When did Mecca's merchants reject Muhammad's teachings?

Answer 1

A:

Merchants and tribal leaders in Mecca actually did reject the teachings of Muhammad. When his uncle and protector died, and no divine protection, he had to flee under cover of darkness to Medina (Yathrib) to avoid being killed.

In 630, Muhammad marched on Mecca with ten thousand men. The Quraysh of Mecca, likewise without divine protection, conceded defeat and opened the gates without a fight. They were not forced to become Muslims, but became convinced that the old religion had failed them.

Answer 2

The premise of the question is incorrect, namely, the merchants of Mecca did reject Mohammed's teachings and there were several reasons for that.

Preserving Religious Pluralism: The religious plurality permitted in Mecca was critical for maintaining Mecca's important position along the Arabian trade routes. It was on account of the fact that Mecca was holy site for all Arabian faiths that spared it from internal conflict and allowed the flourishing of commerce in the city. Mohammed made clear that he intended to purge the idols from the Kaaba which would cause mass uproar and end Mecca's position as a holy site for all Arabians. Of course, this does not take into account is that nearly all Arabians would convert to Islam after the fall of Mecca.

Politics: The Chief Leaders of the Qoreish Tribe were the most powerful men in all of Arabia. Should Mecca fall to the Muslims, they would certainly lose substantial power. Since Muslims believed that these leaders were corrupt, they likely stood to face criminal acts if they were subject to Mohammed's authority. The merchants often had good dealings with the Qoreish and did not wish to disrupt the status quo.

Raids on Merchants: During Mohammed's Medinan Period, Mohammed organized and executed numerous raids on caravans heading to and leaving from Mecca, causing disruption to Arabian trade routes. Violently attacking peaceful convoys does not speak well of your faith/group.

Polytheism: Mohammed demanded that all polytheists abandon their gods for the singular Allah. Polytheists were incensed that they should have to conform to Mohammed's standards. Some of those polytheists were merchants.

Incongruities with Other Monotheisms: Many Jews and Christians saw the revelations of the Qur'an to be bits and pieces from their traditional scriptures and religious commentaries. They felt like Mohammed was repackaging their traditions and doing so incorrectly as a result, they saw no reason to convert to Islam. Some of those Jews and Christians were merchants.

Massacres of Opponents: Mohammed massacred tribes (most often Jewish tribes, but polytheist tribes as well) that did not align themselves with him in war. Regardless of whether this was permissible, which most historians say was a valid 7th century tactic, it did not engender warm feelings between the massacred or their sympathizers and Mohammed.

Answer 2

Mecca's merchants rejected his teachings consistently until Mecca was conquered by Muslim forces in 630 C.E.