Chief of the Prophets — Page 50
Chapter Four 50 you pay heed to my call you shall become the inheritors of all the bounties of religion and the world. Now who of you shall be my helpers in this cause? A dead silence prevailed over the entire gathering as if everyone was under a spell. Suddenly a 13 year old boy, thin and weak with watery eyes, appeared from one side and broke the silence and said, “Though I am among the weakest and youngest of all, I shall support you. ” This was ‘Alī bin Abī Ṭālib ra. Thereupon, Muḥammad sa looked at his kinsmen and said, “If you but knew, listen to the voice of this child, and believe. ” Most of the participants resorted to only laughing, but Abū Lahab who had a deeply rooted mischievous nature, addressed his elder brother, Abū Ṭālib, saying, “Now Muḥammad demands that you follow your son and take advice from him. ” 1 First Center for Propagation As the number of Muslims increased, so too did the opposition. In those days, there was no place for the persecuted Muslims to gather as a community in support of each other and to convey the new faith. Therefore, Muḥammad sa desired to set up a center for these purposes and adopted the house of a well-off new Muslim, Al-Arqam bin Abī al-Arqam ra. The work of preaching, teaching, and training of the Muslims continued at this house for three years. According to historians this house remained the center of Muslim preaching from the beginning of the 4 th year of his prophethood to the end of 6 th year. ‘Umar bin al-Khaṭṭāb ra was the last person to accept Islam in this house. The Opposition of Muḥammad sa and its Causes Why did the Quraish oppose Muḥammad sa ? Did his teaching bring the downfall of their worldly standing and reputation? Were the religious doctrines described by Muḥammad sa leading them astray? 1 Aṭ-Ṭabarī