THE FIRST REVELATION AND DAWAH

 

THE FIRST REVELATION : Once, whilst the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was engrossed in Ibaadat in the cave of Hira, Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) appeared to him.  Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) said, “Recite” , The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, “! am not of those who read”. Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) then embraced him with great strength and said again, “Recite”, and again He replied, “I am not of those who read”. Hazrat Jibraeel (alaihis salaam)  held him close and then released him and said, “Recite with the Name of your Lord Who created, man from a clot of blood, Recite, for your Lord is the Most Generous, Who taught writing by the Pen, (who) taught man that which he knew not.” This was the first revelation that was bestowed upon the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) remembered these verses and went home. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) arrived home and asked his family members to cover him with a blanket. After some time, Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) informed Bibi Khadija (Radi Allahu Anha) of what had occurred in the cave. Bibi Khadija (Radi Allahu Anha) comforted the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and told him that he had nothing to fear for, since Almighty Allah shall never allow any harm to come to him. She said, “You are kind towards your relatives, You carry the burden of others, You earn and feed the poor, you are a kind host towards musafirs (travellers), and for the sake of Haq (righteousness) you come to the assistance of all those in need.” After this, Bibi Khadija (Radi Allahu Anha) took Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to her cousin brother Waraqa bin Naufil. Waraqa was that person who was a Muwahid (Believed in One Allah). He was tired of those who worshipped many gods and idols. He could easily translate from the Injeel and from Hebrew into Arabic. He had become very old and could not see any more. Bibi Khadija (Radi Allahu Anha) asked him to listen to what the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) had to say. Waraqa asked Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to explain what he had seen. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) explained the entire incident in the Cave of Hira to him. Waraq said, “This is the same Angel, which Almighty Allah sent to Hazrat Moosa (alaihis salaam).” He then said, “I wish I would have been healthy and young when you would announce your Prophethood. I wish I could have been alive at that time, when your nation will cause you to leave Makkah.” On hearing this, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Will the People of Makkah cause me to leave Makkah?” He said, “Yes, Whomsoever came as a Nabi like you, found the people of their city to be their enemy.” After this, the Wahi discontinued for a while. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) became uncomfortable and troubled when this happened.

 

Then, one day as he was leaving his home, he heard a voice saying, “Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)” He looked up into the sky and saw the same Angel that appeared before him in the Cave of Hira sitting on a huge chair in the sky. He immediately rushed home, lay down, and asked to be covered in a blanket (shawl). It was during this, that the first verses of Surah Mudassir were revealed to him wherein Almighty Allah commanded, “O the Covered One. Rise, and then deliver the warning. And announce the Magnificence of Your Lord. And Keep Your Clothes pure. And Keep away from idols.” [Bukhari Shareef Vol.1]

 

After these verses were revealed, Almighty Allah commanded the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to invite people towards Islam and in obedience to the command of Almighty Allah, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) started to preach and invite the people towards Islam.

 

THE THREE STAGES OF DAWAH - THE FIRST STAGE : During the first year, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) preached and propagated Islam very discreetly and secretively. During this time, the first woman to accept Islam was Bibi Khadija (Radi Allahu Anha). From amongst the free men, the first to accept Islam was Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddique (Radi Allahu Anhu). Amongst the children, the first to accept Islam was Hazrat Ali (Radi Allahu Anhu), and amongst slaves, the first to accept Islam was Hazrat Zaid ibn Haarith (Radi Allahu Anhu). Through the Dawah of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (Radi Allahu Anhu), Hazrat Uthman, Hazrat Zubair bin Awaam, Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf, Hazrat Sa=ad ibn Abi Waqqas, and Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullah (ridwaanullahi ta aala ahalaihim ajmaeen) also quickly accepted Islam. After a while, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jar=rah, Hazrat Abu Salmah Abdullah bin Abdul Asad, Hazrat Arqam bin Arqam and Hazrat Uthman bin Maz’oon (Ridwaanullahi ta aala alaihim ajmaeen) also accepted Islam. With the exception of those mentioned, various others became blessed with being the companions of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). [Zirkaani vol.1 pg 246]

 

THE SECOND STAGE : After three years of discreetly spreading Islam, a huge group of Muslims became well prepared. Almighty Allah then revealed the following verse of Surah Shura upon the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).“Wa Anzir Asheeratakal Akrabeen”, in which Almighty Allah commanded the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to give the message of warning to those who were close and dear to him. Then, one day, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) stood on the Mount of Saffa and said, “O People of The Quraish! O My People! Would you believe me if I said that their was an army hiding behind this mountain waiting to attack you?” All of them replied by saying, “yes, we will definitely believe you, because we always saw you as Honest and Trustworthy.” He (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) then said, “Then say, There is none worthy of worship but One Allah. I am thus announcing this and warning you concerning the Wrath of Allah. If you do not bring faith, then the Wrath of Allah shall befall you.” On hearing this, all the people of the Quraish became angry, including the Prophet’s uncle Abu Lahab. They all walked away saying harsh words to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

 

THE THIRD STAGE : During the fourth year, after announcing his Nabuiwat, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was commanded by Allah to openly invite people to Islam. The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) openly started to propagate Islam, and spoke against Shirk (associating partners with Allah) and idol worshipping. The people of Makkah opposed the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and began oppressing the Muslims.

 

THE KUFAAR SEND A DELEGATE : Obeying the command of Almighty Allah, The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) openly spread the word of Islam. For this, he had to face various difficulties and hardships, but he did not stop spreading the word of Allah. The Kufaar saw this and were astonished at his perseverance. They gathered together  to try and establish why the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was persevering in such adversity. They finally came to a decision to send a delegate to him. The person that was appointed, was  Utbah bin Rabi=a. He went to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)! What is your aim in spreading the word of Islam? Do you wish to become the Ruler of Makkah? Do you desire wealth and respect or do you wish to marry in a very exalted family? Tell me what is in your heart and I guarantee that if you stop spreading the word of Islam, the entire Makkah will be at your feet and every one of your wishes shall be fulfilled.” After hearing Utbah=s talk, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) recited a few verses of the Holy Quran. On hearing these verses Utbah became very amazed and inspired and he began to tremble. He placed his hands on the blessed lips of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and said, “I give you the Oath of our family. Please stop. My heart is being torn apart by the exalted verses you are reciting.” Utbah left the Court of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), but a huge reformation had taken place in the life of Utbah. He returned to the leaders of the Kufaar and told them that the word of the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is not Magic or any other ordinary word. It is something Divine. He asked them to let the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) remain in peace and not to interfere in anything he did or said. The Kufaar were not pleased with Utbah=s advice and now began to cause more hardships to the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and his companions.

 

A DELEGATION VISITS ABU TAALIB: The Kufaar, were now frustrated by the Prophet’s (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) opposition of idols and false gods. They thus took a delegation to Abu Taalib complaining against the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Abu Taalib explained to them very gently and then sent them away. The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) still continued to spread the word of Allah. He continued to speak out against idol worshipping and corrupt practices of the Arabs. This caused immense anger in the Quraish and once again, they formed a delegation of all the leaders. This delegation once again went to Abu Taalib. They said, “Your nephew insults our deities. Either you move aside and surrender him to us or you join him and come against us, so that we may decide his faith.” Abu Taalib understood the ill intention of the Quraish. He knew that they intended to make the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) shaheed. He called the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and with great love and gentleness, he said, “O my nephew! Have mercy upon your aged uncle and do not place such a heavy burden upon me that I shall not be able to bear. My opinion is that you should temporarily refrain from spreading Islam until all is settled.” After listening to his uncle=s words, the Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, “O my uncle! By Allah! if the Quraish give me the sun in my one hand and the moon in my other hand, I shall still not stop spreading the word of Allah. Either Almighty Allah completes what has been commanded or I sacrifice myself in spreading the Deen-e-Islam.” When Abu Taalib heard this, he became inspired and said, “O my beloved nephew! Go, I am with you. As long as I am alive, none shall be able to even harm one hair on you.” [Seerat ibn Hishaam vo.1 pg 266]