The Strangulation Incident
The single most visceral account of Meccan persecution: Uqba ibn Abi Muayt approached the Prophet while he was praying (prostrating in sajdah near the Ka’ba), wrapped his robe around his neck, and strangled him to the point of unconsciousness. Abu Bakr, who was present, ran and pushed Uqba away, reciting: “Will you kill a man for saying ‘My Lord is Allah’?” (40:28).
This incident is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (3856) and has multiple supporting narrations. It stands as one of the most documented instances of direct physical violence against the Prophet in Mecca.
The Poetry of Mockery
Uqba had been a close friend and later associate of Ubayy ibn Khalaf, another Meccan who died mocking the resurrection. The two reportedly encouraged each other in anti-Islamic acts. Uqba composed satirical verse (hija’) attacking the Prophet and the revelation — a form of “information warfare” Quraysh deployed alongside physical persecution.
Execution at Badr
At the Battle of Badr, Uqba was captured alive along with other Quraysh. The normal practice was to take ransom. Uqba was executed. The sira sources record the exchange where he asked about his children and received the response “Hellfire.” The Quran references such figures in 25:27-29 — “the wrongdoer will bite his hands… Woe to me, I wish I had taken such-a-one as my friend.”
See also: Seerah Umayya Ibn Khalaf, Seerah Al Nadr Ibn Al Harith, Seerah Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb, Seerah Al Walid Ibn Al Mughirah, Seerah Badr