Invitation to Kinsmen — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 1
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Invitation to Kinsmen.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: VI-Commencement of Prophethood
Pages: Book pp. 181–182 (PDF pp. 205–206)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Commencement of Public Preaching] | Next: [Dar-e-Arqam – The First Centre for the Propagation of Islām] »
Historical Account
During these days, the Holy Prophetsa instructed Ḥaḍrat ‘Alīra to make arrangements for a feast and invite the Banū ‘Abdil-Muṭṭalib so that the message of truth be delivered to them. Hence, Ḥaḍrat ‘Alīra made arrangements for a feast and the Holy Prophetsa invited all of his immediate relatives, who at that time, more or less, amounted to 40 people. When they finished their meal, the Holy Prophetsa attempted to make an address, but the wretched Abū Lahab said something which caused all the people to disperse. Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said to Ḥaḍrat ‘Alīra, “We have lost this opportunity, but arrange for another feast.” Thus, the Holy Prophetsa gathered his relatives once more. This time the Prophetsa 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
I am among the weakest and youngest of all, I shall support you.” This was the voice of Ḥaḍrat ‘Alīra. When the Holy Prophetsa heard these words of Ḥaḍrat ‘Alīra, he turned to his relatives and advised, “If you but knew, listen to the voice of this child, and believe.” When the participants saw this spectacle, instead of taking a lesson from it, they burst into laughter and Abū Lahab stared at his elder brother Abū Ṭālib, “Lo! Muḥammad [peace and blessings
of Allāh be upon him] orders you to follow your son!” Then these people left mocking at the weakness of Islām and the Holy Prophetsa.
[Tārīkhuṭ-Ṭabarī, By Abū Ja‘far Muḥammad bin Al-Jarīr Ṭabarī, Volume 2, p. 229, Bābu Dhikril- Khabri ‘ammā kāna min Amri Nabiyyillāhisa ‘Inda Ibtidā’illāhi Ta‘ālā……, Dārul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, Second Edition (2002)]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Section: VI-Commencement of Prophethood | Navigation: « Previous: [Commencement of Public Preaching] | Next: [Dar-e-Arqam – The First Centre for the Propagation of Islām] »