The Prophet in Makkah

Khadijah were praying. He asked his cousin what they were about. The Prophet told him this was God’s religion, the path that God had chosen. It was to call people to this path that He had sent His prophets to the world. “Belief in One God,” the Prophet said. “He has no partner. Worship Him alone. Forsake the idols Lat and ‘Uzza.’ “I have heard nothing of this nature before today,” ‘Ali replied. “I cannot decide until I have discussed the matter with my father, Abu Talib.” But the Prophet did not want anyone to know about his secret until the time had come for it to be made public. “‘Ali,” he said. “If you are not ready to become a Muslim, keep the matter to yourself” ‘Ali waited for one night, and then God made his heart incline towards Islam. He went back to the Prophet early in the morning. “What was it that you were telling me yesterday?” He asked. Bear witness that there is none worthy of being served save God. He is One. He has no partner. Forsake Lat and ‘Uzza, and disown all who are set up as equals with God.” ‘Ali did this and became a Muslim. Then, in fear of Abu Talib, he used to come and see the Prophet secretly. ‘Ali kept his Islam a secret; he did not tell anyone about it.”92 Even later, when the first Muslims among the tribes of Aws and Khazraj returned to Madinah, they followed the same policy. According to the historian Tabarani, “They returned to their people and invited them, secretly, to embrace Islam.”