Why did leaders in mecca initially reject muhammads teachings? a. the people of medina were afraid that the influence of islam would shift trade away from mecca to yathribb. muhammads use of torture against nonbelievers of islam made those in mecca fearful of his new religion. c. the spread of monotheism threatened meccas economy, which relied on the wealth of non-muslim pilgrims. d. islam represented a danger to meccas economy because muhammad taught followers of islam to avoid trade with non-muslims.