After being commanded by Allah to invite to Islam openly, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) ascended Mt Safaa and summoned all of the tribes of the Quraish by name. When they had all assembled, he asked them, “If I were to inform you that there is an army on the other side of this mountain that wishes to attack you, would you believe me?” In one voice, they all responded, “We will definitely believe you since we have never known you to be anything but honest and truthful!”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “I am warning you of a severe punishment (that will befall you if you do not accept my message from Allah Ta‘ala).” Abu Lahab retorted, “Woe unto you! May you perish! Is it only for this purpose that you assembled us here?”

It was in this regard that Surah ‘Tabbat Yadaa Abi Lahab’ (may the hands of Abu Lahab perish) was revealed.

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/172)

For three years, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued inviting people to Islam secretly and people gradually embraced Islam. After this period of three years, the following command was revealed, instructing Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to invite to Islam openly:

فَاصۡدَعۡ بِمَا تُؤۡمَرُ وَ اَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ الۡمُشۡرِکِیۡنَ ﴿۹۴﴾

Then proclaim openly that which you have been instructed (i.e. Islam) and turn away from the disbelievers (Surah Hijr v. 94)

وَ اَنۡذِرۡ عَشِیۡرَتَکَ الۡاَقۡرَبِیۡنَ ﴿۲۱۴﴾ۙ وَ اخۡفِضۡ جَنَاحَکَ لِمَنِ اتَّبَعَکَ مِنَ الۡمُؤۡمِنِیۡنَ ﴿۲۱۵﴾ۚ

And warn your close relatives and treat those believers who have followed you with affection and kindness (Surah Shu‘araa v. 214-215)

وَ قُلۡ اِنِّیۡۤ اَنَا النَّذِیۡرُ الۡمُبِیۡنُ ﴿ۚ۸۹﴾

And say (O Muhammed) I am indeed an open warner (Surah Hijr v. 89)

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/171)

In Baghdad, Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) was known by the title ‘Naasir-us-Sunnah’ (the savior of the Sunnah).

Haafiz Ibnu Katheer (rahimahullah) says, “Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) memorized the Qur’aan Majeed when he was only seven, the Muwatta of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) when he was ten, and his Shaikh, Muslim bin Khallaad Al-Zanji (rahimahullah), permitted him to pass verdicts (Fatwa) when he was only fifteen (some narrations state that he was eighteen).”

Hazrat Abu Thowr (rahimahullah), one of the Mujtahideen of that era, says, “We never saw anyone as great as Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah).”

(Al-Bidaayah-wan-Nihaayah 10/276)

Appointment as the Khalifah (continued)

On arriving at the home of Hazrat Miswar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) found Hazrat ‘Abdur Rahmaan bin ‘Auf (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) standing in salaah.

When he completed his salaah, he turned to Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and said, “I have asked the people regarding the two of you, and I did not find any person who considered anyone from among the people to be greater than you in deeni status and position.”

Hazrat ‘Abdur Rahmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then made Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) pledge that from the two of them, the one whom he appointed as Khalifah would definitely rule with justice, and the one who was not appointed would definitely be pleased with the decision that was taken and accept the other person as Khalifah.