He did not pass by a tree or mountain but that it met him...

He did not pass by a tree or mountain but that it met him with the greeting `Peace be upon you O Apostle of Allah.' ”[^1] It is reported that 'Ali said: “I remember when I used to go with the Prophet into the valley, how he did not pass by a stone or tree but that it exclaimed, `Peace be upon you O Apostle of Allah', while I stood and listened.” A man called `Afif (al‑Kindi) related that, “I was a merchant; I came to Mina one day during the *hajj (*pilgrimage) season.

al‑`Abbas ibn `Abdi'l-Muttalib was also a merchant. I therefore came to trade with him.. As we were thus occupied, a man came out of a tent to pray: He faced the Ka'bah, and soon a woman came out and likewise stood in prayer. A youth also came out to pray with them. I exclaimed, `O `Abbas, what is this religion?

We do not know what this religion is.' He answered, `This is Muhammad ibn `Abdillah, who claims that Allah called him to be a messenger, and that the treasures of Kisra (Khusraw, the Sasanid Persian Emperor) and Qaysar (Caesar, the Byzantine Emperor) will be opened for him. This is his wife Khadijah, daughter of Khuwaylid, who has believed in him.

The youth is his cousin 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, who also believed in him.' ” `Afif then concluded: “Would that I had believed in him on that day so that I would have been the second man to follow him.” Ibn Ishaq reported that when the Prophet came out of the tent he looked at the sky, and when he saw the sun had inclined, he rose up to pray. Ibn Ishaq also mentioned Khadijah's standing in prayer behind him.

It is related on the authority of Mujahid ibn Jabr ( a well‑known Qur'an interpreter and traditionist), who said: “Among the favors which Allah bestowed upon 'Ali ibn Abi Talib and the great good He willed for him, was this: The people of Quraysh suffered a great shortage of food. Abu Talib had many children.

Thus the Messenger of Allah said one day to his uncle `Abbas, who was one of the wealth­iest men among the sons of Hashim, `O `Abbas, your brother Abu Talib is a man with many children, and you can see for yourself how people are suffering as a result of this crisis. Come let us go and relieve him and his children.' They thus went to him and discussed the matter. He answered: `Leave `Aqil (a brother of 'Ali) .and take whomever you wish.' The Messenger of Allah took .

'Ali into his home, and `Ali remained with the Messenger of Allah until Allah called him to be a prophet.