The Second Stage: Open Call of the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)

The Second Stage: Open Call of the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)

By Ben Al-Hussaini

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;

All the praise and Thanks ise due to Allāh, the Lord of the al-‘ālameen. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh, and that Muhammad, sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam is His Messenger.

Description: An important change now occurred in the relations of the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)   with the citizens of Makkah. His Quraish compatriots had begun to doubt his sanity.

The Command to Preach Publicly

Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) received a Revelation from Allāh Subhanahu wa ta’ala:

“And warn your tribe of near kindred.”

[Surah Ash-Shuara, 26:214]

The Surah Ash-Shuara relates the case of Moses a.s struggle from his early days of Prophethood going through his migration with the Children of Israel, their escape from Pharoah and his folk, and the drowning of Pharoah and his armies. It also narated Moses mission of calling his people and Pharoah unto Allāh. It also includes stories about the terrible end for those who belied the Messengers such as Noah, ‘Ad, Thamud, Abraham, and Lot and Ahlul-Aikah (Companions of the Woods). It also let know the awaiting punishment from Allāh if they continue spreading falsehood, and let the believers know that the good end is for them, not the supporters of evil.

Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)  Met His Quraish Kinsmen

For this Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) arranged a gathering on a neighboring hill with his Quraish kinsmen called his kinsmen from Bani Hashim and Bani Al-Muttalib, about forty people attended. The most determined opponent at that time was a man called Amr ibn Hisham. He was soon to be nicknamed Abu Jahl, which meant "father of ignorance".

Abu Lahab took the initiative and addressed the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Abu Lahab strongly said his kinsmen were not to withstand all the Arabs and that he need his kinsmen and to follow old traditions. He also said the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)  was causing more harm to his people tan himself. Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)  said nothing in that meeting.

In another gathering called by Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)  he delivered a short speech. He said:

“I rejoice the praise to Allāh, I seek His help, I believe in Him, I put my trust in Him, I bear witness that there is no god to be worshipped but Allāh with no associate. A guide can never lie to his people. I swear by Allāh that there is no god but Him that has been sent as messenger to you in particular, and to all the people in general. I swear by Allāh that you will die just as you wake up. You will be called to account for your deeds. It is then either Hell forever or the paradise forever.”

Prophet’s uncle Abu Talib replied: We Love to help you, accept your advice and believe in your words. These are kin people whom you have gathered and I one of them but I am the fastest to do what you would like us to do. Do what you have ordered. I shall protect and defend you, but I cannot quit the religion of ‘Abdul-Muttalib.”

Abu Lahab then said to Abu Talib: “I swear by Allāh that this is a bad thing. You must stop him before the others do.” Abu Talib however answered: “I swear by Allāh to protect him as long as I am a live.” [1]

After the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) became sure of AbuTalib’s support and protection while he called the people unto Allāh he addressed more groups, Bani Fihr, Bani ‘Adi. Bani Ka’ab. He called them to Tawhid, faith in Allāh, his messengership and the Day of Resurrection. It was a verily a loud Call to the people that belief in his Message constituted the basic element of any future relation between him them. And that blood relation, on which the whole Arabian life was based, had lost its relevance in the light of that Devine ultimatum.

The Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) strong Call kept reverating until the following verse was revealed:

“Therefore proclaim openly, that which you are commanded, and turn away from Al-Mushrikun (polytheist).”

[Surah Al-Hijr, 15:94]

Then he turns to proclaim to the gathering and assemblies’ of idolators and he would recite from Allāh’s revelation:

“O people Worship Allāh, you have no god but Him.” 

[Surah Al-‘Araf, 7: 59].

Then he began worshipping Allāh right before their eyes, praying aloud in the courtyard of the Ka’bah during the daytime while they watched. He then started disapproving the superstitious practices of idolatry, revealing its worthless reality and utter uselessness, and giving concrete proofs that idolatry by itself, or taking it as the media through which an idolater could come in contact with Allāh, is manifest falsehood.

All of this resulted in increased acceptance of the call, people were entering Allāh’s’ religion one after another.

This caused enmity to develop between the converts and their relatives, and it all made the Quraish shudder in disgust over what they saw.

Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) Preached to the Pilgrims

The command of the Public Call was months away from the Hajj season. The Quraish formed an advisory council under Al-Walid bin Al-Maghirah and plan to push away the Arabs pilgrims from the new faith preached by Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam). They adopt a resolution that levelled Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as witchcraft so powerful and commanding in his art that would successfully separate the families and the clan. [2]. Allāh revealed sixteen verses in relations to Al-Walid method he devised to manipulate the pilgrims arriving Makkah.

Allāh says:

“Verily, He thought and plotted; so let him be cursed! How he plotted! And once more let him be cursed, how he plotted! Then he thought; then he frowned and he looked in a bad tempered way; then he turned back and was proud; then he said: “This is nothing but magic from that of old: this is nothing but the word of human being” 

[Surah Al-Muddhathir, 74: 18-25]

As for Allāh Messenger Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would go to the pilgrims at their camps in ‘Ukase, Majanah and Dzul-Manaj inviting to Allāh. But the Quraish made attempts to frustrate his efforts. They hastened themselves to meet the strangers first on different routes, to warn them against holding any communication with the Prophet(sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) , whom they represented as a dangerous magician. Abu Lahab, who would shadow the Prophet’s step cried loud, “Do not listen to him for he is aliar; he is an apostate.”Nevertheless Prophet Muhammad (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)   were able to cerate a stir in the whole area, and even to convince a few people to accept his Call [3]

The pilgrims returned to their homes, they carried with them the news of the advent of the bold preacher who was inviting the Arabs loudly to abandon the worship of their dear idols.

The Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)  and his followers became subject to some persecution and indignity. The hostile Quraish prevented the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)  from offering his prayers at the Sacred House of the Ka’bah; they pursued him wherever he went; they covered him and his disciples with dirt and filth when engaged in their devotions; they scattered thorns in the places which he frequented for devotion and meditation. Amidst all these trials the Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not waver. He was full of confidence in his mission, even when on several occasions he was put in imminent danger of losing his life.

And Allāh Almighty Knows best.

Footnotes:

1. Al- Kamil by Ibn Al-Athir 1/584, 585.
2. Ibn Hisham 1/271.
3. Ahmad in his Musnad, 1/492, 4/34

See: Prophet Muhammad. 8.