The food seemed insufficiently little...

The food seemed insufficiently little; however, every body was able to eat their fill. Abu-Lahab declared, “This man has hypnotized you.” This statement caused the Holy Prophet to abandon his propagation of the faith on that day and the meeting came to an end with no result. Next day, `Ali (s) once again prepared some food and invited the same group.

This time, the Holy Prophet, after dinner remarked, I do not know of anybody among Arabs who has brought to his people anything better than what I am bringing to you. I am bringing to you the good of this world and the Other World. God has ordered me to guide you all to Him. Now, who is ready among you to help me and he will be my brother and successor?”[^53] Nobody answered.

`Ali (s), who was the youngest among them, said, “O Messenger of God; I will help you.” Then, the Holy Prophet replied, “This is my brother, my representative and my successor.…