On entrusting the Messenger of Allah (s.

On entrusting the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) with the Divine task of carrying out his blessed call, he was told to begin with his household. Ibn Hisham, in his 'Sirah' says: "...Then the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) began relating about Allah's bounty- -the Prophethood and secretly communicating it to those of his household whom he trusted most..." (17) Thus, he talked to Imam Ali (a.s.) and Khadijah about his Message and later on to Zaid bin Harithah.

No one except these, and some others of his close household, knew about it. Imam Ali bin Hussein (a.s.), in a speech about the Islam of his father, Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.), said: "....and he believed in Allah, the Exalted, and in His Messenger. He preceded the others in Islam and in reciting prayers by a three year interval."(18) On his early acceptance, Imam Ali (a.s.) himself said: "...I was the third of the trio (The Prophet, Khadijah and himself).

Nobody else in this world had accepted Islam. I would even see the divine light of revelation and message and smell the heavenly fragrance of prophethood..." Having passed the stage of calling his close household, the Message came to the stage of calling potential individuals whom the Prophet (s.a.w.) believed would be responsive to his call. So, a number of people embraced Islam. They were mostly the youth of Mecca, the deprived and oppressed.

They met to recite the Glorious Qur'an and to obtain information about the preachings of the religion of Allah, the Exalted. At that time, it was an underground movement. THE FIRST AMONG THE CALLERS TO ISLAM He, Allah, the Exalted, told His Messenger to invite other members of his tribe, Bani Hashim, so as to widen the circle of the Message: "And warn your tribe of near kindred. And lower your wing (in kindness) unto those believers who follow you. And if they disobey you, say: Lo!

I am innocent of what you do." Holy Qur'an (26:214.216) On receiving, from his Exalted Lord, the command to warn his nearest kin, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) ordered Imam Ali (a.s.) to invite them to a banquet. They came to the Prophet's house, forty in number. After dinner, the Messenger told them: "O Bani Abd Al-Muttalib! Allah has sent me to all creation, and to you in particular. He said. 'And warn your tribe of near kindred'.