When the polytheists of Quraish were convinced that they were not going to succeed in stopping the growth of Islam by force, they started accusing and defaming our Master with slanderous labels like “magician”, “lunatic”, “poet” and “soothsayer” … 

By doing so, they wanted to render ineffective the invitations our Master was making to the large number of foreigners visiting Mecca during the season of pilgrimage. Primarily it was Walid bin Mughiyra one of the eldest and wisest among the polytheists, at the root of this.

In one of their meetings, he suggested:

“O people of Quraish… The season of pilgrimage has finally arrived… I’m assuming we’re going to encounter some interesting situations. Many foreigners visit our land throughout the year… You have tried to stop them from believing in Muhammad by telling them he is a lunatic, a poet and a magician… But as far as I can see, this tactic is no longer going to work…”

“Why not?” asked one of the polytheists… “We’ve been successful thus far!”

“Until today the visitors came alone or in groups comprising no more than a few people… They took information from one of us and left. But now there is going to be large crowds of people coming to Mecca and they are going to interact and talk with many of you. Some of you are going to claim ‘he’s a magician’ and some are going to say ‘he’s a lunatic’ while others claim ‘he’s an oracle’. This is going to look contradictory on our behalf, making the visitors think we are envious and jealous… Thus, we must decide on a common point and say the same thing lest we look like we’re in conflict with one another…”

“And what do you think we should say? What is your advice? They asked…

“Before I share my view, I’d like to hear your opinions… What do you all think?”

“Let’s say he’s an oracle!” someone suggested…

Walid objected:

“I swear he is not an oracle! We have seen many oracles to date… What he reads is neither the words nor the figments of an oracle. Oracles are sometimes truthful and accurate while sometimes they are flawed and inaccurate. So far, we have never seen Muhammad say something untruthful…”

“So then let us claim he is a lunatic!”

“He is neither a lunatic nor a crazy man! We have seen many lunatics, we know what they look and sound like… Muhammad neither shakes and shivers, nor does he tic and twitch, he holds no hatred and he is not apprehensive…”

“In that case let us say he is a poet…”

“He is no poet! We have seen all types of poets… What he reads sounds nothing like a poem! We cannot call him a poet…”

“Then we should claim he is a magician!”

“No! Impossible! He is not a magician… We have seen many forms of magic and have met many magicians… What he recites does not in any way resemble the works of magicians…”

There was nothing more left to suggest… For whatever label they came up with to defame our Master, Walid admitted and confirmed that he did not carry their attributes. 

Helplessly they asked,

“Aba Abdushams… what can we say? You do not accept any of our suggestions. Let us know what you have in mind then?”

In an earlier time, Walid had heard our Master recite the Quran. The verse he had heard and which had captivated him was:

Indeed, Allah orders justice, good conduct and generosity to relatives... And forbids immorality (ego-based behavior), bad conduct (activities that go against the requirements of faith) and oppression (wrongdoing and injustice) ... He admonishes you so that you think and evaluate.

With the captivating effect this verse had on him, Walid explained:

“I swear that there are no words greater and more noble than the words that Muhammad utters! They are like light! Perfect literary works indeed! It gives pleasure to its listeners… a pleasure impossible to explain…”

After this confession, Walid got up and left the meeting…

Everybody was shocked! They started talking amongst each other:

“Walid has also turned away from his religion!”

“He has also become a follower of Muhammad…!”

Eventually the news reached Abu Jahil. “Rest assured” he said, “I will bring him back on track!”

Abu Jahil went to Walid’s house. When Walid saw the worry on Abu Jahil’s face, he asked, “What is it my brother? Why do you look so worried?”

Abu Jahil spoke with savvy:

“How can I not be worried? Quraish is collecting charity in your name!”

Walid was surprised, “What!? Why so?”

Abu Jahil continued his guile:

“They say you have honored and praised the words of Muhammad and that you’re bracing him in order to take advantage of the benefits he provides to become richer!” 

Old Walid was furious! With all the wealth he had how dare anyone accuse him of such condescension!?

“Utter nonsense! Do not the people of Quraish know how much wealthier I am, both in property and in offspring, than Muhammad? Have his followers become richer than him to make me richer than I already am!? These are ludicrous statements!”

He made an immediate decision to invite the chiefs of Quraish to his house and make an explanation.

When they came, Walid spoke with resentment, for Walid had not accepted Islam, he had merely confessed the heavenly nature and the superiority of the eloquence of the Quran…

 “No, I have not turned away from my gods! But I have contemplated on how you should defame him! If you continue with your current claims soon enough you are going to look foolish, for people are going to see its invalidity… But if you want to make a claim, then I advise you to say he’s a magician and a soothsayer… For, the words he speaks are so magically enchanting that they have the power to separate a father from his son, a husband from his wife, a brother from his brother! In fact, it has the power to create conflict among clans and tribes!” 

The polytheists were relieved… From that they on, they started to instill and spread this lie to all of the pilgrims and visitors to Mecca… Meanwhile, in their regard, the following verses were revealed:

Indeed, it is the word of a generous Rasul.

It is not the word of a poet... How limited is your faith!

Nor is it the word of a soothsayer... How little you remember and think!

It is a (detailed) disclosure from the Rabb of the worlds![1]

So, leave me (to deal) with the one I created alone;

The one whom I granted wealth;

And sons standing before him;

And enabled the experience of expansive abundance!

Yet he (greedily) wants me to increase it for him!

Never! Indeed, he is very stubborn against Our signs.

I will subject him to an arduous uphill climb.

Indeed, he reflected and decided!

May he die (and see the reality)! How he decided!

Again, may he die (and see the reality)! How he decided!

Then he looked.

Then he frowned and scowled!

Then he turned his back and became arrogant!

And he said, “This is nothing other than narrated words of magic!”

“It is no other than the words of a mortal!”

I will subject him to Saqar (painful tormenting fire).[2]

Thus, the state of Walid bin Mugiyra who slandered and accused our Master of being a soothsayer was exposed with these verses…