§The First Muslims
§Abu Lahab
When we invite other people to Islam it is called DA’WAH = Invitation. At this time the Prophet (sw) was teaching the early Muslims whatever the Angel Jibrael revealed to him secretly.
The Prophet Muhammad (sw) received Wahy for a total of 20 years. Angel Jibrael would come to the Prophet once a year in Ramadan to listen to him read the Qur’aan correctly.
The Prophet (sw) was
unlettered, which means he could not read or write. So he (sw) would memorise
each verse (Ayat) or chapter (Surah) that was revealed to Him.
This is also a miraculous thing and proves He (sw) did not make up the
words of the Qur’aan.
The first few Surahs are called ‘Makkan’ Surahs as they were revealed in
Makkah.
Prophet Muhammad
(sw) would share these revelations with his closest family and friends. They
said the Shahadah when accepting Islam:
‘I bear
witness that there is no God except for Allah and Muhammad is his messenger’.
The first Muslim
convert was a woman. Alhamdulilah! It was his wife Khadija (rd). The one that loved him
and supported him all the time.
Then it was his
adopted son Zayd, and his cousin Ali (rd). Ali (rd) was just a child at the time, about 11-13 years old.
Ali (rd) had a close relationship
with the Prophet (sw) as Ali’s father Abu Talib raised them together. Later Ali
(rd) then lived with the
Prophet (sw).
The next person to
accept Islam was the Prophet’s best friend Abu Bakr (rd). All these people
accepted Islam the first day they received the message.
Abu Bakr then
invited others to Islam, such as Uthman Ibn Af’aan, Zubayr Ibn Awaam, Sa’ad and Talha
Soon after the
secret preaching, Allah commanded the Prophet (sw):
‘And warn your tribe
of near kindred’. (26:214)
Allah told the
Prophet (sw) to now give the message of Islam to his whole family and tribe.
Including his
uncles, who were the powerful
leaders of Makkah
.
He (sw) invited all his family to
a meeting. He then presented Islam to them. Before the Prophet could continue
Abu Lahab interrupted and shouted,
‘I swear by Allah
this is evil. You must stop him before others do.’
Abu Lahab
did not like what the
Prophet was teaching as it went against their forefathers beliefs. They did not
want to believe in one God or an after life.
Abu Lahab was an evil man and never
changed. Later when the Prophet tried to talk to the people on Mount Safa
again he was rude and
interrupted.
A whole Surah is named after him where him and his
wife, who would throw rubbish on the Prophet.
Both of them are
promised hell fire. But they weren't
scared or sorry.
It is called Surah Lahab or sometimes it’s called
Surah Masad.
SURAH LAHAB:
May both the hands of Abu Lahab be destroyed – and they are destroyed!
His wealth did not benefit him in the least, nor did whatever he
earned.
He will soon enter the flaming fire.
And so will his wife; carrying a bundle of on her head.
A rope made from palm fibre around her neck!’
