The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 181
VI - Commencement of Prophethood 181 When these injunctions were revealed, the Holy Prophet sa stood upon Mount Ṣafā and called out to every tribe of the Quraish by name in a resonating voice. 1 When all had gathered, the Holy Prophet sa said, “O Quraish! If I inform you that behind this hillock is a large army ready to wage an assault upon you, will you believe me?” Apparently, this seemed unlikely, yet everyone responded saying, “Yes, most definitely we shall believe you, for we have always found you truthful in speech. ” The Prophet sa responded, “Hearken then! I inform you that the army of Allāh’s chastisement approaches. Believe in God that you may be saved. ” When the Quraish heard these words, they burst into laughter and Abū Lahab, the paternal uncle of the Holy Prophet sa addressed him saying, جَمَعْتَنَا � َ َلِهٰذ � َ تَبًّا لَك “Muḥammad [peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him] woe unto you! Have you gathered us for this?” Then everyone dispersed mocking. 2 Invitation to Kinsmen During these days, the Holy Prophet sa instructed Ḥaḍrat ‘ Alī ra to make arrangements for a feast and invite the Banū ‘Abdil-Muṭṭalib so that the message of truth be delivered to them. Hence, Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī ra made arrangements for a feast and the Holy Prophet sa invited all of his immediate relatives, who at that time, more or less, amounted to 40 people. When they finished their meal, the Holy Prophet sa attempted to make an address, but the wretched Abū Lahab said something which caused all the people to disperse. Upon this, the Holy Prophet sa said to Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī ra , “We have lost this opportunity, but arrange for another feast. ” Thus, the Holy Prophet sa gathered his relatives once more. This time the Prophet sa addressed them saying: “Look here! I have brought unto you the like of which has been brought to no other tribe by any man. I call you to God. If you pay heed to my call you shall become the inheritors of all the bounties of religion and this world. Now tell me which of you shall be my helpers in this cause?” Complete silence had overtaken the gathering when suddenly a feeble thirteen year-old boy stood up with tears in his eyes and said, “Although 1 Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, Kitābut-Tafsīr, Bābu Qaulihī Wandhir ‘Ashīratakal-Aqrabīn , Ḥadīth No. 4770 2 * Tārīkhuṭ- Ṭabarī, By Abū Ja‘far Muḥammad bin Al-Jarīr Ṭabarī, Volume 2, p. 228, Bābu Dhikril- Khabri ‘ammā kāna min Amri Nabiyyillāhi sa ‘inda Ibtidā’illāhi Ta‘ālā. . . . . . , D ārul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, Second Edition (2002) * Tārīkhul- Khamīs, By Ḥusain bin Muḥammad bin Ḥasan Dayār Bakrī, Part 1, p. 279, Dhikru Mā Waqa‘a fis-Sanatith-Thāniyati wath-Thālithah, Muwassasatu Sha‘bān, Beirut