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should others be allowed to publicize their faith, when they are
in the wrong?” The Prophet gave Umar the same reply that he had
given Abu Bakr several years earlier: “We are too few, Umar.”
One thing is quite clear from biographies of the Prophet.When
the task of public preaching devolved upon him, he became very
conscious of the greatness of this task, realizing that it would
require his complete and single-minded attention. He hoped that
his family would look after him financially so that, freed from
having to look for a livelihood, he would be able to concentrate
on his preaching work. He called Abdul Muttalib’s family together
in his own house. There were about thirty family members at
that time. The Prophet told them that he had been granted
prophethood by God. He asked for their support, so that he would
be free to discharge his duties. This is how ImamAhmad describes
the incident, on the authority of Aisha:
‘“Bani Muttalib,’ the Prophet said, ‘I have been sent to you
in particular, and to the whole of mankind in general. Who will
swear allegiance to me and become my brother and companion?
Who will fulfil my debts and my promises on my behalf?Who will
look after my family affairs for me? He will be with me in heaven.’
Someone spoke up: ‘Muhammad, you are an ocean.Who can come
forward and accept such responsibility?’”
TheProphet’sown familywerenot ready toaccept responsibility
for him. Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet’s uncle, was
financially in a position to look after his nephew. Yet even he
remained silent, for fear that this responsibility would devour
his wealth. God, however, helped His prophet, first through the
Prophet’s wife, Khadija bint Khuwailid, and later on through Abu
Bakr, whose wealth saw the Prophet through the years inMadinah.
The Prophet displayed boyish enthusiasm in his efforts to
communicate the faith to others. The historian Ibn Jarir tells,
on the authority of Abdullah ibn Abbas, how the nobles of the
Quraysh had gathered around the Kabah one day, and called for
the Prophet. He came quickly, thinking that they might be feeling
some leanings towards Islam. He was always eager that his people
