3) STAGES OF EARLY PREACHING

Q(a) Give an account of the main events of the Prophet’s preaching up until the public declaration on Mount Safa. [10]
{MJ-2020}
Q(a) How did Islam grow in the years between the Prophet’s first revelation and his first public preaching in Makka? [10]
{MJ-2018}
Q(a) Give an account of the way in which the Prophet started to preach Islam in the first few years after he first received the
revelation. [10] {MJ-2015}

Introduction: First Revelation & Fitrah- al-Wahi

• The Prophet (PBUH) received his first revelation, (96:1-5), in the cave of Hira in Ramzan, 610 AD when he was 40. He narrated
the whole experience to his wife, Hazrat Khadija and Warqa bin Naufil—who confirmed His Prophethood.
• Then there was a pause, also Known as Fitrah-al-Wahi. It is endorsed by a Hadith reported by Ibn e Saad on the authority of
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas. The Prophet (PBUH) would remain anxious and restless during this interval between revelations
(Fitrah-al-Wahi). He, however, would see Hazrat Jibrael during this interval.
Stage-I: Secret Preaching
• Then God revealed the verses of Surah Muddasir: "O you wrapped in cloak! Rise and warn. And magnify your Lord. And purify
your garments. And keep away from the idols." (74:1-5)
• Thus was Prophet (PBUH) commanded to warn his people of the consequences of Shirk (polytheism) and other evil practices
prevailing in Makkah in the Age of Ignorance.
• Prophet (PBUH) initiated his sacred mission right from home and then moved to the people closely associated with him. In fact,
a host of people who nursed not the least seed of doubt immediately responded and quite readily embraced the true faith. They
are known in the Islamic literature as the early converts.
• Khadija (RA), the Prophet (PBUH)’s wife, was the first to enter the fold of Islam followed by his freed slave Zaid bin Haris, his
cousin, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, who had been living with him since his early childhood, and next came his intimate friend Abu Bakr. Abu
Bakr was the first free male adult to accept Islam without any hesitation.
• Abu Bakr proved to be an energetic and most zealous activist. He invited whomever he had confidence and through his
personal efforts a good number of people converted to Islam such as Usman bin Affan, Zubair bin Awam, Abdur Rehman bin Auf,
Sa’ad bin Abi Waqas and Talha bin Ubayd Allah etc.
• Usman bin Affan returning from a trade journey in Syria was woken by a voice in the desert saying, ‘Sleepers awake, for verily
Ahmad hath come forth in Makkah.’ Later, Talha bin Ubayd Allah told him that a monk at Basra asked him, ‘If Ahmad had yet
appeared amongst the people of the sanctuary.’ Both consulted Abu Bakr and accepted Islam.
• Among the early Muslims were Bilal bin Rabah, Abu Ubaida bin Jarah, Ubaida bin Haris, Saeed bin Zaid and his wife Fatima bin
Khattab, Khabab bin Aratt, Abdullah bin Masud and many others. Ibn Hisham counted them to be more than forty in three years
span of secret preaching.
• Prophet’s uncle Abbas and Hamza showed little interest, and Abu Lahab believed that his nephew was self-deceived. Abu Talib
made no objection to Hazrat Ali & Jafar’s conversion to Islam.
• The Prophet (PBUH) used to meet and teach the religion in secretly at Dar-e-Arqam because the call to Islam was still running
on an individual and secret basis. It focused on purifying the soul and preventing the Muslims from falling prey to the deceptive
glamour of life.
• The revelations in this period were about Tawhid, belief in the Hereafter, being decent to women and the poor and offering
Salat.
• Prayer was established as a ritual at an early stage, based on divine injunction, “…and celebrate the Praises of thy Lord in the
evening and in the morning.” (40:55). He is also reported to have been taught the method of Wudu by Hazrat Jibrael.
Stage-II “Dawat e Dhul Ashira”
• For full three years Prophet (PBUH) had been content to teach within a rather narrow circle. The angel Jibrail had brought him
down a further Revelation," And admonish your nearest kinsmen." (26:214)
• He told Hazrat Ali about the divine command for which he asked Hazrat Ali to prepare a meal and call the members of Abdul
Muttalib [Banu Hashim].
• So, about 40-45 relatives, including all his uncles attended the dinner. When the Prophet wanted to speak to them, Abu Lahab
anticipated him and said, “Your host has casted spell upon you.” They all dispersed without listening to the Prophet.
• Next day they all were invited again, Prophet addressed them by saying, "I celebrate God's praise. O sons of Abdul Muttalib! I
know of no Arab who has come to his people with a nobler message than mine. I bring you the best of this world and the next.
Allah has commanded me to call you unto Him. Which of you will help me in this, and be my brother and mine executer and my
successor among you?"
• When nobody spoke, Hazrat Ali stood up and said, "O Prophet (PBUH) of God! I will be your helper in this. I will fight him who
fights you." The men laughed at the Prophet (PBUH) but his aunt, Safiyah embraced Islam with her son Zubair. Umm-al-Fadl, wife
of Abbas is believed to be the second woman to accept Islam after Hazrat Khadija. Her Sisters Maymunah, Salma and Asma also
became Muslims.
• Abu Talib said, "We love to help you, accept your advice, and believe in your words; I shall protect and defend you." Abu Lahab
retorted to Abu Talib. "I swear by God that this is a bad thing. You must stop him before others do it," but Abu Talib reiterated his
claim of protection. This event is called Dawat-e-Dhul-Ashira.
Stage-III “Mount Safa”
• Soon the Prophet (PBUH) received another revelation, "Therefore expound openly what you are commanded, and turn away
from those who join false gods with Allah." (15:94)
• Following this command, He stood up on Mount of Safa and called out loudly: "O Quraish! If I were to tell you that a large army
has collected on the other side of this mountain and is ready to attack you, would you believe me?" They said: "Yes, we have
never experienced any lie from you." He said: "I am a warner to you before a severe torment."
• Abu Lahab promptly replied: "Perish you all the day! Have you summoned us for such a thing?"
• The Prophet (PBUH), though shocked, continued his speech asking Quraish to abandon idol worship, believe in resurrection and
live a pious Life. The crowd outrightly rejected the message of God delivered by His Messenger.
• Soon, he received Surah al-Lahab, that promised a horrible punishment for Abu Lahab ’May the hands of Abu Lahab be
perished, and perished is he’. (111)
• Thus began the most crucial phase of his prophetic mission, and he started to address the idolaters at public gatherings and
assemblies.
• The Quraish felt threatened and annoyed. They were also socially, financially and religiously insecure. Muslims were now
physically, mentally, verbally and morally tortured by the Quraysh.
(b) What do the Prophet’s struggles in these early years teach Muslims about dealing with their own difficulties? [4]
{MJ-2020}
• The Prophet (Pbuh) was not able to preach his message openly, and even when he did, he was rejected and treated badly.
Muslims should realise that they should stick to what they believe in even if they are finding it hard to do so - especially if they
believe what they are doing is good and is what God asks of them. For example, colleagues may not want a Muslim to pray
openly or wear hijab, but they should try their best to stick to it and keep their belief strong.
• They could also learn that there are times when they do not have to tell people what they are doing, especially if they fear they
will come to harm, and so it is acceptable for them to do their good actions in secret. An example could be when moving to a new
country a person can keep their faith hidden to avoid persecution.
• Every action or strategy of the Prophet (PBUH) carries several lessons for Muslims in their daily lives. His secret preaching in the
beginning of his mission gives Muslims a justification of acting cautiously if they come across a community that may be opposed
to their set of beliefs and actions. For example, if a Muslim visits a non-Muslim state, that is hostile to Islam, and he finds it
difficult to get Halal meat, he should eat fish or vegetables without disclosing his faith.
• Many Muslims must live in countries of non-Islamic culture where it is difficult to practice Islamic teaching publicly. Such
Muslims should stick to the Islamic teachings by making collective efforts to set up Islamic Community centers. They should not
try to find excuses to adopt un-Islamic norms as it will reflect their weak faith. If they are ridiculed, they shouldn’t feel disgraced
or disappointed. Instead, they should take it as a test by God, and so, should remember Him, and react in a polite and non-hostile
way.
(b) How can the behaviour of the first converts to Islam provide an example for Muslims today? [4]
{MJ-2018/11}
• Muslims now should be patient when someone abuses them. Muslims are facing hostility for their faith in many places, but they
should try not to get angry and hurt others in return. • Like many of the early Muslims, who carried on practising their faith,
Muslims should not despair and give up on their religious practices. Being a good example to others would be a better way of
promoting Islam.
• Muslims today should try to follow the precedents of these Muslims whenever they face difficulties. They should remember that
God always tests the genuine believers. They may be ridiculed or rejected on various occasions of their lives, but they should not
develop any grudge against their insulters. Instead, they should pray to God for guiding such enemies to the Right Path.
• Many Muslims may continue to live a very hard life continuously, but they should keep strong hope in God's help. They may
face setbacks despite their best efforts in various walks of life. On such occasions, they should observe patience and seek
guidance from this Quranic verse, “For to God do all questions go back (for decision)” (8:44). Muslims also need to remain united
in difficult times. The well-off Muslims should hurry to rescue their fellow Muslims in times of hardships.
(b) Was it significant that the Prophet began preaching the message in secret? [4]
{MJ-2015}
• It was significant because the message was new and so the Prophet and his closest followers needed time to get used to it
(Individual attention).
• Also, they did not know how the Quraysh would react, so it was better to wait until they had some strength in numbers before
openly preaching.
• It was also better to wait until they were guided by God to preach Islam openly.
•