The Prophet in Makkah

THE PROPHET IN MAKKAH On one occasion, in the early days of Makkah, the Prophet preached Islam to Abu Sufyan and his wife, Hind. This is how he framed his address: Abu Sufyan ibn Barb, Hind bint ‘Utbah. You are going to die; then you will be raised. The good will then be admitted into heaven, and the wicked will enter hell. I am telling you the truth.97 The historian Ibn Khuzaymah recorded the following conversation between a member of the Makkan nobility, Husain, and the Prophet Muhammad “Tell me, Husain,” the Prophet said, “how many gods do you worship?” “Seven on earth and one in heaven,” Husain replied. “Whom do you call on when you are in trouble?” the Prophet asked. The one in heaven,” Husain answered. “And whom do you call on when you have suffered the loss of wealth?” the Prophet asked again. “The one in heaven came the same reply. “He alone answers your prayers,” the Prophet said, “Then why do you set up others as His equals?”98 Imam Ahmad has reported, on the authority of Abu Umamah, that a man from a particular tribe came to the Prophet and asked him what teachings he had brought from God. “That relationships should be strengthened, and wrongful killing avoided. Roads should be left open. Idols should be broken. Only one God should be served; no others should be set up with Him as His equals,” the Prophet replied. After he had reached Madinah, however, when he sent a formal invitation to the people of Najran, he presented his message differently: