ON MOUNT SAFA
Three years had elapsed from the time the Prophet (r) had received the first revelation
but he had remained a silent preacher throughout such period. He was now commanded to
announce it openly:
“So proclaim that which You art commanded, and withdraw from the idolaters.”
[Qur'aan 15: 94]“And warn Your tribe of near kindred, and lower Your wing (in kindness) unto those
believers who follow thee.” [Qur'aan 26:214-15]“And say: Lo! I, even I, am a plain Warner.” [Qur'aan 15: 89]It was an order to show himself to peoples of the world. The Prophet (r) ascended the
heights of mount Safa and cried aloud: “Ya Sahabah”. The Arabs were already familiar with
the call, which was meant to summon them for facing a surprise attack by the enemy. The
alarming call made the whole of the Quraysh come quickly round the Prophet (r) while
those who were unable to come, sent proxies for themselves. Looking down at the men who
waited with their eyes strained at him, the Messenger of God (r) said to them:
“O sons of ‘Abdul Muttalib! O sons of Fihr: O sons of K’ab! If I tell you that horsemen
were advancing to attack you from the other side of this hill, would you believe me?” The
Arabs were practical-minded, possessing a keenly logical outlook, which admitted no ifs, or
buts. They saw the man whom they had always found, on every occasion, candid, honest
and dependable, standing on the summit, having a full view of both the sides of the hill.
They had, on the other hand, the rear of the hill concealed from their sight. Given their
intelligence and understanding, experience with the man addressing them and the entirety
of their own sane and sound mind led them to only one conclusion. They unanimously
replied, “Oh yes, we would surely believe you.”
A COGENT ARGUMENT
Absolute truthfulness, credibility, or dependability of the Messenger of God (r) constitute
the initial and the most essential factor for the acceptance of his mission. The question
posed by the Prophet (r) was thus meant to obtain a confirmation of these qualities from
his audience. Meriting their approval, he said to them, “Well, I am a warner to you before a
severe condemnation overtakes you.” The Prophets of God (u) are endowed with the
knowledge of crude or austere realities that are neither perceptible nor acceptable in hu-
man parlance. The way the Prophet (r) had tried to explain to them the concept and es-
sence of Prophethood was the most trenchant and effective method that could have been