 Muhammad's commencement of public preaching brought him stiff opposition from the leading tribe of Mecca, the Quraysh.Although Muhammad himself was safe from persecution due to protection from his uncle, Abu Talib ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (a leader of the Banu Hashim), some of his followers were not in such a position.A number of Muslims were mistreated by the Quraysh, some reportedly beaten, imprisoned, or starved.