The circle of conveyance was expanding gradually. Happiness caressed the souls that had testified to Islam while the hearts that had not saved themselves from polytheism were in a state of panic. , “Therefore expound openly what thou art commanded.” 1 When the Divine mandate came, naturally, the Master of the Universe (PBUH) could not stay still. He wanted to show his countrymen the path to spiritual and worldly happiness as soon as possible. During this time, he slightly expanded his circle and notified the Meccans of his prophethood and the religion of Islam on Mount Safa. 2

Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) went on top of a high rock on Mount Safa and called out to the Meccans in a loud and resonant voice: O Sahaba! (O Community of Quraysh, come here and convene, I have important news for you!) The Meccans were puzzled. Who was shouting? Were they in the face of danger? Had an enemy invaded their land or was an important message to be forwarded to them? They did not delay in responding to this call and gathered on Mount Safa at once. What had happened? The person making this call was Muhammad-ul Amin (Muhammad the Trustworthy.) What did he want? What news did he bring? What was he going to say? With great curiosity they asked, “O Muhammad, why did you gather us here? What are you going to announce?”

Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) did not lag in his response. At a moment when all minds fully gravitated towards him, when all eyes filled with looks of curiosity were directly focused on him, when all ears paid full attention, and at a moment when everyone was anxiously waiting, he delivered this eloquent response that was filled with several logical proofs:

O Community of Quraysh! Our similarity is like a man who sees the enemy and runs to his family and shouts “O friends!” since he is afraid that the enemy will harm and reach his family before he does . O Community of Quraysh! If I were to tell you there were enemy horsemen on the other side of this mountain and that they were about to attack you in the morning or towards the evening, would you believe me?” They had never heard Muhammadul-Amin (Muhammad the Trustworthy PBUH) tell a lie nor say something that had surpassed the truth. In unison they all replied, “Yes, we affirm your honesty because we have not seen anything but propriety from you. You are not a person who makes false allegations.”

After addressing the public, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) called each of the Qurayshi tribes by their own names and continued speaking: In that case, I inform you of a great punishment that is ahead. Allah the Exalted has commanded me to warn my closest kin of the punishment in the hereafter. I invite you to say, “Allah is One, there is no God.” I am His servant and Messenger. If you accept what I have said, then I guarantee that you will enter heaven. Also know that I cannot be of service to you in this world nor in the hereafter unless you say, “Allah is One, there is no other God but He.” 3

Abu Lahab was baffled in the face of these words that addressed the mind, heart, and soul. He took a rock in his hands and threw it straight towards the Master of the Universe (PBUH) and shouted, “'May you perish for this! Is this what you have summoned us here for?”

Nobody else said anything in dissidence among those who were listening. They only dispersed into whispers of conversation among themselves. With his actions, Abu Lahab now deserved Divine punishment and enmity. He would pay dearly for his violent hostility, lasting grudge, and hate that he had towards Allah’s Apostle (PBUH). Allah heralded his frightening aftermath in Surah al-Lahab:

Perish the two hands of Abu Lahab and perish he! His wealth and what he has earned shall avail him naught, Soon shall he burn in a flaming fire; And his wife, too, bearer of slander. Round her neck shall be a halter of twisted palm-fiber. (al-Lahab: 111/1-5)

Regardless of whoever spoke out in dissidence, Allah would continue to complete our Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) light. For that reason, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was neither afraid of nor shaken by the ugly allegations made against him and was able to continue on his path in an immensely dignified and serious manner.

1. Surah al-Hijr

2. Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) had thought about how he would inform the Meccans of Islam and his prophethood collectively. At last, he deemed it appropriate to go up to Mount Safa. Those who heard his call from among the community would run to him. It was a widespread custom to shout “Ya Sahaba!” from a mountain top or a high summit when one perceived danger, an enemy that was about to attack and capture those that were unguarded, or an adversary who was secretly devising an ambush. Upon hearing this call, the community would quickly make preparations and rush to confront the enemy within the shortest amount of time. ((See: Abu'l-Hasan an Nadwi, as-Siyratu'n-Nabawiyya, p. 87; Tecrid Tercemesi, 9:246.) By going on top of Mount Safa, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was taking a prevalent Arab custom into account.
3. Ibn Sa'd, Tabaqat: 1/199-200; Bukhari, 3/171; Muslim, 1/133-135; Tabari, Tarikh: 2/216