A struggle for rulership: Ebu Cehil and the first Muslims

Disregard (benightedness) is the expression for the utter lack of, or the insufficiency of knowledge on any given subject, in like manner it is also believing contrary to the accepted right or defying what is unfamiliar. When the Prophet Muhammed began preaching Islam, he witnesses a defiance inflamed by benightedness. Some people of the era, rather than perceiving the religion which he preached, were more interested in considering self-benefits, once realizing that the existing ways would have to be altered, they dismissed, expressing opposition. The flagship name for this opposition was Ebû Cehil. He displayed "outrageous benightedness" by resisting Islam preached by Prophet Muhammed albeit knowing that it was the truth, for this reason, his identity "Ebû'l Hakem" was changed to "Ebû Cehil" (father of benightedness) by Prophet Muhammed. The basis for the conflict between Ebû Cehil and Prophet Muhammed was the distinction between Ebû Cehil's notion of God and the God revealed by Islam. In addition to the distinction, Ebû Cehil's zeal for tribesmanship and the despair of losing tribal power fuelled his contest, making him the lead figure name amongst the adversities of Islam. Ebû Cehil never abstained from exhibiting verbal and physical attacks on Prophet Muhammed and the Muslims whenever possible and engaged on all plots against them. Numerous verses have been revealed about Ebu Cehil who has been attributed as the "Pharaoh of the People of Islam" by the Prophet Muhammed. Ebû Cehil was later killed in the Bedir War. Key Words: Ebû Cehil, Prophet Muhammed, Benightedness, Bedir War, Tribesmanship.