The Life of Prophet Muhammad: Chapter 7 Summary

Summary of Chapter 7 of Adil Salahi's book 'Muhammad – Man and Prophet' published by Islamic Foundation. The title of the chapter is "The Call to Islam Goes Public" and it covers the fourth year of Prophethood.

Transcript

1. The Life of the Prophet (ﷺ) Summary of Chapter 7: The Call to Islam Goes Public (4th year of Prophethood)
2. • For around three years Prophet Muhammad propagated Islam in secret • But it was now time to move into a new phase • He was given the order by God to go public The first public call
3. • He stood on Al-Safa, a small hill in the centre of Makkah, close to the Ka’bah, and called out as loudly as he could • He mentioned every Arab clan of Makkah by name and asked them to come over to him • In no time, the word spread all over Makkah that Muhammad had something important to announce The first public call
4. • People were rushing to him from all quarters of the city • When they gathered around the hill, Muhammad put to them this question: “If I were to tell you that armed horsemen are beyond this valley heading toward Makkah to attack you, would you believe me?” • “You are trustworthy, and we have never known you to tell lies,” they answered. The first public call
5. • “Well, then,” he said, “I am sent to you to warn you against grievous suffering.” • The Prophet continued his warning, addressing each clan by name, calling on them to believe in God • The people of Makkah were taken aback. They did not expect such a direct and clear warning The first public call
6. • It was left, however to the Prophet’s own uncle, Abu Lahab, to give him a most hostile and harsh reply • “Confound you!” he said. “Is this what you called us here for?” • This encouraged others to adopt a hostile attitude • Some dismissed the Prophet’s warning as insincere, while others were quick with their insults The first public call
7. • What happened in those few moments at the hill of Al-Safa was a historic event with great significance • The people of Makkah were already aware that a new philosophy was being propagated amongst their midst • The declaration on the hill of Al-Safa, however, brought home to the Quraysh the scope of the new call A forthright challenge
8. • The aim was to bring about a total change in the life of Arab society: its values and standards, its sense of purpose, its practices and its whole direction A forthright challenge
9. • The Prophet felt that it was best to have a special gathering in which he could speak to his immediate relatives in a relaxed atmosphere • He invited them to a meal which was attended by over forty of his uncles and cousins • When they had finished eating, the Prophet was beginning to prepare himself to talk when the initiative was taken away from him by none other than Abu Lahab An approach to relatives
10. • Abu Lahab warned the Prophet that turning away from the faith of his people and preaching this new faith would expose himself and his people to the anger of the Arabs • As he said this, he was very excited, firing his words like threats • The Prophet looked around and saw that everyone was silent and that an air of depression and gloom prevailed, he therefore said nothing An approach to relatives
11. • The Prophet allowed things to cool down for a few days before he invited his uncles and cousins to dinner again • This time, however, the Prophet took the initiative and spoke to his relatives immediately after they finished eating • He explained to them his message and called on them to bear witness to it Appeal resumed
12. • Abu Talib, the uncle who had taken care of him since he was a child, pledged to give the Prophet his support and protection • However, he could not bring himself around to abandoning the faith of his father ‘Abd al-Muttalib he said • Abu Lahab then spoke out in a burst of temper threatening and pledging to do everything in his power to stop his nephew from accomplishing his mission Appeal resumed
13. • These incidents help us to understand the forces that were at play in Makkan society • Abu Lahab, the conservative, hot-headed dignitary did not stop to consider the merits of what his nephew was calling to and saw only disaster for his people if they accepted the call • Abu Talib, on the other hand, saw that Muhammad meant no harm and did not call for anything wrong and thus considered it his duty to extend his support and protection to him Responses to the call
14. • Abu Lahab took immediate action to demonstrate his disapproval of his nephew • His two sons were married to the Prophet’s two daughters – Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum • He ordered his sons to divorce the Prophet’s daughters and they complied Abu Lahab
15. • Though the Prophet encountered hostility when he proclaimed his message on top of the hill of al-Safa, the effect of that proclamation was tremendous • Every household in Makkah was talking about the new message and what change it would bring about in the lives of the Arabs • The elders of Makkah were soon in council discussing what steps they needed to take The effect of the call
16. • Source: ‘Muhammad – Man and Prophet’ by Adil Salahi End