FIRST THREE YEARS OF SECRET CALL
As mentioned earlier, the Makkans were descendants of Ismail ibn Ibrahim (A.S.), who built the Kaaba on Allah's orders. This made Makkans superior over other Arab lands. Initially, they worshiped Allah, but over time, Shaitan (Satan) deceived them, leading to the placement of idols in the Kaaba, which they devotedly worshiped. Due to their commitment to idols and rejection of Allah, the Prophet (pbuh) began his call to worship Allah in secret.
He started with his household, and Khadija (his wife), Zaid ibn Haritha (a freed slave and close companion), Ali ibn Abi Talib (his cousin), and Baraka all embraced Islam on the first day. Next, he invited close friends and acquaintances, including Abu Bakr (his best friend), who accepted Islam on the first day. Abu Bakr, a respected community member, invited others he trusted, and Uthman ibn Affan, Az-Zubair ibn Awwam, Abdur Rahman, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Az-Zuhri, and Talha ibn Ubaidullah also embraced Islam (known as the "four runners"). Other early Muslims included Bilal, Abu Ubaida, and many more.
At this stage, people continually entered Islam, and the number of Muslims grew. This was due to the power of the message and the Prophet's (pbuh) piety before his prophethood. His reputation as a trustworthy and honest person (Al-Amin) helped to attract others to the faith.
Some narrations suggest that the Prophet's (pbuh) lifestyle and character were so exemplary that they inspired many people to believe in the message of Islam. As people began to accept Islam, the message spread rapidly, and the Prophet (pbuh) started to meet with the Muslims secretly in a house owned by Al-Arqam to teach them the etiquette of Islam.
During this time, Malayka Gabriel (Angel Gabriel) taught the Prophet (pbuh) how to pray. Initially, the Prophet (pbuh) was taught how to perform ablution during his first call. Later, the Prophet (pbuh) established two rak'ahs (units of prayer) to be performed twice daily for the believers, one at night and one early in the morning.
To maintain secrecy, the Prophet (pbuh) would appoint someone to discreetly call the believers to prayer, one by one, at their homes. They would then gather in a hidden location, such as a valley in a mountain, to perform their prayers. According to a narration from Ibn Hisham, the Prophet's (pbuh) uncle, Abu Talib, once stumbled upon them and advised them to remain constant in their prayers.
It's worth noting that the early Muslims faced persecution and had to be cautious to avoid detection by the non-Muslim Makkans. Despite these challenges, the Prophet (pbuh) continued to guide and support his followers, and the community grew stronger in their faith.
THE SECOND FACE OF THE CALL
During that time, if a leader of Quraish granted protection to someone, the person was free to do as they pleased, without obstacles from anyone, as long as they didn't harm others. In other narrations, Abu Talib gathered the Prophet's (pbuh) other uncles and asked them to also protect the Prophet (pbuh). Encouraged by his uncle's protection, the Prophet (pbuh) stood on Mount As-Safa and called out to the people of Quraish, shouting "O Sabahah!" to gather their attention for an important announcement.
The people of Quraish assembled, and those who couldn't attend heard about it from others. Abu Lahab was also present. The Prophet (pbuh) asked, "If I were to tell you that there were some horsemen in the valley planning to raid you, would you believe me?" They replied, "Yes, we have never known you to lie." The Prophet (pbuh) then invited them to affirm the oneness of Allah, believe in his messengership, and warned them of the afterlife, where disbelievers would face hellfire. He urged them to repent, as he would have no power to protect them on that day.
The Prophet (pbuh) also presented proofs to demonstrate that their idols were powerless and couldn't benefit them in any way. He emphasized that Allah alone was worthy of worship and that he was the true Messenger of Allah. This powerful message was a call to the people of Quraish to repent and embrace the truth of Islam.
Abu Lahab immediately replied; "perish you all the day! Have you summoned us to tell us such a thing?" Then a revelation came immediately.
تَبَّتۡ يَدَاۤ اَبِىۡ لَهَبٍ وَّتَبَّؕ
"Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab. (111:1).
The people of Quraish rejected the message, but it was already spreading like wildfire throughout the land. Many were quick to disparage the message, saying that the Prophet (pbuh) was insulting their gods, forefathers, and even claiming that he was possessed by jinn. Despite this, some individuals acknowledged the authenticity and beauty of the message, but still struggled to accept Islam. The Prophet's (pbuh) teachings shone bright, reflecting the truth, and his reputation as a trustworthy and respected member of society made his message all the more compelling.
As the people began to recognize the greatness of the message, their leaders grew increasingly fearful. They tried to suppress the message, but couldn't stop the Prophet (pbuh) from preaching. Abu Lahab, in particular, went around shouting, "O men, do not listen to him, for he is a liar; he is an apostate!" Other disbelievers joined in, trying to discredit the Prophet (pbuh) and his message.
Despite these efforts, the message of Islam continued to spread, and the Prophet (pbuh) remained undeterred in his mission to share the truth with his people. The leaders of Quraish, however, became more desperate to silence him, and their opposition only grew stronger.
Abu Lahab will be going round and shouting, "O men do not listen to him for he is a liar; he is an apostate._ Including the other disbelievers.
It is said in the Quran, 15:6.
قَالُوۡا يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِىۡ نُزِّلَ عَلَيۡهِ الذِّكۡرُ اِنَّكَ لَمَجۡنُوۡنٌؕ
"and they say: o you (pbuh) to whom the Dhikr has been sent down! verily, you are a mad man".
THE STRUGGLE
The early converts to Islam faced severe persecution, particularly those who were weak and without strong family ties. They were subjected to physical and emotional abuse by the disbelievers. Even those with strong families were not spared, as their own family members would often turn against them.
The disbelievers tried to discredit the Prophet (pbuh) by spreading false propaganda and confusing others. They would often contrast the Quran with ancient mythology to undermine people's interest in the message. An-Nadr bin Harith, who was once a respected member of the Quraish tribe, initially defended the Prophet (pbuh), saying, "O people of Quraish, Muhammad is your brother from the most respected family, he himself is the most trustworthy, he possesses the most good behavior among the youth, and he preaches the truth to you, and you call him names. I swear he is none of what you are saying."
However, An-Nadr later traveled and was influenced by the kings of Persia to worship idols. Upon his return to Mecca, he began speaking out against the Prophet (pbuh) and would often follow him to overshadow his teachings. He even hired songstresses to sing songs that would distract people from the Prophet's (pbuh) message and undermine his authority.
Despite these challenges, the Prophet (pbuh) remained steadfast in his mission to spread the truth and guide his people to the right path. His perseverance and trust in Allah ultimately prevailed, and the message of Islam continued to spread, despite the efforts of those who sought to suppress it.
Allah says in (Quran 31:6).
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنۡ يَّشۡتَرِىۡ لَهۡوَ الۡحَدِيۡثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍۖ وَّيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا ؕ اُولٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ مُّهِيۡنٌ
"But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales, without knowledge (or meaning), to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah and throw ridicule (on the Path): for such there will be a Humiliating Penalty."
They proposed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that he allow them to worship both their gods and Allah together. According to Ibn Jareer and At-Tabarani, the idolaters made this offer to the Prophet (pbuh). Al-As bin Wail As-Sahmy said to the Prophet (pbuh), "Let us worship what we currently worship, and we will also worship what you worship. If you find any good in our practices, it will prove that ours are better than yours.
Allah said to that in Suratul Kaafirun:
قُلْ يٰٓاَيُّهَا الْكٰفِرُوْنَ
Say: O ye that reject Faith!
لَاۤ اَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُوْنَ
I worship not that which ye worship,
وَلَاۤ اَنْتُمْ عٰبِدُوْنَ مَاۤ اَعْبُدُ
Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
وَلَاۤ اَنَا عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدْتُّمْ
And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship,
وَلَاۤ اَنْتُمْ عٰبِدُوْنَ مَاۤ اَعْبُدُ
Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
لَكُمْ دِيْنُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِيْنِ
To you be your Way, and to me mine.
As the time for the pilgrimage to the Kaaba approached, the leaders of Quraish gathered at the house of Al-Waleed to discuss how to silence the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and prevent him from spreading his new faith to the pilgrims. They considered various options to discredit him. Some suggested labeling him a soothsayer, but this was rejected. Others proposed claiming that he was possessed by jinn (spirits), but this was also dismissed due to the lack of evidence. Some suggested calling him a poet, while others proposed accusing him of practicing witchcraft, but these ideas were also rejected. Ultimately, they agreed to tell the pilgrims that he was a powerful magician.
Within a few months of the fourth year of the Prophet's (pbuh) call, the leaders of Quraish realized that their efforts to stop him from spreading Islam only led to more people embracing the faith. They convened a meeting of twenty-five men, including Abu Lahab, the Prophet's (pbuh) uncle, Abu Jahl, and other prominent figures. Their goal was to launch a strong campaign against the Prophet (pbuh), subject new converts to torture and harassment, and malign his character.
However, the Prophet's (pbuh) exceptional character and his uncle Abu Talib's protection made it difficult for his enemies to harm him. Abu Lahab attempted to stop the Prophet (pbuh) by mistreating him, forcing his sons to divorce the Prophet's daughters, Rukayya and Umm Kulthum, and mocking him when his sons died. Additionally, Abu Lahab's wife, Umm Jameel bint Harb, who was known for her bad temper and abusive language, would often hatch intrigues against the Prophet (pbuh). She would tie bundles of thorns and strewn them in his path to wound him. She is referred to in the Quran as "the carrier of firewood."
When she heard about the plan to stop the Prophet (pbuh), she went to the mosque to throw pebbles at him. However, Allah took away her sight, and she saw only Abu Bakr. She insulted him and left. Abu Bakr asked the Prophet (pbuh) about the incident, and he explained that Allah had prevented her from seeing him.
It's worth noting that the Prophet's (pbuh) character and reputation were so impeccable that even his enemies struggled to find fault in him. Despite their best efforts, they could not malign him or stop him from spreading the message of Islam.
Some people, including Abu Jahl and Umar Ibn Khattab, two of the strongest and most violent youth of Quraish, severely tortured and harassed the Prophet (pbuh) and his followers. According to Al-Bukhari, narrated by Ibn Masoud, "Once, while the Prophet (pbuh) was praying in the Kaaba, Abu Jahl asked his companion Uqbah bin Abi Muait to bring him a dirty fetus of a she-camel to place on the Prophet's (pbuh) back. It was his daughter Fatima who removed it." Uqba bin Al-Muait once attended an audience of the Prophet (pbuh) and spat in his face. Ubai bin Halaf grounded old decomposed bones and blew the powder on the Prophet (pbuh), and many more maltreatments occurred. The Prophet (pbuh) invoked the wrath of Allah upon them.
If the Prophet (pbuh) himself, who had protection from his uncles, was still being maltreated, the newly converted Muslims faced even more severe maltreatment, especially those with weak clans and the slaves. It was not easy for them to bear the pains. They were tortured, harassed, and sometimes big stones were placed on them. It was during this time that Abu Bakr bought and freed Bilal. May Allah's blessings be upon them all.
Due to this, the Prophet (pbuh) advised the Muslims to keep their conversion a secret, both in actions and words. One day, the Muslims were on their way to meet the Prophet (pbuh) at a secret place, but the disbelievers recognized them and started beating them. Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (one of the Muslims) retaliated and beat one of the disbelievers, shedding his blood. This was the first blood shed in Islamic history.
To protect the Muslims, the Prophet (pbuh) decided to hold their meetings in a house owned by Al-Arqam in As-Safar, so that their gatherings could be kept secret.
THE MUSLIMS MIGRATED TO ABYSSINIA/ETHIOPIA
At the middle of the fifth year, the harassment and torturing to the Muslims were no more tolerable.
Then Allah revealed (Quran 39:10)
قُلۡ يٰعِبَادِ الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اتَّقُوۡا رَبَّكُمۡ ؕ لِلَّذِيۡنَ اَحۡسَنُوۡا فِىۡ هٰذِهِ الدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةٌ ؕ وَاَرۡضُ اللّٰهِ وَاسِعَةٌ ؕ اِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصّٰبِرُوۡنَ اَجۡرَهُمۡ بِغَيۡرِ حِسَابٍ
"Good is (reward) for those who do well in this world, and Allah's earth is spacious (so if you can't worship Allah at a place, then go to another)! Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full without reckoning".
his verse instructed Muslims to migrate to a place where they could worship Allah with a sound and peaceful mind. The Prophet (pbuh) knew that the Negus, a Christian king of Abyssinia, was a truthful and fair ruler, so he advised Muslims who could no longer bear the harassment to seek asylum there. In Rajab of the fifth year, twelve men and four women secretly left for Abyssinia at night. Upon arrival, they were warmly welcomed by the king. Among them were Uthman bin Affan and his wife. According to the Prophet (pbuh), these individuals were the first to migrate in the cause of Allah, following in the footsteps of Abraham and Lot.
On another occasion, the Prophet (pbuh) went to a gathering place where a large number of people would meet and began reciting Surah An-Najm in his beautiful and melodious voice. It was the first time for the people to be shocked by hearing such sweet and powerful words; they realized that these words were not ordinary. The people were mesmerized by the Prophet's (pbuh) recitation, and they listened with rapt attention, recognizing the extraordinary nature of the words.
They were touched and their heart were softened to an extend that when the prophet pbuh reached verse 62,
فَاسۡجُدُوۡا لِلّٰهِ وَاعۡبُدُوۡا
"So fall you down in prostration to Allah and worship him Alone."
Then, all of them prostrated involuntarily, overcome with fear of God. They rose, realizing that it was indeed Allah's message that had softened their hearts, but still, they refused to listen. The news spread, and the emigrants in Abyssinia received false information that all Makkans had embraced Islam. So, they decided to return to Makkah, only to discover that it was not true. The Prophet (pbuh) advised them to return for their own safety.
However, for the second time, 83 men and 18 women migrated to Abyssinia. The leaders of Quraish could no longer tolerate this and decided to pursue them. They sent two representatives to ask the King of Abyssinia to return their people. But, after some interaction between the Muslims and the king, the king affirmed the prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh) and told the two representatives to return with disapproval, refusing to hand over the Muslims. He assured the Muslims of their safety on his land.
QURAISH LEADERS APPROACHED ABU TALIB AGAIN
Despite the torture and harassment from the disbelievers, the number of Muslims continued to grow at an increasing rate. The leaders of Quraish met again to plot against the Prophet (pbuh) and silence him once and for all, even if it meant killing him. They approached Abu Talib, the Prophet's uncle, and demanded that he stop his nephew. Abu Talib was distressed and sent for the Prophet (pbuh), conveying the disbelievers' message. The Prophet (pbuh) responded, "O my uncle, by Allah, if they put the sun on my right hand and the moon on my left hand and tell me to abandon this course, I will not do it." He stood to leave, but Abu Talib called him back, saying, "By Allah, I will never reject you. Go and share your message."
The leaders of Quraish returned to Abu Talib, offering Amara bin Al-Waleed bin Al-Mugheerah, a clever and hardworking youth, in exchange for the Prophet (pbuh). Abu Talib refused, saying, "This is unjust. You give me your son for me to take care of, and I should give you my nephew for you to kill him? I will never accept this." The disbelievers presented other offers, but Abu Talib turned them down.
HAMZA CONVERT
The leaders of Quraish, frustrated by their inability to obtain Abu Talib's permission, plotted to kill the Prophet (pbuh) without his approval. On one occasion, Abu Jahl encountered the Prophet (pbuh) and severely insulted him, threatening harm and even disparaging his family. A slave girl reported this incident to Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, one of the Prophet's uncles. Feeling his pride offended, Hamza went to the Ka'ba, where he found Abu Jahl with the Quraish leaders. Hamza struck Abu Jahl with his bow and warned him, "Do you insult my nephew and my family? I too follow his religion! Return the strike if you dare." Abu Jahl's companions wanted to retaliate, but he stopped them, acknowledging that he had indeed insulted Hamza's nephew. Hamza then went to the house of Al-Arqam and declared his faith, affirming that Allah is one and Muhammad (pbuh) is His messenger.
ATTEMPTS TO KILL THE PROPHET
On one occasion, Abu Jahl stood before the leaders and people of Quraish and addressed them, saying, "O people of Quraish, Muhammad (pbuh) has brought too much trouble to this land. He finds fault in all our activities and has made our way of life horrible. Tomorrow morning, when he goes to pray in front of the Ka'ba, I will place a very big rock on him, and he will die, allowing us to regain peace."
Early in the morning, the leaders and people of Quraish gathered around the Ka'ba, waiting for the Prophet (pbuh) to appear. Suddenly, the Prophet (pbuh) emerged and started praying. When he went into prostration, Abu Jahl carried a large rock and headed towards Muhammad (pbuh). However, he didn't get closer and threw away the rock, running away. When asked why, he said, "I saw a very big, white, and frightening camel stretching its legs to hit me." Another companion narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said it was Malayka Gibreel (Angel Gabriel), and he would have killed Abu Jahl if he had gotten closer to the Prophet (pbuh).
Ummar bin Khattab, one of the most courageous and fearing youth of Quraish, loved his religion with all his heart and was always present at their programs. He was one of those who severely tortured the early Muslims. Despite his traditions, he admired the stamina of the Muslims, who would never denounce Allah, no matter how much they were tortured.
One day, Ummar set out from his house and headed towards the holy Ka'ba, where he saw the Prophet (pbuh) praying and heard him reciting Surah Al-Haqqah. He was touched but didn't realize the truth due to his ignorance and hatred towards Muslims. Then, the Prophet (pbuh) prayed to Allah, saying, "O Allah! Give strength to Islam, especially through either of these two men you love: Ummar bin Al-Khattab or Abu Jahl."
One day, the Prophet (pbuh) prayed to Allah, saying, "O Allah! Give strength to Islam, especially through either of these two men you love: Ummar bin Al-Khattab or Abu Jahl." It was Ummar bin Khattab who was chosen, despite his hatred towards Islam and his quick temper.
The leaders of Quraish had tried many means to eliminate the Prophet (pbuh) but failed. Ummar ibn Khattab, determined to kill the Prophet (pbuh), stood up, took his sword, and announced to the leaders and people of Quraish, "I am on my way to kill Muhammad (pbuh)." He then set off towards the house of Al-Arqam, where the Prophet (pbuh) would secretly meet with the Muslims.
Halfway to the house, Ummar met his friend Nu'aim bin Abdullah, who was a Muslim. Nu'aim asked Ummar, "Where are you going with that sword?" Ummar replied, "To kill Muhammad (pbuh)." Nu'aim warned Ummar, "Do you think Banu Abdul Munaf and Al-Muttalib will let you be if you kill him?" Ummar responded, "I don't care about what they will do." Nu'aim then struggled with Ummar and suggested, "Go to your house and take care of your sister and brother-in-law first, because they are also Muslims."
Ummar turned and headed towards his sister's house. When he arrived, he heard his brother-in-law, Khabbab, reciting Suratul Taha. Ummar entered the house and asked, "What were you people saying?" Fatima, his sister, replied, "It was nothing." Ummar then grabbed Khabbab and asked him what he was reciting, and Khabbab also said it was nothing. Ummar started beating Khabbab, but Fatima intervened and rescued her husband. However, she received the blows instead.
Fatima and Khabbab both screamed and declared, "Yes, indeed, we are Muslims, and it was the Quran we were reading. Do whatever you want." Ummar, seeing their tears, felt deeply sorry for them and asked, "Give me the leaflet so I can see what Muhammad has brought." Fatima refused, saying, "You are not clean, and this book is only for clean people. As long as you refuse to be in a state of cleanliness, I will not hand over the leaflet to you."
Ummar went and washed down and now he was given the leaflet to read. It was suratul TAHA. When he reached verse 14
اِنَّنِىۡۤ اَنَا اللّٰهُ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّاۤ اَنَا فَاعۡبُدۡنِىۡ ۙ وَاَقِمِ الصَّلٰوةَ لِذِكۡرِىۡ
"Verily! I am Allah! la Allah illa ala(none has the right to be worshipped except me), so worship me and offer prayer perfectly (iqaama sallat)for my remembrance".
Then, Ummar went out of the room, but Khabbab called out his name and said, "I hope Muhammad's (pbuh) prayer has been accepted, because I heard him praying that Allah should strengthen Islam with either Abu Jahl or Ummar." Ummar then went to the house of Al-Arqam, holding the sword. He knocked heavily on the door, and the Prophet's companions were afraid.
Ummar (RA) then went out of the room, but Khabbab called out his name and said, "I hope Muhammad's (pbuh) prayer has been accepted, because I heard him praying that Allah should strengthen Islam with either Abu Jahl or Ummar." Ummar then went to the house of Al-Arqam, holding the sword. He knocked heavily on the door, and the Prophet's companions were afraid. Hamza (RA) ordered them to open the gate, saying, "Open the door, for if he has come in peace, we will welcome him; if he has come with violence, we will welcome him."
Ummar entered and said, "I am here to affirm the oneness of Allah and Muhammad as a true messenger of Allah." From that moment, the faith of all the Muslims increased, and it was indeed a new opportunity. The disbelievers, who were waiting for news of Muhammad's (pbuh) demise, saw the Muslims on top of the mountain with Ummar in front, shouting "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!" (Allah is great! Allah is great!). They were wondered and discouraged, for the one they had waited for to bring good results to increase their so-called faith never returned.
The conversion of Ummar in the sixth year made all the Muslims, whom the Prophet (pbuh) had asked to hide their identity and worship Allah secretly, unveil themselves. From this day on, all the Muslims started to come together and offer prayers in congregation openly and propagate Islam. Because of Islam, Umar would sit and weep whenever he remembered the maltreatment he had inflicted on the early Muslims and the time he had wasted as a disbeliever. He supported Islam with his strength and wealth and always said to Abu Bakr and the other Muslims, "I want to catch up with you."
From one narration, Ummar said, "When I became a Muslim, I went and knocked on Abu Jahl's door. When he opened the gate, I said to him, 'Abu Jahl, I am a proud Muslim now.' Then he backed away from the door without saying anything."
Ummar converted three days after Hamza bin Abd al-Muttalib converted. With this, the leaders of Quraish realized that it would be impossible to eliminate or silence Muhammad (pbuh) from propagating his religion. So, they organized a meeting with the Prophet (pbuh), which even the chief, Uthbah bin Rabi'a, attended, with the aim of negotiating with him. The negotiation was that they would offer him anything he wanted; they would give him kinship, make him the most powerful, and make him the richest in Makkah if he would stop propagating his new religion.
But the prophet pbuh rejected their offer and recited Quran (41:1-5)
حٰمٓ
Ha Mim:
تَنۡزِيۡلٌ مِّنَ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِۚ
A Revelation from (Allah), Most Gracious, Most Merciful;-
كِتٰبٌ فُصِّلَتۡ اٰيٰتُهٗ قُرۡاٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّقَوۡمٍ يَّعۡلَمُوۡنَۙ
A Book, whereof the verses are explained in detail;- a Qur'an in Arabic, for people who understand;-
بَشِيۡرًا وَّنَذِيۡرًا ۚ فَاَعۡرَضَ اَكۡثَرُهُمۡ فَهُمۡ لَا يَسۡمَعُوۡنَ
Giving good news and admonition: yet most of them turn away, and so they hear not.
وَقَالُوۡا قُلُوۡبُنَا فِىۡۤ اَكِنَّةٍ مِّمَّا تَدۡعُوۡنَاۤ اِلَيۡهِ وَفِىۡۤ اٰذَانِنَا وَقۡرٌ وَّمِنۡۢ بَيۡنِنَا وَبَيۡنِكَ حِجَابٌ فَاعۡمَلۡ اِنَّنَا عٰمِلُوۡنَ
They say: "Our hearts are under veils, (concealed) from that to which thou dost invite us, and in our ears in a deafness, and between us and thee is a screen: so do thou (what thou wilt); for us, we shall do (what we will!)"
Uthbah was touched and turned to his people and said, ‘I have never heard strong words like this before.'
On another narration, Uthbah kept on listening attentively and when the prophet pbuh reached verse 13
فَاِنۡ اَعۡرَضُوۡا فَقُلۡ اَنۡذَرۡتُكُمۡ صٰعِقَةً مِّثۡلَ صٰعِقَةِ عَادٍ وَّثَمُوۡدَ
"But if they turn away, say thou: "I have warned you of a stunning Punishment (as of thunder and lightning) like that which (overtook) the 'Ad and the Thamud!"
Then Uthbah held the prophet pbuh mouth strongly and said, “please stop if not the calamity will fall upon us.”
Abu Talib, looking at the several attempts to kill his nephew, feared for his safety and doubted whether the likes of Ummar were in league with the disbelievers to hand Muhammad (pbuh) over to them in public. So, he called upon his two families, Bani Hashim and Bani Al-Muttalib, sons of Abd Manaf, to protect their brother. All of them agreed, irrespective of whether they were believers or not, except for Abu Lahab, who sided with the disbelievers.
NEW STRATEGY TO STOP THE PROPAGATION OF ISLAM
"They repeatedly plotted to eliminate the Prophet (pbuh), but Allah is the master planner. Despite their efforts to stop the propagation of Allah's message, Allah continued to spread His words to mankind. They attempted to suppress the growth of Islam but never succeeded.
In their desperation, they forbade every family in Makkah from having any contact with Muhammad's (pbuh) family, including Bani Hashim and Bani Al-Muttalib. No one was allowed to talk to them, sell food to them, conduct business with them, or even intermarry with them. This was done in an attempt to force them to hand over the Prophet (pbuh) to be killed.
During this period, the family members often went hungry and lived in isolation. They were only allowed to buy food from outside Makkah, and even then, the prices were inflated, making it unaffordable. Abu Talib relocated the family to a valley on the eastern outskirts of Makkah, where they stayed from the seventh to the tenth year of the Prophet's call.
The people of Makkah would buy up all the food that came into the city, leaving little to nothing for the Prophet's family. However, some individuals like Harem bin Hizam (an aunt to Khadija, the Prophet's wife), Abu Bakr, and Umar would smuggle small quantities of food to them.
Despite these challenges, the Prophet (pbuh) continued to pray at the Kaba and propagate his message whenever possible. This was eventually stopped in the tenth year due to the influence of five people, including Hisham bin Amr, Zohar bin Omaiya, and Al-Mut'im bin Adi. These individuals worked tirelessly to secure the freedom of the two families and their return to Makkah."
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