It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that Abu Jahl said: If I see the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) praying by the Ka'bah, I will trample his neck. Upon this statement of his, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: If he had done so, the angels would have seized him before the people. If the Jews had wished for death, they would surely have died and seen their abode in Hell. And if those who challenged the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to a mutual curse (mubahala) had come out, they would have returned in such a state that neither their wealth nor their families would have remained.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Abu Jahl said: "Does Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) prostrate among you?" Someone said: "Yes." He said: "By Lat and Uzza! If I see him doing so, I will trample his neck or smear his face with dust." So, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came to pray, and Abu Jahl also set out to trample his neck. But suddenly, he began to retreat on his heels and was defending himself with his hands. People asked him: "What happened to you?" He said: "Between me and him (peace and blessings be upon him) there was a trench of fire, terror, and wings." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If he had come near me, the angels would have snatched away each of his limbs." Then Allah Almighty revealed these verses: "Indeed, man transgresses. Have you seen the one who forbids a servant when he prays? Tell me, if he is upon guidance or enjoins righteousness? Tell me, if he denies and turns away?" This refers to Abu Jahl. The command of Allah Almighty is: "Does he not know that Allah sees? No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock—a lying, sinful forelock. Then let him call his council. We will call the guards of Hell." That is, the angels. "No! Do not obey him, but prostrate and draw near." The narrator says: "I do not know whether the mention of these verses was in the hadith of Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), or if it was known from another chain."

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) has also narrated a similar hadith of the Prophet.