Thirteen years of patience in Makkah

For three years the call was quiet. The first to believe were Khadijah (ra), Abu Bakr (ra), ‘Ali (ra) and Zayd (ra). Then came the open announcement from the hill of Safa.

Opposition began at once, because one God undoes both the idol trade and tribal pride. The weak suffered most:

• Bilal (ra) — a rock on his chest on burning sand, saying only “One, One”.
• Sumayyah (ra) — the first to be killed for this faith.
• The whole of Banu Hashim — three years of boycott, living on leaves.

In these years two groups migrated to Abyssinia, where the Christian king gave them shelter. Then came the year of sorrow: Abu Talib and Khadijah (ra) both died.

Stoned and bleeding on the way back from Ta’if, he prayed — not against them, but for their guidance. Offered the destruction of the town, he said: “No. I hope Allah will bring from their children those who worship Him.”