A common misunderstanding among most Muslims is that the Quraish, at the time of the prophet, self-identified as idol worshipers and that their religion consisted of worshiping statues. This form of paganism that is commonly attributed to the Quraish was actually an ancient religion that was no longer in practice at the turn of the 7th century when the Quran was revealed.
The Quran is clear that the opposition to the prophet were believers in God, yet were in denial of their idol worship.
We see many verses in the Quran where the opposition is questioned regarding their belief, and they respond back that they believe in God, yet they are idol worshipers.
29:61 If you ask them, “Who created the heavens and the earth, and put the sun and the moon in your service,” they will say, “GOD.” Why then did they deviate?
29:63 If you ask them, “Who sends down from the sky water, to revive dead land,” they will say, “GOD.” Say, “Praise GOD.” Most of them do not understand.
In a recent talk, Professor Gabriel Said Reynolds of Islamic Studies & Theology at Notre Dame discussed the 2nd edition of his book, The Emergence of Islam: Classical Traditions in Contemporary Perspective, and how this edition includes some of the latest findings of pre-Islamic inscriptions in Arabia. From these inscriptions, there was a clear transition from paganism to monotheism a century before the revelation of the Quran.
The inscriptions indicate that there was some sort of cultural and religious revolution that took place around the 5th or 6th century that changed the Arabic script towards a paleo-Arabic script as well as a shift from paganism towards monotheism.
Every inscription in the paleo-Arabic script, which dates to around the 6th century, is monotheistic. None have any tell-tale signs of paganism or pagan gods or rituals. Also, these inscriptions are either generally monotheistic or point towards a Christian form of monotheism.
These findings correspond with what we find in the Quran as well. According to Quran, the residents of Mecca performed Hajj and Salat. This shows that the practices of Abraham were already established before Muhammad, and practiced by the Meccan opposition. And since Abraham was a pure monotheist, we should expect that this is how the Meccans viewed themselves as well.
8:35 Their Contact Prayers (Salat) at the shrine (Ka’bah) were no more than a mockery and a means of repelling the people (by crowding them out). Therefore, suffer the retribution for your disbelief.
According to a narration from Sahih Muslim, the Meccan idol worship was more subtle than stone worship. For instance, during their Talbiyah, it states they gave all authority to God but did not see an issue w/ associating partners w/ God as long as they acknowledged these partners had no authority over God.
Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the polytheists also pronounced (Talbiya) as: Here I am at Thy service, there is no associate with Thee. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Woe stop, stop, as they also said: But one associate with Thee, You possess mastery over him, but he does not possess mastery (over You). They used to say this and circumambulate the Ka’ba.
According to Sahih Bukhari, the Quraysh did not bar Muhammad from Hajj due to his religion or practices but because of his claim of messengership.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2699
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:2699
In another narration, it states that after the prophet entered the Ka’ba after the conquest of Mecca he found pictures of Abraham and Mary, which also corresponds with the concept of an Abrahamic Christian religion that was monotheistic in facade religion like found in the inscriptions.
Narrated Ibn Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) entered the Kaba and found in it the pictures of (Prophet) Abraham and Mary. On that he said’ “What is the matter with them ( i.e. Quraish)? They have already heard that angels do not enter a house in which there are pictures; yet this is the picture of Abraham. And why is he depicted as practicing divination by arrows?”
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرٌو، أَنَّ بُكَيْرًا، حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، مَوْلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ دَخَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْبَيْتَ فَوَجَدَ فِيهِ صُورَةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَصُورَةَ مَرْيَمَ فَقَالَ “ أَمَا لَهُمْ، فَقَدْ سَمِعُوا أَنَّ الْمَلاَئِكَةَ لاَ تَدْخُلُ بَيْتًا فِيهِ صُورَةٌ، هَذَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ مُصَوَّرٌ فَمَا لَهُ يَسْتَقْسِمُ ”.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3351
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3351
The concept that the Meccans were blatant pagans worshiping statues in the prophet’s time is inaccurate. The idol worshipers at the time of the prophet, like much of history and even today, didn’t perceive their actions as idol worship and probably considered the prophet’s understandings as fanatical for the push to a strict form of monotheism.
39:3 Absolutely, the religion shall be devoted to GOD alone. Those who set up idols beside Him say, “We idolize them only to bring us closer to GOD; for they are in a better position!” GOD will judge them regarding their disputes. GOD does not guide such liars, disbelievers.
This shows that idol worship is more than the cartoonish depiction of people worshiping statues. While this was true in earlier history, this was not the case during the prophet’s life.
Even today, just like it was during the revelation of the Quran, most people are unaware of their idol worship. They will vehemently deny that they are committing such acts even when summoned before their Lord of the Day of Ressurection.
6:22 On the day when we summon them all, we will ask the idol worshipers, “Where are the idols you set up?”
All this shows that the Meccan opposition to the prophet did not consider themselves or their worship practices as idol worship, and would have taken such remarks to their faith as insulting.