At the time...

After the dinner, the Prophet wanted to address the guests, but Abu Lahab interrupted and prevented him from it till the time all the guests dispersed. Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) said: I repeated the procedure under the orders of the Messenger of Allah (S) and again he was prevented from addressing the audience.

I again organized a dinner on the third day and after that the Holy Prophet (S) addressed his relatives: “O sons of Abdul Muttalib, by Allah, I don’t know of any young man who was appointed to his people better than me. I have brought the well-being of the world and the hereafter for you. Allah has commanded me to call you to Him.

Thus, who will help me in this matter, so that he may be my successor and legatee?” Ali (a.s.) has described their reaction thus: All of them turned away and did not accept. Thus, I, who was the youngest of all, and the sharpest and most sensitive of them, said: I will be your helper and vicegerent, O Messenger of Allah (S). The Holy Prophet (S) tapped my back and said: He is my brother, my successor and my vicegerent among you. Listen to him and obey him.

After that people arose laughing and said to Abu Talib, “He is commanding you to listen to your son and to obey him.”[^1] Polytheist employed every means to obstruct the mission of the Prophet, but he also observed steadfastness and perseverance. One day Quraish leaders came to Abu Talib, uncle of Prophet and said: “O Abu Talib, you are senior in age and…