God Arises
Affirmation of Prophethood
~ 264 ~
When Muhammad, may peace be upon him,
conveyed the message of Islam to his paternal
uncle, Abu Talib, the latter did not accept it, saying,
“I cannot abjure the religion of my father.” But it is
interesting to note his reaction to his own son, Ali,
coming under the prophet’s influence. In his book,
The Ideal Prophet
, Khwaja Kamaluddin records him
as saying, “Well, my son, he (Muhammad) will not
call thee to anything save that which is good;
therefore thou art free to cleave unto him” (p. 211).
After being entrusted with the divine mission, the
Prophet called his people together for the first time
near Mount Safa. Before conveying his message to
the people assembled there, he first asked them,
“What is your opinion of me?” They all replied in
unison, “We have never seen anything but truth in
you.” This distinguished historical record of the
Prophet’s life prior to his prophethood is
unparalleled in history, and is such as no poet,
philosopher, thinker or writer can lay claim to.
When Muhammad, may peace be upon him,
proclaimed his prophethood, the Makkans, who
were thoroughly acquainted with his virtues, could
