Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
10. The Prophet in Makkah
~ 228 ~
This is how the historian Ibn Kathir describes an
incident that occurred at the beginning of the
Prophet’s mission:
‘Ali, son of Abu Talib and cousin of the
Prophet, came into the Prophet’s house while
he and Khadijah were praying. He asked his
cousin what they were about. The Prophet
told him that this was God’s religion, the path
that God had chosen Himself. It was to call
people to this path that He had sent His
prophets to the world. “Believe in One God,”
the Prophet said. “He has no partner. Worship
Him alone. Forsake the idols Lat and ‘Uzza.’
“I have heard nothing of this nature before
today,” ‘Ali replied. “I cannot make a decision
until I have talked the matter over with my
father, Abu Talib.” But the Prophet did not
want anyone to know about his secret until
the time had come for it to be made public.
“‘Ali,” he said. “If you are not ready to
become a Muslim, keep the matter to yourself
“‘Ali waited for one night, then God made his
heart incline towards Islam. He went back to
the Prophet early in the morning. “What was
