TYPES OF PREACHING

It was in the month of Ramadan when an incident took place, which would change the rest of
Muhammad’s life and the course of human history. The Prophet (pbuh) was forty years old and
until now he had lived a relatively normal life. Until this day, he wasn’t well known for
anything apart from his honesty and good character.

The Prophet (pbuh) had dedicated a few days to Allah, away from the world, in seclusion.
Muhammad (pbuh) was alone in a cave in mount Hira, on the outskirts of Makkah when
suddenly the angel Jibrael appeared to him in the form of a man. Prophet Muhammad received
from Allah the first verses of the Qur’an. Then and there, history changed.
The Qur’an continued to be revealed in fragments to Prophet Muhammad over the following
twenty two years. The last words of the Book were revealed to the Prophet shortly before his
death in 632 CE.

The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬preached secretly in the early period of Islam but soon he started to preach the
new religion openly with the help of the Sahabas too.

1. Secret preaching
Many aspects of the life of the final messenger (pbuh) were foretold in the religious scripture
of different religions. This is one of the reasons why some people accepted Islam very quickly.
They could see the qualities and events about the prophet (pbuh) as described in their books.
In many cases, they were waiting for a prophet (pbuh) to come.

The prophet (pbuh) only preached to a close group of friends and family. The ones who
accepted Islam became dedicated to Islam and began to learn, worship and study. They would
hold private meeting where they would learn the verses of the Qur’an and the principles of
Islam. They would learn to pray and would pray to Allah, just as the angel had taught the
prophet (pbuh) to. This period of preaching lasted for three years.

After Khadijah, the people that believed in the prophet (pbuh) were Ali and Zayd. Ali was only
ten years old and Zayd was a slave who had no influence in the Makkan Society. After them
Abu Bakr, from the tribe of Taym, accepted Islam. He was a well-mannered and liked person
who was well respected by the Arabs of Makkah. He was also a successful merchant. He used
to tell some of his close friends whom accepted Islam at his hands.

The early converts were people who knew the prophet (pbuh) very well. They knew his
character and his good qualities. They also knew that he had always been truthful and did not
doubt his word when he told them that revelation had come to him. They knew that he had
never composed any words or poems in the past and the verses of the Qur’an were a true master
piece.

However, during this period of preaching, the word got out about the prophet's message to the
Makkans. Initially, the people were not too concerned about Muhammad (pbuh). Gradually
they become concerned when they realized that the words of the prophet (pbuh) were having
an effect on people. They would talk about this mission and the effects it would have on the
Arabs and the religion of their fore fathers.

2. Open preaching
After three years of this preaching, the prophet (pbuh) was commanded by Allah to start
preaching to his own clansmen in the following words:

“And warn your near relatives.”

Muhammad (pbuh) collected together all his clansmen so that he could explain to them about
Allah and about his mission. The invited audience was of about forty-five Makkans from his
clansmen. This was the first encounter with Abu Lahab, who became the fiercest enemy of
Islam.

The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once went to Safa and called the people together. This was
a usual custom at the time when some major event or announcement was going to be made.
The people gathered together and the prophet (pbuh) said:

‘O people of Quraysh, if I was to tell you that an army was advancing to attack you
from the other side of this mount will you believe me?’

The people knew the character of Muhammad (pbuh), after all they had given him the title of
Al-Amin (the truthful). They had seen this gentle child grow up in this world and had seen how
well he dealt with people, his honest character and his trustworthiness. They had no reason to
doubt him, so they replied:

‘Yes why not? We have always found you to be truthful’

The Prophet (pbuh) looked at the people assembled before him and said “O banu Abdul
Muttalib, O banu Abd Manaf, O Banu Zuhra! I have come to you as a Warner and if you
do not respond to my warning, punishment will fall upon you. I have been sent by Allah
to warn you and I cannot protect you in this world, nor can I promise you anything in the
next world, unless you acknowledge and submit to the worship of the one Allah”

There was silence and then Abu Lahab, one of the more powerful individuals and the prophets
uncle, again responded “May you perish, did you call us to this?” the crowd then dispersed.

This was one of many incidents which Abu Lahab used his influence to ridicule and mock
Islam. He became an open enemy of the prophet (pbuh) and Islam. He continued to be a
hindrance and had a strong opposition to the prophet during his sacred mission.

A major turning point was when the prophet (pbuh) was commanded to openly preach Islam
to the people. The Arabs realized the effect this message could have on Arabia. They were
concerned that the words and verses being taught were from a source beyond this world. These
verses of the Qur’an were luring some people to Islam away from the traditional Arab way of
life. The Arabs believed in a multitude of gods and Idols but were getting taught to worship
only Allah. They were getting taught that Idol worship was wrong and evil.

Indeed the truth did stand out clear and anyone who was exposed to this message was affected.
They knew that the message could only be from Allah, the creator and sustainer and that
Muhammad (pbuh) was indeed the messenger of Allah.

They turned to Abu Talib and asked him to stop Muhammad (pbuh). They said "O Abu Talib!
Your nephew curses our gods; finds faults with our way of life, mocks at our religion and
degrades our forefathers; either you must stop him, or you must let us get at him." They
explained that since they all followed the religion of their forefather, Abu Talib should let them
get rid of Muhammad (pbuh)! Abu Talib tried his best to calm them down and make peace
between them. The Prophet (pbuh) continued his mission by teaching, inviting to and practicing
Islam.

DIFFICULTIES IN PREACHING
When the Prophet invited people to Islam and condemned the worship of idols, the Quraish
took it an insult to their religion and the ways of their forefathers. They were not ready to leave
their ancestors’ religion and so they turned against the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his followers.
They became violent towards the early converts to Islam.

Luring phase
As usual, they first began with attempts to lure him and tried hard to get him interested in
wealth, status, and other material benefits that they promised to give him if he submitted to
their ungodly will, and, after realizing that this method was of no use in their dealing with him,
they attempted to threaten and then to torment and torture him.

Troublesome phase
Thus, a new stage - an exceedingly troublesome phase -started in the blessed life of the Holy
Prophet of Islam. The enemies of Islam, who had well understood that the triumph and rule of
Islam would surely put an end to their law of the sword, tyrannies, and exploitation of the
deprived people, launched their combat against the Holy Prophet of Islam most brutally and
ruthlessly, discarding all moral and humane principles - if they had any - and taking up the
arms of rancor and cruelty so that they could hamper the spread of Islam and guard the interests
of the Quraysh chiefs and men of power.

Of course, it cannot be denied that one of the reasons for the opposition of the people of that
age to the perfect faith of the Holy Prophet of Islam was their intellectual immaturity. But from
the very day the Quraysh tribe heard that the Holy Prophet of Islam called the idols and wooden
and stone statues they worshipped valueless and useless, they exhibited the utmost enmity and
opposition toward Islam.
The Prophet asked the people, `What do you want with these lifeless objects?' They were
even more enraged when the Prophet denounced the wooden and stone idols of the Quraysh
left to them by their ancestors, which they regarded among their ancient glories.

On the other hand, the divine teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam were inconsistent with
the interests of the oppressive class of the chiefs of the Quraysh who wanted to continue
exploiting the poor people and possessing innumerable slaves, as well as with the interests and
inhumane desires of the usurers who wished to amass wealth at the expense of the deprived
class of their society.

It goes without saying that in an environment where no divine law is obeyed and no human
right is respected, the strong will forcibly violate the honour, property, and chastity of the
defenseless people, and so the new faith - Islam - which severely opposed and fought this wrong
social system, enraged those whose interests and selfish considerations were endangered.

Opponents of Islam
Such notorious people as Abu Jahl, Abu Sufyan, Abu Lahab, Aswad ibn Abd Yaghwan, `As
ibn Wail, `Utbah and Shaybah, Walid ibn Maghirah, and `Aqibah ibn Abi Ma'ayyat were
among the leaders of the opponents of Islam.

Types of Injustice done

Cruel, false accusations, physical torment, foul language, economic and financial pressure and
boycotts were among the inhumane methods used by the Quraysh chiefs against the Prophet
and his faithful companions.

Sufferings of Hazrat Bilal

Bilal, an Ethiopian slave, was among the Prophet's most faithful followers, and, because of his
faith in Islam, his ruthless master brutally tortured him. At midday when it is scorching hot, his
master would make Bilal lie down on the burning hot desert pebbles and sand and put a large
and heavy stone on his chest to force him to stop obeying the Holy Prophet of Islam and to
worship their idols instead of worshipping the One God.

Bilal resisted all his threats and tortures most bravely and admirably and responded just by
repeating the word `Ahad' (One), meaning `God is One and Peerless and I will never
become an idol worshipper'.

Hardships faced by Holy Prophet (PBUH)

Along with his companions, the Holy Prophet himself was persecuted. Thorny bushes were
spread in his way and filth and garbage was thrown at him. Abu Lahab’s wife, Umm Jamil,
used to throw the waste of slaughtered goats on the Holy Prophet while he was in worship. She
paid the children of Makka for throwing stones at the prophet (saw) and abusing him.
Sometimes the stones hit his face and caused bleeding.
The two daughters of the Holy Prophet who were married to the two sons of Abu Lahab were
divorced on the provocation of their father and mother. This was a very great shock for the
Prophet (PBUH) and his wife, Khadija.

Tariq Maharibi has narrated, `I saw the Holy Prophet saying in a loud voice to the people, "O
people! Say there is no god but God so you would find salvation".

`He urged the people to submit to Islam and become monotheists while Abu Lahab followed
him step by step and threw stones at him injuring him so that his feet were covered with blood,
but the Holy Prophet continued to guide the people and show them the path of eternal salvation
and prosperity. Abu Lahab cried out, "People! This man is a liar. Do not listen to him"."

After the death of his second son, the Hazrat Muhammad (saw) was taunted and called “abtar”
(man with no male progeny). One day when he was prostrating in the Holy Ka’bah, Uqbah bin
Mu’ait on the provocation of Abu jahl threw tripe of a camel, filled with noxious materials, on
the Prophat’s head to suffocate him. He remained under the tripe. On hearing this news, his
daughter, Fatima (RA), ran out into the Ka’bah and removed the tripe and cleaned his face.

The Quraish prohibited him from entering the Holy Ka’bah for prayers. One day when
Muhammad (saw) was at home and the Muslims were praying in the Ka’bah, the Quraish
attacked them and wounded several of the Muslims. Hazrat Harith, Khadija’s son
(Muhammad’s (saw) step son) was martyred on the spot, who was the first male Muslim
martyr.

Migration to Abyssinia
In the 5th year of Prophethood when the atrocities of Quraish increased, the Holy Prophet
ordered the Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia. A group of fifteen Muslims followed by another
group of 79 migrated. The Quraish sent a delegation to Abyssinia and tried to bring them back,
but they were not successful. In the 7th year of Prophethood, the Quraish made a social and
economic boycott with the Banu Hashim tribe and they had to live in the Shib Abi Talib for
about three years. This was a very harsh time for the Muslims.

Visit to Taif
When the Prophet (saw) visited Taif in the hope that they could accept Islam, it was a very
bitter experience for him. He was pelted with stones from which he received severe injuries.
Later, the pagans took men from different tribes and formed a delegation that made plans to
kill the Holy Prophet (saw). The Holy Prophet (saw) was informed about their strategies
through revelation. Following the orders of the revelation, he along with Hazrat Abu Bakr
migrated to Yasrib and left all their properties behind.

The enemies of Islam resorted to any means at their disposal in their fight against Islam and
the Muslims, some of which were:
 1) Economic struggle: The Quraysh had started a fierce economic struggle against the
Prophet and his followers. One of the inhumane weapons they used against the Muslims
was economic pressure and boycott of any sort of transactions with the Muslims.
2) Psychological warfare: Prohibiting of marriage with Muslims, cutting off all relations
with them from the Quraysh, and accusing the Holy Prophet of Islam of witchcraft,
telling lies, and the like were psychological tactics meant to break down the resistance
and perseverance of the first Muslims.
3) Physical torment and torture: Another anti-human method of fighting the new
movement and its adherents used by the Quraysh was physical torture of the Muslims,
which resulted in the martyrdom of a number of faithful Muslims at the beginning of
Islam.
In spite of all the brutal methods that the infidel Quraysh utilized in their struggles against
Islam, the Holy Prophet and the Muslims, Islam advanced and the Prophet continued to urge
the people to go the right way. Islam and the Muslims continued their efforts and struggles.

To maintain their faith in Islam, the Muslims underwent extremely severe torture, sufferings,
and hardships and showed admirable resistance in following this honorable path.

LEVELS OF PREACHING
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whenever you see any wrong thing happening, stop it by
your hand. If you’re unable to do so, stop it with your tongue. If that is not possible then
consider it bad in your heart. This is the weakest of your Iman.”

This hadith of The Holy Prophet (pbuh) gives us the three levels of preaching which can be
interpreted as follows.

The three levels are:

1. Stop by hand- State or government level

2. Stop by tongue- Scholars and Ulamas level
3. Consider bad at heart- Individual level

Government/ state
The first leve1 states that it is a duty of every government to implement laws in accordance
with Islamic laws. All rules and policies should be male in the light of teachings of the Quran
and the Prophet (saw). An Islamic environment should prevail in the state where all the
obligations are fulfilled and the deviators are punished according to the Islamic punishments.
The state owners are thus responsible and answerable to Allah if anything wrong happens.

Teachers/ preachers
Teachers, scholars and Ulamas are the builders oft nation and thus it is obligatory upon them
to preach the true teachings of Islam in the right manner. They are responsible to provide
Islamic guidance to all the people of the nation and stop them from doing acts that are forbidden
in Islam. They are the source of communication between Allah and his people. Allah says,
"The best among you is he who gets the message of Allah and conveys it."

Prophet Muhammad (saw) said in his last sermon, Khutba hujat-ul-widah, "Those who are
present should convey it to those who are absent."

Individual
The little but most significant level is individual level where one is responsible for
differentiating between the right and wrong and spent his life in accordance with Islamic laws.
It is a duty of every Muslim to choose between the right and wrong and he would be sinful if
he fails to do so. Individuals make a nation and so it every individual would preach the true
faith and do his job, the society will be free from evils as a whole.

Islamic preaching is a unique phenomenon and thus it has a set of rules and
implications, which can again be found in the life of Holy Prophet (saw) as the Golden
Principles of Islamic Preaching.