Table of Contents
The First Days After Revelation
When the Prophet ﷺ returned from the Cave of Hira after the first revelation, trembling and fearful, his life had already changed. However, the public call had not yet begun. In those first days, his task was to absorb, believe, and be strengthened. The Qur’an describes the weight of this responsibility:
إِنَّا سَنُلْقِي عَلَيْكَ قَوْلًا ثَقِيلًا
“Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word.”
(Surah al-Muzzammil 73:5)
The word was heavy in its meaning, its responsibility, and its impact on his heart. Allah سبحانه وتعالى gave him comfort and reassurance, not by removing the task, but by promising help and support.
Among the earliest revelations at this stage was Allah’s direct command to begin calling, but still in a limited and gentle way:
يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُدَّثِّرُ . قُمْ فَأَنذِرْ . وَرَبَّكَ فَكَبِّرْ . وَثِيَابَكَ فَطَهِّرْ
“O you who covers himself [with a garment].
Arise and warn.
And magnify your Lord.
And purify your garments.”
(Surah al-Muddaththir 74:1-4)
This was the beginning of prophethood as a mission. The Prophet ﷺ was now commanded to stand up, warn, glorify his Lord, and purify his life outwardly and inwardly. Yet the way this call would first spread was careful, measured, and mostly hidden from public view.
Secret Da‘wah: A Quiet Beginning
In the early period in Makkah, the Prophet ﷺ did not begin by addressing crowds or confronting the idols of Quraysh openly. Instead, he invited people privately, mostly among those closest to him in family and friendship. Many scholars mention that this phase lasted about three years, although exact timings are not the main focus for a beginner. What is important is to understand the wisdom in starting quietly.
The Prophet ﷺ first shared the message with those who already knew his truthfulness and character. These were people who had seen him as Al-Amin and As-Sadiq, and so they were prepared to trust that his claim to prophethood was sincere. He did not shout at the marketplace, but he sat in homes, walked with friends, and spoke to hearts one by one.
This secret da‘wah was a time to build a small but strong core of believers before facing open hostility. The Muslims at this stage prayed quietly and learned the new verses of the Qur’an in private gatherings. The Makkan world around them continued in its habits of idolatry and injustice, mostly unaware that a new faith was quietly growing in their midst.
This period was also one of patience and trust. There were no major miracles displayed before the Quraysh and no large confrontations. The miracle was the transformation of hearts, starting with a handful of individuals who would later carry Islam to all corners of the earth.
The First to Believe
The honor of being the first to embrace Islam belongs to several distinct individuals in different categories. The earliest circle of believers formed around the Prophet ﷺ in his own home and closest relationships. Their responses have been preserved as a source of pride and example for the Ummah.
Among women, the first believer was his noble wife Khadijah رضي الله عنها. After the first revelation, when he returned to her terrified, she reassured him by reminding him of his character. She said:
كَلَّا، أَبْشِرْ، فَوَاللَّهِ لَا يُخْزِيكَ اللَّهُ أَبَدًا، إِنَّكَ لَتَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ، وَتَصْدُقُ الْحَدِيثَ، وَتَحْمِلُ الْكَلَّ، وَتَقْرِي الضَّيْفَ، وَتُعِينُ عَلَى نَوَائِبِ الْحَقِّ
“No, by Allah, rejoice, for Allah will never disgrace you. You keep ties of kinship, you speak the truth, you bear the burdens of others, you honor the guest, and you help in all matters of truth.”
(al-Bukhari, Muslim)
She believed in him completely and did not hesitate. Allah later reminded the Prophet ﷺ of her support, as mentioned in authentic narrations, as a great favor in his life.
Among men, the earliest believer was Abu Bakr al-Siddiq رضي الله عنه. He was a close friend of the Prophet ﷺ even before Islam. When he heard of the Prophet’s claim to revelation, he did not argue or delay. His title “al-Siddiq” comes from his deep, immediate belief. He used his influence and trustworthiness in Quraysh to invite others, and through him, some of the greatest companions entered Islam.
Among children, the first to believe was Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه, who was living in the house of the Prophet ﷺ. When the message reached him, he was still very young. He saw the Prophet ﷺ’s character daily and accepted his call without the hesitation that might come from worldly attachment or social pressure. His early Islam is a sign that the message spoke to hearts of every age.
Among freed slaves and those not from the powerful clans of Quraysh, the first to believe was Zayd ibn Harithah رضي الله عنه, who was very close to the Prophet ﷺ and considered like a son before adoption was later reformed in Islam. Zayd’s faith would lead him to become a commander in battles and one of the most trusted of the Prophet’s companions.
In addition to these, a number of early companions accepted Islam through direct personal contact with the Prophet ﷺ or through the invitation of Abu Bakr. Among them were Uthman ibn Affan, al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, Abdur Rahman ibn Awf, Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas, and Talhah ibn Ubaydillah رضي الله عنهم. All of these would later become among the greatest supporters of Islam.
The Prophet ﷺ said about those first believers:
سَبَقَكَ بِهَا سَهْلُ بْنُ بَيْضَاءَ
“Sahl ibn Bayda’ has preceded you in this.”
(al-Bukhari)
This hadith and others like it show that being early in faith carries a special virtue. Those who believed when Islam was weak and persecuted earned rewards different from those who joined later when Islam was strong.
The earliest believers gained a special rank because they accepted Islam before it was socially safe or popular. Their example shows that true faith is to follow truth even when it is difficult.
Quiet Gatherings and Early Worship
As more people joined Islam, there was a need for teaching, recitation, and prayer. At this stage, Muslims could not gather openly in the Ka‘bah area or announce their new faith publicly. Instead, they met in small, private groups where they could learn the Qur’an and pray together.
It is reported that one of the main early meeting places in Makkah was the house of al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam رضي الله عنه, located near Safa. This house became a safe center for the small Muslim community. In it, new believers would be brought secretly to meet the Prophet ﷺ, learn the basics of faith, and recite the newly revealed verses.
In these early days, the Qur’an that was revealed focused heavily on Tawhid, belief in the Hereafter, and purification of the soul. The Arabs were being called away from idolatry toward worship of one God alone, Allah, who says:
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ . اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
“Say, He is Allah, One.
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.”
(Surah al-Ikhlas 112:1-2)
The Muslims prayed, reflected, and built their faith in these secret gatherings. Their worship at this time was simple, but full of sincere devotion. At night, the Prophet ﷺ and those with him stood in prayer for long portions of the night. Allah addressed him:
يَا أَيُّهَا الْمُزَّمِّلُ . قُمِ اللَّيْلَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
“O you who wraps himself [in clothing].
Stand [to pray] the night, except for a little.”
(Surah al-Muzzammil 73:1-2)
Prayer at night strengthened their patience and trust in Allah. The early Muslims did not yet have all the rulings and details of Islamic law. What they had first was a deep, heart-level connection with Allah through Qur’an and Salah.
Early Challenges: Isolation and Social Pressure
Even though the call was still mostly secret, becoming Muslim in Makkah was not easy. The new believers often stood alone in their own households. A father might be Muslim while his wife was still a mushrikah, or a son might believe while his parents remained idol worshipers. This created tension inside families long before the wider society even noticed.
Some new Muslims faced mockery and threats as soon as their faith became known. The leaders of Quraysh did not yet begin widespread torture, but the beginnings of pressure were already present. People were told to abandon Muhammad ﷺ, accused of being foolish for leaving the religion of their forefathers, or warned about losing their social position if they continued.
The Qur’an acknowledged the pain of being rejected by one’s own people, and even by one’s family, and gave comfort and guidance. Allah said:
وَاصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ
“And be patient over what they say.”
(Surah al-Muzzammil 73:10)
The companions learned from this that faith requires patience with hurtful words and accusations. They also learned that their job was not to argue angrily, but to continue worshiping Allah and trusting His plan, especially while Islam was still in its earliest phase.
At the same time, the Muslims were not ordered to fight or resist physically. In this stage, the command of Allah was to bear patiently, establish Salah, and invite with wisdom. Fighting would come much later, in a different context and under different rulings.
Qur’anic Support and Strengthening of Faith
The early Makkan surahs played a central role in strengthening the hearts of the Prophet ﷺ and the first Muslims. These chapters are short, powerful, and rich with imagery of the Last Day, Paradise, and Hellfire. They also present the greatness of Allah in creation and history.
Allah reminded His Messenger ﷺ in this early period that He had not abandoned him:
مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ
“Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor has He detested you.”
(Surah ad-Duha 93:3)
And He promised that the future was brighter than the past:
وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَىٰ
“And surely the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life].”
(Surah ad-Duha 93:4)
Verses like these gave deep comfort to the Prophet ﷺ as he faced disbelief, mockery, and the heavy responsibility of carrying revelation. They also taught the early Muslims to see beyond their immediate difficulties and to look toward the reward of the Hereafter.
Another early surah, ash-Sharh (al-Inshirah), emphasized that hardship is always accompanied by ease:
فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا . إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
“For indeed, with hardship comes ease.
Indeed, with hardship comes ease.”
(Surah ash-Sharh 94:5-6)
A central lesson of the early call to Islam is that hardship and ease come together. Faith is not the absence of trials, but the certainty that Allah’s help and reward are present within and after those trials.
Through these verses, the first Muslims were trained to see their suffering as part of a greater divine plan. Their small, hidden community in Makkah was being prepared, slowly and steadily, for the much greater mission that lay ahead.
Gradual Transition toward Public Preaching
Although this chapter focuses on the early, mainly secret call, it is important to see how it leads to the next stage. The early da‘wah built a foundation of sincere believers, strong in conviction, before the Prophet ﷺ was commanded to call publicly.
When Allah later revealed the command:
وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الْأَقْرَبِينَ
“And warn your closest kindred.”
(Surah ash-Shu‘ara 26:214)
this marked the beginning of a new phase. However, it came after years of quiet invitation and patient teaching. The early call to Islam was therefore not separate from the public call, but its necessary preparation.
In this initial period, the Muslims learned to love Allah, trust His Messenger ﷺ, and value the Qur’an above all worldly things. Their small numbers did not diminish the importance of their faith. In the sight of Allah, these few believers were the seeds of an entire Ummah.
The early call to Islam in Makkah shows that great change often begins in hidden places, with sincere hearts, strong faith, and quiet perseverance before the world is ready to listen.