Commencement of Public Preaching — 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 Commencement of Public Preaching.
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. 180–181 (PDF pp. 204–205)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Pillars of Islam in the Early Era] | Next: [Invitation to Kinsmen] »
Historical Account
A state of silent and concealed preaching was still in practice and approximately three years had passed since the prophetic commission of the Holy Prophetsa. The fourth year had begun when divine command was revealed that:
“O Prophet! Declare openly that with which thou art commanded”
[Al-Ḥijr (15:95)]
Shortly thereafter the following verse was revealed:
“And warn thy nearest kinsmen”
[Ash-Shu‘arā’ (26:215)]
When these injunctions were revealed, the Holy Prophetsa stood upon Mount Ṣafā and called out to every tribe of the Quraish by name in a resonating voice. When all had gathered, the Holy Prophetsa 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 Prophetsa 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 Prophetsa addressed him saying, تَبًّا لَكَ اَلِهٰ ذَا جَ مَ عْ تَنَا “Muḥammad [peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him] woe unto you! Have you gathered us for this?” Then everyone dispersed mocking.
[Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, Kitābut-Tafsīr, Bābu Qaulihī Wandhir ‘Ashīratakal-Aqrabīn, Ḥadīth No. 4770]
[Tārīkhuṭ-Ṭabarī, By Abū Ja‘far Muḥammad bin Al-Jarīr Ṭabarī, Volume 2, p. 228, Bābu Dhikril- Khabri ‘ammā kāna min Amri Nabiyyillāhisa ‘inda Ibtidā’illāhi Ta‘ālā……, Dārul-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]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 1)
Section: VI-Commencement of Prophethood | Navigation: « Previous: [Pillars of Islam in the Early Era] | Next: [Invitation to Kinsmen] »