How did Muhammad's message evolve during the course of his prophetic ministry?

Answer 1

In the beginning Muhammad started to preach a peaceful message with a defensive approach. He even went out of the way to secure freedom to some individuals, who professed faith in Islam and Muhammad's prophethood, from their slave masters. He condemned the prevalent practice of female homicide by the Arab parents in his time. Above all he advanced the notion that God is one and has no daughters or sons or partners, and Muhammad was his prophet. Initially, when he was in his home town, Mecca, his teachings were peaceful and his approach was amicable. It was during this time he brought the revelation, 'There is no compulsion in religion!' (Quran: Sura 2:256).

Despite his meekness, his preaching earned him enough enemies and ultimately he had to flee the city along with his few followers at that stage. He was relocated in another city called Medina where he was welcomed, accommodated and allowed to grow to prominence. As his grip on Arabs grew stronger and stronger, his tone of revelations changed from softer to stricter and harsher. By the end of ten years in Medina Muhammad became the absolute authority. It is during this period Muhammad took on the offensive approach and brought the violent revelations such as, 'Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush.' (Quran: Sura 9:5).