slowly detached hearts from fear of clans, leaders, and wealth. The weakest believer who knew that Allah was with him became stronger in spirit than the strongest chief who opposed the truth.
This transformation was not sudden. It was the result of daily recitation, reflection on verses, direct contact with the Prophet ﷺ, and the lived experience of trusting Allah in small matters before being asked to trust Him in very great matters.
The Growth of Inner Certainty (Yaqin)
As the years of the early call passed, the faith of the companions grew from simple belief to deep certainty called yaqin. At first, some embraced Islam after hearing just a few verses, or from their love and trust in the Prophet ﷺ. Over time, through exposure to many revelations, seeing Allah’s protection again and again, and witnessing small answered prayers, their trust in Allah solidified.
Allah praises those with such certainty:
وَبِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
“And in the Hereafter they are certain.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:4)
This certainty meant that they did not treat Islam as an opinion or a preference, but as absolute truth, worth sacrificing everything for. When later, in other periods, they faced even more serious challenges, the foundation laid in these early years of strengthening faith allowed them to remain firm and to carry the message beyond Arabia.
Conclusion: A Foundation for All Future Trials
The strengthening of faith in the earliest days of the Prophet’s mission laid the groundwork for every later stage of the Seerah. Through Makkan revelations that focused on Allah and the Hereafter, through stories of past prophets, through the personal support of the Messenger ﷺ, and through patient endurance of suffering, the early Muslims learned what it means to believe not only with the tongue, but with the whole heart and life.
This inner strength would be essential when the call became public, when persecution intensified, when migration became necessary, and when responsibility for leading a new community fell upon their shoulders. The lessons of this period remain valid for every generation, because the path to strong faith still follows the same pattern: knowledge of Allah, regular Quran, sincere worship, patience in trials, and deep trust in Allah’s promise.