3-5
The numbers grow

            Ali (RA) was under the care of Muhammad (SAS). He once saw him praying with Khadijah (RA). He saw the two making Ruku and Sujud and heard them recite beautiful verses of Quran. Ali (RA) looked at all this with awe. He loved Muhammad (SAS) very dearly. He was admired by all of his cousin’s habits. He would listen to his advice without thinking twice about it. “But I am seeing this for the first time. He never prayed like this before or recited these beautiful verses!”

            Ali (RA) was in deep thoughts. When Muhammad (SAS) finished praying, he inquired about the prayers. Muhammad (SAS) said, “This is the religion of Allah (SWT). Allah has commanded us to follow it. All of His prophets were sent with the same religion.”

Ali (RA) was astonished. He then asked, “And what are these Ruku and Sujud?”

Muhammad (SAS) replied, “Allah has made me his messenger. He revealed his book onto me so that I can guide people who are on the wrong path and convince them to pray to Him. We make these bows and prostrations to Allah (SWT)”.

Ali then said, “This is indeed a nice way of life. So can I also become part of what you are part of? Can I also pray as you do?”

Muhammad (SAS) replied, “Yes my dear brother, Allah is one. He has no partners and there is no one like him. You should also pray to him and leave the idols.”

Ali (RA) said, “Indeed, but let me first ask my father.”

            Ali (RA) could not sleep all night long. He kept thinking about what Muhammad (SAS) said and did. Then when the sun came out, he said, “I believe in you, Muhammad (SAS), and promise to follow you. I don’t have to ask my father for anything; can you teach me how to pray?”

            Muhammad (SAS) taught him the prayer and the verses which were revealed to him thus far. Now whenever Muhammad (SAS) went to prayer, he took Ali (RA) with him.

            Ali (RA) and Zaid (RA) lived together. Zaid (RA) wasn’t going to stay back from what his brother did. He also took Shahadah and learned about Islam gratefully.

            Therefore, the first person to accept Islam was Khadijah (RA) and then Ali and Zaid. After this Abu Bakr (RA) became a Muslim. He was the son of Abu Quhafah Taimi and was the best friend of Muhammad (SAS). He was very impressed with Muhammad’s clean nature and honesty. He respected Muhammad (SAS) and Muhammad loved him as well. As soon as Muhammad told him about Islam, he accepted it right away. When Muhammad told him the beauty of Islam, the following words came out of Abu Bakr’s mouth, “May my parents be sacrificed for you. You said the truth and you are a truthful man. I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah and you are His messenger.”

            When Khadijah (RA) heard about this, she was very pleased. She couldn’t resist so she covered herself and came to Abu Bakr and congratulated him. Abu Bakr’s entrance to Islam gave a lot of support to Muhammad (SAS). He was a kind-hearted and soft person. Everyone in Makkah respected him dearly. He was from the most respected family of Qureish. Trade was his profession and was very good at it. He would receive a lot of profit and would spend it openly. He was also very intelligent and would solve any problem with ease.

            Now Abu Bakr (RA) started spreading Islam. Whoever was impressed with his personality, accepted it right away. The ones to become Muslim through him were: Uthman bin Affan, Zubair bin Awwam, Abdur Rahman bin Awf, Sa’d bin Abi Waqas, and Talha bin Ubaidullah.

            Then Jarrah’s son Abu Ubaidah and Abu Arqam’s son Arqam also became Muslim. The numbers grew slowly as men and women now entered the fold of Islam. Among the women were the daughters of Muhammad (SAS) and Abu Bakr (RA).

The beloved Prophet’s 40^th birthday approached.  Now the realities of this world started opening up to him just as he had anticipated. The answers he was searching for many years finally started to reveal themselves.  The worship for all this time had finally sprung a light in his soul and he had discovered the true guidance.

Muhammad (SAS) would see dreams that would destroy all curtains concealing the truth within.  He realized how his people had fallen into a trap of misguidance.  He knew that the straight path was far from their reach.  He had understood that Allah (SWT) is the only true God and there is none comparable to Him.  Everything is in obedience to Him and He will reward everyone for their good deeds and will punish for their evil actions.

Just as the revelation of truth had made Muhammad (SAS) happy, the realization of falsehood had made him very sad and afraid.  After all, he had been waiting for this for a very long time.  He wondered how his people would react if he said anything to them regarding their false acts.  He told Khadijah (RA) everything.  She listened very carefully and responded, “My husband, do not worry.  How can Shaytan have any effect on a man like you?  You’re truly being guided by God.”

When Ramadan approached that year, Muhammad (SAS) started returning the cave frequently.  Sometimes his family would come to visit him and he would be very happy to see them.  On a few occasions, poor people would come and receive something from him.

A few days of Ramadan had passed by.  One morning as he was resting in the cave of Hira, he suddenly saw an angel.  The angel was very beautiful and was carrying a piece of silk cloth in his hand.  The angel said, “Iqra! (Read!)”

Muhammad (SAS) became very afraid and replied, “Maa Aqra’u. (I cannot read.)”  Saying this, Muhammad (SAS) felt as if the angel was choking him and was crushing his body.  He then let him go and demanded again, “Iqra! (Read!)”

Muhammad (SAS) again replied, “Maa Aqra’u. (I cannot read.)”  Once again, Muhammad (SAS) felt as if the angel was crushing him.  He let him go and said for the third time, “Iqra! (Read!)”

Muhammad (SAS) became worried that if he replied with the same answer, he would be treated the same and might be squeezed harder this time.  So he said, “Maadha Aqra’u? (What shall I read?)”

The angel said, “Read!  In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists), has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).  Read!  And your Lord is the Most Generous, who has taught (the writing) by the pen, has taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran 96:1-5)

Muhammad (SAS) repeated as he was told and memorized it instantly.  Then the angel left.  Now Muhammad (SAS) stood up and looked around, scared.  He was afraid and amazed at the same time.  He thought in his heart, “Who was it that just spoke to me?  Who just made me read something?”  He then emerged from the cave and started walking back home, trembling with fear.  He knew that all of his dreams had been answered and the truth he was searching had been revealed, but he still wondered who was it that stood before him a few moments ago.

Suddenly a voice came from above, “Muhammad!”  Muhammad (SAS) stopped immediately and looked up.  He saw the same angel, in the form of a man, telling him, “Muhammad!  You are the prophet of Allah (SWT) and I am Jibrael.”

Muhammad (SAS) grew more nervous and scared.  His feet had stopped moving and he cringed in fear.  He would look left and right hoping to see something different, but wherever he looked, he saw Jibrael.

Some time had passed but he did not move and stood there trembling.  Khadijah (RA), on the other hand, had sent someone to the cave looking for him.  When he was not found, she asked many relatives his whereabouts.

The angel left and Muhammad (SAS) came to Khadijah (RA) sweating and shaking.  He said to her immediately after returning home, “Cover me with something!  Cover me!”  She immediately covered him with a cloth.  She became very worried regarding her husband’s condition.  When he calmed down, she asked, “Where were you?  What happened?”

Muhammad (SAS) looked at her helplessly.  He looked as if he had encountered something terrifying.  He sputtered, “Khadijah!  What happened to me?”  He then told her about everything he saw and said, “I am afraid for myself.”

Khadijah (RA) was very bright.  She didn’t panic, and instead looked at him with respect.  She smiled and comforted him as she soothed, “My dear husband, be very happy and do as you are doing.  I swear on the One who has my life in His hands, you are indeed a prophet for these people.  You always speak the truth and are trustworthy and compassionate.  You always help the needy and help the people in their matters.  How can Allah (SWT) let a person like you go to waste?”

Muhammad (SAS) felt relieved after hearing his wife.  He became content and fell asleep.  Khadijah (RA), on the other hand, thought carefully about what had happened.  Although she comforted her husband, a bit of fear crept into her heart.  She thought of her cousin Warqah bin Nawfal for advice.

Warqah was very humble and intelligent.  He was first a Jew then looked into Christianity.  He knew the Bible and would translate it into Arabic for others.  Khadijah (RA) came and told him everything.  After hearing this, he said, “He is clean, indeed He is clean, the One that carries my life in His hands.  Khadijah, if you are telling me the truth, then this is the same angel that came to Moses.  By God, your husband will be a prophet of our time.  Tell him to do as he told to do and not to fear for anything.”

Khadijah (RA) returned happily and congratulated Muhammad (SAS).  She told him everything she heard from her cousin and told him he wants to meet Muhammad (SAS).  Then, by the will of Allah (SWT), she became Muslim.

Muhammad (SAS) left to do a tawaf of Ka’bah.  Along his way, he met Warqah who said, “I swear on the One who carries my life His hands, you are the prophet of these people.  This is the same angel that came to Moses.  Nephew!  If you tell everyone about your prophet hood, you will be rejected and denied. They will remove you from your home and even declare a war against you.  Alas, I could stay alive till that time.”

Muhammad (SAS) asked, “So these people will exile me?”

Warqah replied, “Yes.  Whenever a prophet came, his people treated him with disrespect.  If I stay alive to see those days, I will help you to a point only God knows.”

He then reached forward and kissed Muhammad’s (SAS) forehead with love and sincerity.  Muhammad (SAS) then returned home.  On his way, he thought about what Warqah had said and grew worried.  He thought, “This burden of prophet hood has been placed on my weak shoulders.  What would be the result of this?  These people are uneducated and are away from the true nature of God.  They worship idols day and night.  On top of that, they are proud of themselves for this.  How would I call people to the right path?”

An ocean of thoughts flooded to his mind as he waited eagerly for another revelation.