Question

Was it significant that the prophet began preaching the message in secret?
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Answer 1

Answer:

There was no secret preaching of Prophet Muhammad, but the poor people and the liberated slaves who became Muslims couldn't declare that openly without risk to be hurt or killed by the Meccians/Quoraish.

The Meccians/Quoraish knew everything about Islam from the beginning, and therefore tried to force the weak new Muslims to convert back to their old religion by body-torture and economical and social sanctions.

Hope it will help you.