What happened when Muhammad first began preaching in Mecca? a. He founded the first Islamic university b. His message was similar to existing religious beliefs like polytheism c. The people of Mecca readily accepted his message d. He faced opposition from people who were powerful in the community

Answer: D. He faced opposition from people who were powerful in the community

Explanation: When Muhammad began preaching in Mecca, he began to preach monotheism, a belief in one God, which was not similar to centuries ago the beliefs practised by the Arabs. Although descendants of Abraham, they eventually adopted many polytheistic patterns, all the way to Muhammad. So with his preaching for the first time in Mecca, Muhammad encountered opposition from powerful people in the community, above all the merchants. Because of their opposition to Muhammad's then-new faith, powerful people in Mecca were even very keen on his teaching because they saw a danger to their business and lifestyle that had been established on different principles centuries ago, and in their view the new faith would shake the established lifestyle, especially trade.

Muhammad therefore had to move to Medina, where he gathered supporters, like-minded people, and this transition from Mecca to Medina was considered the beginning, the founding of Islam. Subsequently, the supporters, along with Muhammad, returned to Mecca and defeated opponents of Muhammad and monotheism, and so Islam began to develop.