And thus...

And thus, so We try some of them by others so that they say: Are these they upon whom Allah has conferred benefit from among us? Does not Allah best know the grateful? (6:52-53) During the first years of his mission, people of Quraysh dispatched some representatives to ask about the Holy Prophet. They went to the Jews: “We have come here to seek your advice regarding the event that is taking place in our town.

A young orphan thinks that he has been sent by Rahman (the All-beneficent God); and we do not know any person by this name except for one living in Yamamah.” The Jew asked for the characteristics of the Holy Prophet: “Who are his followers?” They replied, “The lowliest persons!” The great Jewish scholar replied smilingly, “This is the same Prophet whose signs are predicted in our Holy Book.

His nation will be his worst enemies.”[^52] Of course, the rapid inclinations of the oppressed towards Islam did not mean securing the interests or benefits of special social classes; rather, they implied the negation of the worldly domination of man over man; they implied the adoption of Allah's government and domination—an immediate threat to the power of the aggressors and oppressors that excited their severe opposition.

This matter had happened with the previous prophets as well: But the chiefs of those who disbelieved from among his people said: We consider you but a mortal like ourselves, and we do not see who have followed you but those who are the meanest of us at first thought and we do not see in you any excellence over us; nay, we deem you liars.

(11:27) The chief of those who behaved proudly among his people said to those considered weak to those who believed from among them: Do you know that salih is sent by his Lord? They said: Surely, we are believers in what he has been sent with. (7:75-76) Inviting His Relatives to the New Religion After three years of his mission, the Holy Prophet received an order from Allah to invite his relatives to his faith: And warn your nearest relations, and be kind to him who follows you of the believers.

But if they disobey you, then say: Surely, I am clear of what you do. (26:214-216) Having received this revelation, the Holy Prophet ordered Imam `Ali to prepare some food and invite the sons of `Abd al-Muttalib to hear God's revelation. Imam `Ali (s) carried out the order. Nearly forty people showed up. Among them were Abu-talib, Hamzah and Abu-Lahab.