Reflections from the story of Abu Jahl

I had never thought much about Abu Jahl beyond the fact that he was an arrogant man who opposed the Prophet ﷺ, persecuted early Muslims, and died without accepting Islam.

However, returning to the tafsīr of Surat al-Alaq this Ramadan drew my attention to a detail that stuck out this time around. When Abu Jahl moved towards the Prophet ﷺ with the intention of stepping on his neck and rubbing his face in the dirt whilst he prayed at the Ka’bah, Abu Jahl suddenly retreated.

When asked what had happened, he described seeing a ditch of fire, terror, and wings between him and the Prophet ﷺ.

The Prophet ﷺ later explained to his Companions that had Abu Jahl come any closer, the angels — specifically al-Zabāniyah (the Guards of Hell) — would have torn him to pieces. [1]

A moment that should’ve changed everything

I found myself reflecting on how Abu Jahl could experience such a moment and see the evidence and still not believe.

After all, this was a man who was known among the Quraysh as Abu Hakam (which translates to “the Father of Wisdom”) due to his status, influence, and perceived judgment in Makkan society.

So you would expect somebody known for his wisdom would understand what he had seen and accept the truth. Yet history remembers him as Abu Jahl, which translates to “the Father of Ignorance”.

Hardly an exceptional case in Abu Jahl!

History and stories from the Qur’ān are full of reminders that this is not unusual.

Pharaoh is perhaps the clearest example. He saw the sea split in front of his eyes and yet instead of retreating and believing, he continued to charge forward. His continued denial of the truth did not come out of nowhere.

Before the sea, there had been sign after sign: the staff and the shining hand; the public defeat of the magicians who fell in prostration; and the plagues that afflicted his people from floods to locusts, lice, frogs, and blood.

Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) says,

And the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. They said, ‘We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, the Lord of Mūsā and Hārūn.'” [2]

And He says about Pharaoh and his people,

So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood as distinct signs, but they were arrogant and were a criminal people.” [3]

The Qur’ān makes clear that this was not ignorance.

Mūsā (ʿalayhi al-Salām) told Pharaoh,

You know that none has sent these down except the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth.” [4]

And Allah describes them as rejecting the signs while their souls were convinced of them, out of injustice and arrogance.

And they rejected them, while their [inner] selves were convinced thereof, out of injustice and haughtiness. So see how was the end of the corrupters.” [5]

Evidence simply is not enough

We often assume that if people are shown enough evidence, they will change their minds. But that simply isn’t true. When the truth threatens power or reputation, denial becomes easier than acceptance.

We need only look at the genocide in Gaza: where evidence has been abundant and undeniable, yet those in power continue to reject what it demands of them.

Similarly with the invasion of Iraq: built on weapons of mass destruction that never existed — a war whose chief architect, Tony Blair, still insists the decision itself was right.

And currently, the rhetoric that everyone can see is falsehood is that of the “liberation of Iran”… despite the obvious geopolitical interests and Zionist lobbying forces at play. It is so obvious, Donald Trump’s very own head of counter-terrorism quit on Tuesday, saying:

Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.” [6]

We see something similar in the way the so-called “grooming gangs” narrative has been constructed as a Muslim phenomenon, despite all of the overwhelming evidence that “group-based CSE (child sexual exploitation) offenders are most commonly White”. [7]

This is also clear in the reporting of those associated with the Epstein files, and the lack of such descriptions of a “grooming gang” because it did not fit the racialised narrative that would have ripped through the headlines, had they been Muslim.

The issue is narratives shape belief

The problem is not the absence of facts. It is how they are received, and how emotion can outrun evidence once fear has been attached to a community.

No matter how much Muslims contribute through interfaith work, sincere public service, or everyday acts of goodness, we should not be naïve about what changes hearts. Guidance belongs to Allah alone.

Beyond presenting the truth, what we can do is ensure we are not dependent on those who deny what is in front of them. And first and foremost, it means turning to Allah (subḥānahu wa ta’āla) as our Protector.

Second, it means building structures that protect our communities, documenting harm, and standing together when narratives are weaponised. It means continuing to present evidence while recognising the power of stories, not merely to convince those determined to reject them, but to strengthen our own hearts and the hearts of others. The Qur’ān tells us that stories strengthen hearts.

Documenting truth, even when it is denied

Abu Jahl witnessed something undeniable and still refused to believe. But the truth did not change because he denied it!

We are reminded in Surat al-Anbiyā’ that truth endures and vanquishes falsehood.

Allah says,

Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it, and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe.” [8]

I am reminded of this when I step into my role at Prevent Watch — where the harms of Prevent have been documented repeatedly. We have shared account after account from people whose lives have been disrupted, whose children have been questioned, and whose trust in public institutions has been shaken.

Yet there are politicians and people in power who continue to defend Prevent and deny the harms (note, plural) it causes. This is not due to a lack of evidence. It is sometimes due to the opportunity for them to advance their careers. Other times, it is to save their careers by appearing to be tough on security while using Prevent as a political football.

At Prevent Watch, we do not work on the assumption that every piece of evidence will suddenly change minds in Westminster. We document because it matters. We share stories because they matter. Not to win approval from those who deny what is in front of them, but so that people are not left isolated, so that what has happened is recorded properly.

Guidance belongs to Allah. Our responsibility is simpler than trying to change every heart. It is to act with integrity, support those who need it most, and not allow fear or smears to silence us.