The more Islam continued to spread and the more the number of the Muslims grew, the more the rage and hatred of the disbelievers of Makkah increased.
As far as those Muslims are concerned who had people to protect and assist them, then the disbelievers did not have much power and control over them. However, the pitiable Muslims who were helpless and had no one to protect them became the target of the oppression and persecution of the Quraish. They would beat some of these poor Muslims and confine others to dark and narrow cages.
We will next mention a few incidents highlighting the sheer brutality and ruthlessness of the kuffaar of Makkah and the patience and endurance of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/223-224)