Peaceful Beginning of the Prophetic Mission

PEACEFUL BEGINNING OF THE PROPHETIC MISSION to harm him and his followers. Therefore, the Prophet would need great courage and patience. Khadijah understood and became the Prophet’s most substantial help and support in the following trials. The next to respond to the Prophet was his cousin, Ali. Zayd, his foster son, was the third. Finally, Abu Bakr, a respected merchant, was the first convert outside the family to become the Prophet’s closest companion. To begin with, the Prophet taught Khadijah and the small group of friends how to pray, and they would pray together. This small group of the faithful were the first believers of Islam. In the first stage, the Prophet was asked to spread the message of Islam quietly to avoid arousing any hostility. Being an influential merchant, Abu Bakr brought some of his friends, also wealthy merchants, into the fold of Islam. However, most of the conversions occurred among the weak and the poor. In the second stage, the Prophet received the command