611 CE / Private Propagation. 2nd Year of Prophethood
EVENTS
Important events and incidences that took place
With Makkah being the hub of the Arabs, it was also the capital of idols and stone graven images. The Prophet knew very well the difficulty of the mission that lay ahead of him. Working in such an atmosphere, the call to Islam assumed a cloak of secrecy to ensure a gradual system of conversion in a manner that would make it difficult for Quraysh, the Makkan tribe, to interfere.
The Prophet logically begun his Divine task at home and then moved on to close associates. It was these people who responded to the divine call and readily embraced this new faith. From amongst those who converted during the beginnings of the Divine call were Khadijah, the Prophet’s wife, his adopted son Zaid bin Harithah, his cousin ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, and his cherished friend Abu Bakr. These were the individuals who professed Islam on the very first day of the call.
Thereafter, Abu Bakr, through his own personal efforts, invited ‘Uthman bin Affan, Al Zubair bin ‘Awwam, ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Awf, Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas, and Talhah bin Ubaidullah. Among the early Muslims also were Bilal bin Rabah, Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah, Al-Arqam bin Abi Al-Arqam, Fatimah bint Al-Khattab (the sister of ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab), Khabbab bin Al-Aratt, Abdullah bin Masud and many others.
LESSONS & WISDOMS
611 CE / Private Propagation
A closer look at the events; in search of deeper meanings and drawing lessons
The Prophet chose to firstly proclaim the message of Islam to those closest to him in a private manner and this lasted for nearly three years. The following lessons can be derived from this:
1) As a general rule in calling others to Islam, preference should be given to a strategy that secures the greatest benefit to Islam and the Muslim, so long as it remains working within the Islamic framework of acceptable conduct. This part of the Prophetic Call shows us that the strategy of the Prophet was based on wisdom and vision not emotion or haste.
2) The Prophet, being the leader of a growing community, protected them from annihilation by making the call secret as this was a certain outcome had the message been given openly. From this we gage the principle that certainty takes precedence over uncertainty; in that it was perhaps only probable that the Muslims succeeded with open preaching whereas annihilation was more certain.
3) The commandments in the early revelations (see Edicts & Rulings) addressed the Prophet directly but his disciples took them as applying to themselves, and so like him they would keep long vigils at night. They were quick to learn all the pieces of revelation that were coming to the Prophet and were the most proactive of his followers in worshipping God. They followed the example of the Prophet and were content with it, without wanting to exaggerate in it in anyway.
***
After a short pause, revelation began descending copiously with the reoccurring themes of early revelation revolving around Glory of God, of His Indivisible Oneness, his Truth, Wisdom, Goodness, Mercy, Bounty, and Power; and by extension it continually referred to His signs, the marvels of nature, and to their harmonious working together which testified so eloquently to the Oneness of their sole Creator.
EDICTS & RULINGS
611 CE / Private Propagation
Revelation and rulings particular to this year
The Prophet was divinely guided by God to undertake a secret calling before openly proclaiming the message of Islam to his own people. This guidance was issued through the first six verses of the 74th chapter of the Quran at night,
You who are enveloped in your cloak!
Arise and warn.
Magnify your Lord.
Purify your clothes.
Shun all filth.
Another night soon after this, he was whelmed by further commands telling him to intensify in his worship,
O the One Wrapped in piety! (Prophet Mohammed)
Stand up for worship during the night, except for some part of it.
For half the night, or reduce some from it.
Or increase a little upon it, and recite the Qur’an slowly in stages.
Indeed We shall soon ordain a heavy responsibility upon you.
CONTENTIOUS NARRATIVES
611 CE / Private Propagation
Claims of Plagiarism
We are currently working on producing a polemical rebuttal about this controversial topic. Please subscribe to our mailing list from the home page to be notified of its release.