Persecution

The types and level of persecution differed from convert to convert. The Quraish tortured the Muslims from poor or weak clans freely without fear of retaliation, while the stronger muslims were persecuted by their own family in methods ranging from disownment to torture. Here are some notable stories from this difficult time. When Abu Jahl particularly heard of the conversion of a man of high birth with powerful friends, he would degrade his prudence and intellect, undermine his judgement; and threaten him with dire consequences if he was a merchant. If the new convert was socially weak, he would beat him ruthlessly and put him to unspeakable tortures.

• The uncle of Uthman bin Affan used to wrap Uthman in a mat of palm leaves, and set fire under him.
• When the mother of Musab bin Umair heard of her son's conversion, she put him to starvation and then expelled him from her house.
• Bilal, the slave of Omaiyah bin Khalaf, was severely beaten by his master. Sometimes a rope was put around his neck and street boys were made to drag him through the streets and even across the hillocks of Makkah. At times he was subjected to prolonged deprivation of food and drink; at others he was bound up, made to lie down
  on the burning sand and under the crushing burden of heavy stones. Moved by the tortures, Abu Bakr brought the emancipation of Bilal. Other muslim slaves were also bought for safety
• Family of Ammar bin Yasir: They were repeatedly made to lie on the burning sand and were beaten severely. Ammar was at times tossed up on embers. Yasir, the father, died because of repeated tortures. Sumaiyah, Ammar's mother was bayoneted to death by Abu Jahl himself, and thus merited the title of the first woman martyr in Islam. Ammar himself was subjected
  to various modes of torture and was always threatened to sustain severe suffering unless he abused Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and recanted to Al-Lat and Uzza. In a weak moment, he uttered a word construed as recantation though his heart never wavered and he came back once to the Prophet (Peace be upon him), who consoled him for his pain and confirmed his faith. Immediately afterwards the following verse was revealed: Whoever disbelieved in Allâh after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith —. [16:106]
• Abu Fakeeh, Aflah, a freed slave of Bani Abd Ad-Dar was the third of those helpless victims. The oppressors used to fasten his feet with a rope and drag him in the streets of Makkah
• Khabbab bin Al-Aratt experienced exemplary torture and maltreatment. The Makkan polytheists used to pull his hair and twist his neck, and made him lie on burning coal with a big rock on his chest to prevent him from
  escaping

Some Muslims of rank and position were wrapped in the raw skins of camels and thrown away, and others were put in armours and cast on burning sand in the scorching sun of Arabia. Even the women converts were not spared, and the list is too long to include all of them. Zanirah, An-Nahdiyah and her daughter, Umm Ubais and many others had their full share of persecution at the hand of the oppressors Umar bin Al-Khattab included of course before his conversion to Islam. Abu Bakr, a wealthy believer, purchased and freed some of those she-slaves, just as he did with regard to Bilal and Amir bin Fuheirah.

Lesson: When you start moving towards the path of Islam, it will be hard and you will suffer some persecutions, difficulties and tempations. (Honey you are too young to wear a hijab, we dont have time for you to pray, we have to go etc.)

Lesson: When you see persecution of any kind stand up and let people know that its not okay. Use your resources, your money, your voice, your reputation, your standing to stop any oppression.

Lesson: Allah does not expect the impossible from us. If in a weak moment you give up your religion. Ask for forgiveness with sincerety. Inshallah, Allah will welcome you to Islam

The Prophet (SAW) also suffered at this time. Aside from blemishing his reputation, calling him derogatory names, throwing garbage at him Prophet SAW also suffered in other ways:

• Prophet Muhammad (SAW)'s daughters, Ruqaiya and Umm Kuthum, married the sons of Abu Lahab before the reciept of the message. Abu Lahab forced his sons to divorce them and returned them to their father in a very disgraceful manner. Divorce was considered the ultimate insult to the Arabs.
• Gloated and laughed at the Prophet (SAW) at the funeral of his son
• Wife of Abu Lahab and sister of Abu Sufyan, Umm Jameel bint Harb would throw thorns in his path in an attempt to cause bodily injury
• Stonings
• Throwing dirty fuetus of she camels on the Prophet as he prayed
• Omaiyah bin Khalaf ground up bones of dead animals and blew them in the Prophet's face
• Tried to debar him from the Holy Masjid

In the difficulty of these times, H. Muhammad felt it was wise that muslims hide their conversion and took to meeting for sermons in a Al-Arqam's house in the mountain of Safa to avoid detection