So, I ask you to say two phrases, light on the tongue, heavy...

So, I ask you to say two phrases, light on the tongue, heavy in the scales, by which you will master the Arabs and the Ajams (non-Arabs), the nations will follow you and by them you will enter Paradise, and will be saved from Hell: to bear witness that there is no god save Allah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah.

Whoever responds to this and supports me to carry it out will be my brother, vicegerent, helper, inheritor and successor..."(19) While Abu Lahab criticised and warned the Messenger (s.a.w.) against carrying on his mission, on the other hand, Abu Talib offered his support and said to the Messenger (s.a.w.): "GO ahead with Your errand! By God I will never stop protecting and defending you."(20) At this time, Ali bin Abi Talib, the youngest of them all, stood up and said, "O Messenger of Allah!

I will back you up in this matter." The Messenger (s.a.w.) told him to sit down. But seeing nobody else responded, he stood once again and offered his readiness to serve him, but the Messenger (s.a.w.) told him again to sit down. The Messenger repeated his words. Still nobody responded, except Imam Ali (a.s.) whose voice was raised once again in answer to the call, announcing his full support to the cause. It was his firm commitment and strong faith that broke their silence.

Since, for the third time there was no response except from Imam Ali (a.s.), the Messenger (s.a.w.) turned to him and said: "Sit down.

You are my brother, vicegerent, minister, inheritor, and successor after me."(21) The group stood up to leave and somewhat sarcastically addressed Abu Talib, saying: "Congratulations on accepting the religion of your nephew who made your son commander over you!"(22) CONFRONTING DISBELIEVERS After tribal members refused the invitation, the Divine Mission entered a delicate stage of confrontation.

The first ones to lead the conflict were Abu Lahab and his wife, who started encountering the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) and planting difficulties in his way, in an attempt to force him to change his mind and give up his blessed task. But the call of Allah, the Exalted, advanced, clearing its way through society in the Age of Ignorance. The invitation to embrace Islam moved from privacy to generality.