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1. The beginning of da'wah
Da'wah (دعوة): inviting people to Allah – the chief mission of the Prophet ﷺ.
- After reaching the age of 40, the Prophet ﷺ began this mission by Allah's command.
- The command to call people came while the shock of the first revelation had not fully passed:
(74:1–2) – meaning: "O you who are wrapped in a cloak! Arise and warn (the people)." (Surah al-Muddaththir)
2. The Makkan period – stages of da'wah
| Stage | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1 | First he told his family and friends |
| 2 | He invited his relatives to a meal, explained the revelation and asked for their support |
| 3 | He climbed the hill of Safa, called the general public and delivered the message |
Why the Quraysh opposed him
- The message seemed new and bitter to them.
- It was directly against their way of worship.
- It would make them lose their influence.
Secret da'wah – the first three years
- Those who accepted Islam: some of his family, some of his friends, good people in society, hanifs (those who did not take part in shirk in the Jahiliyyah), and slaves persecuted by their masters.
- They were given education and spiritual training (tarbiyah) in the house of al-Arqam (RA).
- This first school is remembered to this day as "Dar al-Arqam".
3. Public da'wah and opposition
Leaders of the opposition
Abu Lahab, Abu Jahl and others.
Harsh words
They tormented the Prophet ﷺ by calling him a liar, a sorcerer, a madman, a poet, and one without descendants (cut off). They warned the public not to pay attention to him.
Physical abuse
- They spread thorns on the path he walked.
- They twisted his neck.
- While he was in sujud, they put the rotten entrails of a camel around his neck.
- They threw small stones at him at first, and later beat him until he was wounded.
- They persecuted the Muslims too, men and women alike; slaves were treated cruelly.
- The Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims stayed patient and did not strike back.
4. The hijrah to Abyssinia
- When the persecution could neither be borne nor resisted, he sent Companions to Abyssinia (Habashah, Ethiopia).
| Stage | Year | Number |
|---|---|---|
| First | Year 5 of prophethood | About fifteen (15) |
| Second | Year 7 of prophethood | A hundred people |
- The Quraysh went to Abyssinia to try to bring them back – they failed.
- The just ruler, the Najashi (Negus), gave the Muslims protection.
Nubuwwah = prophethood. "Year 5 of prophethood" = the 5th year after prophethood began.
Hamzah and 'Umar (RA) accept Islam
- When Hamzah (RA) and 'Umar (RA) accepted Islam, the Muslims gained some courage; but persecution and death threats continued.
5. Abu Talib's protection and the schemes of the Quraysh
- The Prophet's ﷺ uncle, Abu Talib, played a great part in protecting him.
- The Quraysh asked Abu Talib to stop the preaching, or else hand the Prophet over to them – he refused.
- They tried to turn him away by offering land, women and gold.
- They proposed a compromise in worship between the two sides.
- The Prophet ﷺ agreed to none of this.
6. The social boycott – Shi'b Abi Talib
- They placed the Prophet's ﷺ family, the Banu Hashim and the Banu al-Muttalib, under a social boycott.
- They hung the boycott document in the Ka'bah.
- They were kept apart in a valley called Shi'b Abi Talib for three years.
- They suffered without water or food; the cries of small children could be heard far away.
- Anyone found helping them secretly was punished.
- Seeing their pitiful state, some young men tore up the document hanging in the Ka'bah → they were freed.
7. The Year of Sorrow and the journey to Ta'if
- Shortly after their release, Abu Talib and Khadijah (RA) died – the two who had supported him until then.
- This gave the Quraysh an opportunity; the trials became harsher than before.
- The Prophet ﷺ went to Ta'if and introduced himself to the tribal leaders as Allah's Messenger.
- They mocked him, set ruffians on him who threw stones, and drove him out.
- Even then the Prophet ﷺ prayed for the good of those people.
- On returning to Makkah he had to live under the protection of Mut'im ibn 'Adi.
8. The pledges of 'Aqabah
- At a place called 'Aqabah he met some pilgrims from Yathrib (Madinah) and introduced himself as Allah's Messenger.
- They had already heard about the last prophet from the Jews, so they accepted.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| First 'Aqabah (the next pilgrimage season) | Twelve (12) came to Makkah, accepted Islam and took the pledge |
| A teacher sent | Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr (RA) was sent to teach Islam in Yathrib |
| Second 'Aqabah – "Bay'at al-'Aqabah 2" | In year 12 of prophethood, 72 people from Yathrib came, renewed the pledge and invited the Prophet ﷺ to come to Yathrib |
Bay'ah (بيعة) = a pledge / an oath of allegiance.
9. The hijrah to Madinah
- In response to the invitation, the Muslims went first to Madinah.
- Fearing danger if the Prophet ﷺ also left, the Quraysh decided to kill him.
- While they were surrounding his house, the Prophet ﷺ left safely.
- The Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (RA) passed through many trials and reached Madinah.
- With the Prophet's arrival, Yathrib came to be called "Madinat an-Nabi" (the City of the Prophet).
10. Challenges in Madinah
Continued harassment by the Quraysh
- They stirred up the Jews of Madinah against the Muslims and warned the pilgrims of Madinah.
- Raids on the southern border of Madinah, seizing livestock, setting fire to orchards.
- Finally they marched with armies.
Battles
- The Muslims fought without traditional military training; the Quraysh, with their great forces, were defeated.
- The Muslims received the help of angels → their faith in Allah grew.
- Three battles: Badr, Uhud, al-Khandaq (the Trench).
- 6 AH: the peace treaty of Hudaybiyyah – the Quraysh broke it within a short time.
- After further events, Makkah came under Muslim control → Islam spread rapidly.
The Jews
- 1 AH: a treaty with the Jews.
- They conspired with the Quraysh and acted against the treaty → they were expelled from Madinah → Madinah became peaceful.
11. The international spread of Islam
- The Prophet ﷺ conveyed the message of Islam by letters to small kingdoms and great empires.
- Islam began to spread beyond Arabia; in the time of the caliphs the Islamic state expanded.
- He won the hearts of the very people who had persecuted him, until they held him dearer than their own lives – through patience and the right approach.
Quick revision
- The command for da'wah: 74:1–2 (al-Muddaththir); after the age of 40.
- Public call on the hill of Safa; the first 3 years secret; Dar al-Arqam = the first school.
- Leaders of the opposition: Abu Lahab, Abu Jahl.
- Abyssinia: year 5 of prophethood (~15 people), year 7 (100 people); the Najashi's protection.
- Shi'b Abi Talib: a 3-year boycott (Banu Hashim, Banu al-Muttalib).
- Death of Abu Talib and Khadijah (RA) → Ta'if → Mut'im's protection.
- 'Aqabah: 12 people → Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr → in year 12 of prophethood 72 people (Bay'at al-'Aqabah 2).
- Yathrib → Madinat an-Nabi; Badr, Uhud, al-Khandaq; Hudaybiyyah 6 AH; the treaty with the Jews 1 AH.