Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم ) at Makkah

After the first revelation came to Muhammad(صلى الله عليه وسلم ) from Almighty God, the first person to believe in him was his wife Khadijah.

Preaching of God's Message:

The Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلم ) began to speak secretly of God's message to those who were close to him and whom he could trust. At that time Mecca was going through hard times. There was very little food to be had. Abu Talib, the Prophet's uncle, who had taken care of him after his grandfather's death, was finding it very difficult to feed his large family.

The Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلم ) said that he and another uncle, al-Abbas, who was a rich man, would each bring up one of Abu Talib's children in order to help him. The Prophet(صلى الله عليه وسلم ) took Ali and his uncle took Jafar.

Three years passed and one day the Archangel Gabriel came to Prophet Muhammad(صلى الله عليه وسلم ) and ordered him to start preaching openly to everyone.

So Prophet Muhammad(صلى الله عليه وسلم ) told the people of Mecca that he had something very important to tell them. He stood on a hillside in Mecca, called Safa, and they gathered around to hear what he had to say. He started by asking them if they would believe him if he say that an army was about to attack them behind this mountain. They answered that indeed they would, because he never lied. He then told them that he was the Messenger of God, sent to show them the right way, and to warn them of terrible punishments if they did not follow him in worshipping only Allah and none other. Abu Lahab, one of the Prophet's uncles who was among the listeners, suddenly stood up and said, 'May you perish! Did you call us here just to tell us this?'

Then the crowd dispersed and Prophet Muhammad(صلى الله عليه وسلم ) was left alone. A few days later Prophet Muhammad(صلى الله عليه وسلم ) tried again. A feast was prepared in his house for all of his uncles. After the meal he spoke to them and said, "O sons of Abd al-Muttalib! I know of no Arab who has come to his people with a better message than mine. I have brought you the best news for this life and the next. God has ordered me to call you to Him. So which of you will help me?" All the men kept silent. Then Ali, his cousin, stood up and said: "O Prophet of God! I will help you." Then all the men left, laughing because only one young boy had agreed to help Prophet Muhammad(صلى الله عليه وسلم ).