Early Days of Prophethood

The early days of Islam saw several key individuals embracing the new faith. These included Khadijah, the Prophet’s ﷺ wife, her cousin Waraqa, Ali, Zaid ibn Haritha, and Abu Bakr, who played a pivotal role in spreading the message. Abu Bakr’s influence led to the conversion of notable figures like Uthman ibn Affan, Zubair ibn Al-Awam, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, and Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf. Their contributions were crucial in the growth of the early Muslim community.

Early Converts

Among the early converts was Abdullah ibn Masud, whose conversion followed a miraculous event. He witnessed the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ miraculously milk a she-goat that had stopped producing milk, which convinced Abdullah of the truth of Islam. Another early convert, a Yemeni man named Amr ibn Abasah, recognized the truth in the Prophet’s message and later joined him in Madinah.

During the initial phase of the Prophet’s mission, the environment in Makkah was hostile. To avoid persecution, the Prophet ﷺ conducted a private dawah (invitation to Islam), urging early converts to keep their faith secret until the message gained more followers and strength. This strategy allowed the message of Islam to grow despite the difficult circumstances in Makkah.

In the early days of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ mission, his teachings were kept private. During this phase, there was no major opposition since he wasn’t openly challenging the social or religious order of Makkah. The early converts were primarily from the lower classes, though a few, like Abu Bakr and Zaid ibn Haritha, were from the elite. These early converts played crucial roles in supporting the Prophet and promoting Islam, later becoming prominent leaders in the Muslim community.

The Stages of the Prophet’s Mission

The Prophet’s mission unfolded in five distinct stages:

1. Private Dawah, where he spread the message discreetly.

2. Public preaching without physical confrontation, inviting people to Islam peacefully.

3. Public preaching with physical confrontation, aimed at a specific enemy, the Quraysh.

4. Public preaching with defensive measures, protecting the Muslim community from harm.

5. Public preaching with offensive measures, against any opposition to Islam.

Each stage reflected the growing challenges and strategies necessary to advance Islam.

Public Proclamation and Early Opposition

After three years of private dawah, the command for public preaching came through a revelation instructing the Prophet ﷺ to warn his close relatives. He began by inviting his tribe, Banu Hashim, to a meal at his home, where he planned to present Islam. However, during the first gathering, his uncle Abu Lahab disrupted the meeting. A second attempt allowed the Prophet ﷺ to deliver his message, though Abu Lahab’s hostility persisted.

The Prophet ﷺ then proclaimed his message to the people of Makkah from Mount Safa, marking the beginning of public opposition. Abu Lahab cursed the Prophet ﷺ in response, leading to the revelation of Surah Al-Masad, condemning him for his actions.

As the Prophet’s ﷺ message gained attention, the Quraysh sought to stop him by appealing to his uncle Abu Talib, who was the Prophet’s protector. Despite growing pressure, Abu Talib remained steadfast in his support, refusing to hand his nephew over to the Quraysh. His protection was essential in allowing the Prophet ﷺ to continue his mission in Makkah, and his poetry often reflected his loyalty to the Prophet and disdain for the Quraysh’s hostility.

Although Abu Talib never converted to Islam, scholars see divine wisdom in this. His status as a non-Muslim allowed him to protect the Prophet ﷺ without facing the same persecution that Muslim converts did. This situation highlighted the importance of lineage and social status in Arab society at the time, as Abu Talib’s high standing enabled him to shield his nephew despite widespread opposition to Islam.