Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
9. The Prophetic Method
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field of missionary activity had far-reaching effects,
opening up new opportunities for the Arabs in
political and economic fields also. But it is
important to realize that these advantages were an
indirect result of the Prophet’s struggle: it was not
towards political and economic gain that he himself
directed his efforts.
The Prophet’s whole life shows that the matter to
which he attached basic importance was preaching
of the faith. As soon as he started his active mission
he laid all other matter aside and concentrated
solely on propagating the message of Islam. First of
all he was determined to inform his kinsfolk that he
had been chosen to communicate the word of God
to humanity. For this purpose he called all his
relatives about forty were invited of whom at least
thirty attended to a dinner. After dinner, he
addressed his guests, but he met with little success.
“Banu Muttalib,” he said, “I have been sent to you
in particular, then to mankind as a whole. Who then
will fulfill on my behalf my debts and my
promises? Who will look after my family while I am
away? Whoever does so will be my companion in
paradise.” The Prophet repeated his words, but
