Most members here are devout Muslims obviously. But suppose you lived in the time of Muhammad in Makkah. Would you have been one of his original followers? Pretend you knew nothing about God for a moment and were brought up to believe the polytheist religion there. Also think about now, how you react to things so contrary to your beliefs be it political, religious, or general. Would you have immediately become Muslims or would you have waited for proofs?
There must've been alot of proofs considering the overwhelming majority became Muslim. This includes the Jews and Meccan's who were free to leave in peace once Muhammad(pbuh) had conquered Mecca.
Also, do not forget;
- His enemies said that they don't reject him, as they know he's a good person and known as "al-ameen"(trustworthy one), however they reject what they deemed as as Blasphemoues message against their idol gods.
- His enemies litterally believed he was a magician (because they had no other logical explanation).
Narrating the circumstances in which such verse was revealed, our Mother Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
The Prophet was vigilant one night and when he reached Medina , he said, "Would that a pious man from my companions guard me tonight!" Suddenly we heard the clatter of arms. He said, "Who is that?" They (The new comers) replied, "We are Sad and Hothaifa and we have come to guard you." So, the Prophet slept (that night). Then this verse came down, so Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) looked out of the house and said: “O people, leave now for Allah (the Almighty) had prevented me”. Narrated by Al Qurtubi.
( O you Messenger, proclaim whatever has been sent down to you from your Lord; and in case you do not perform (that), then in no way have you proclaimed His Message; and Allah safeguards you from mankind. Surely Allah does not guide the disbelieving people ) (al-Maedah:5:67)
A Belgium scholar had been studying the biography of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) until she reached this point, where she stopped and said: “If that man was deceiving all the people he wouldn’t deceive himself and had he not been sure that Allah (the Almighty) is protecting him he wouldn’t have done so (dismissing the guards) such experiment which proves his trust in his Creator. Hence I say with utmost belief: There’s no God But Allah and Muhammad is his Messenger.
As for whether I would have become a Muslim then, who knows but Allah(swt). I can't arrogantly say "yes I would be Muslim", because those times were a great test for a specific set of people. Brothers would fight fathers and vice versa.
But how commited they were to rightousness and truth that they would give up prostitution, very large polygamous marraiges, alcohol, gambling, drugs, enmity, corruption, oppression of slaves/the weak and other foolish practices which at that time was the "norm".
Amazing... pre Islamic arabia, if someone who owned a camel died, they'd lock the camel on top of his grave, for it to starve/rot to death... and this was "normal".