Seerah · About 613 CE · Makkah

The Public Call

In about 613 CE, after several years of quietly spreading the message of Islam among close companions and family, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received a divine command to make his call to Islam public. This pivotal moment is marked by the revelation in Surah al-Shuara, where Allah instructs him to warn his nearest kin. This command led the Prophet to gather the people of Quraysh at the hill of al-Safa to deliver his message.

According to a well-attested account in Sahih al-Bukhari, the Prophet stood on al-Safa and called out to the various clans of Quraysh. When they had assembled, he asked them if they would believe him were he to say that an enemy was approaching to attack. They affirmed his honesty, having known him as al-Amin, the trustworthy. He then proclaimed his role as a warner sent by Allah, cautioning them against idolatry and urging them to worship the one true God. This declaration marked the beginning of the public call to Islam.

The reaction among the Quraysh was mixed but largely hostile. Abu Lahab, the Prophet's uncle, was particularly scornful, exclaiming, "May you perish! Did you gather us for this?" His words reflected the broader discontent among the Quraysh, who found the Prophet's message deeply unsettling. It was not just the monotheistic theology that offended them but also the implications for their social and economic order. The Kaaba, with its idols, was central to Makkah's status as a religious and commercial hub, and the Prophet's message threatened to undermine this.

Furthermore, the call to abandon ancestral traditions and embrace a new way of life was seen as a direct challenge to the authority and prestige of the Quraysh's leading families. The Prophet's message advocated for social justice and equality, which threatened the existing hierarchy and power dynamics within the tribe. This confluence of religious, social, and economic factors fueled the Quraysh's opposition and set the stage for the trials that the early Muslim community would face.

Commentary

The public call to Islam marks a significant transition in the Prophet’s mission, from a private to a public phase. The command to warn his kin, as established by the Quranic reference in Surah al-Shuara, emphasizes the importance of starting with those closest to him. The gathering at al-Safa, corroborated by Sahih al-Bukhari, is a key moment that illustrates the initial resistance the Prophet faced. Abu Lahab's hostile response is emblematic of the broader Qurayshi disapproval, which was rooted in both theological disagreements and the perceived threat to their socio-economic interests.

The event is well-attested in Islamic tradition, though the exact year is inferred rather than precisely dated. The implications of the Prophet's message for the Quraysh's religious practices, economic prosperity, and social hierarchy explain why it was met with such resistance. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for appreciating the challenges the early Muslim community encountered and the resilience required to persevere in the face of opposition.

On the sources: The public call is well attested. Its exact year is inferred from the traditional three years of private call.