52 English Seerah entries
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The account traces the public proclamation, early opposition in Makkah, Abu Talib’s protection, Quraysh’s delegations, and the persecution of Muslims across printed pages 262–269.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
After Islam spread quietly in Makkah, Allah commanded the Messenger to proclaim the revelation and warn his nearest kindred.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Ibn Hisham explains the word “proclaim” and illustrates its use through Arabic poetry.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
While the Companions prayed in a ravine, polytheists confronted and fought them. Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas struck one with a camel jawbone, and the report calls this the first blood shed in Islam.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
After the Messenger criticized the idols, Quraysh united against him, while Abu Talib continued to protect him.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Quraysh asks Abu Talib to restrain the Messenger or allow them to deal with him; Abu Talib answers gently and sends them away.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
As the Messenger continues his call, Quraysh returns to Abu Talib and threatens conflict unless he restrains his nephew.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The Messenger tells Abu Talib he will not abandon his mission, even if the sun and moon were placed in his hands; Abu Talib renews his protection.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Quraysh offers Abu Talib a young man in exchange for the Messenger, but Abu Talib rejects the proposal.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Abu Talib composes poetry reproaching al-Mut‘im and others who failed to protect him and the Messenger.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Quraysh’s clans seize and torture Muslims, while Abu Talib gathers Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib to protect the Messenger; Abu Lahab refuses.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Abu Talib praises his people for standing by the Messenger and recalls the honor and protection of Banu Hashim.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The account recounts al-Walid’s efforts to find a description for the Qur’an, Abu Talib’s long poem defending the Messenger, drought and prayer for rain, and tribal conflicts recalled by Ibn Hisham.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Al-Walid rejects calling the Messenger a soothsayer, madman, or poet, then advises Quraysh to call him a sorcerer who divides families.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Quraysh warns visitors against the Messenger; the source connects al-Walid’s conduct with verses from Surah al-Muddaththir.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The Qurayshi men spread their description of the Messenger among the visitors, and news of him travels throughout Arabia.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Abu Talib’s poem invokes the sanctuary and his kinship with Quraysh as he declares that he will protect the Messenger.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The Messenger prays for rain in Medina; after the rain becomes heavy, he asks Allah to send it around rather than upon the city and recalls Abu Talib’s poem.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Ibn Ishaq identifies people and clans named in Abu Talib’s poem; the notes discuss a report of rain at Makkah during ‘Abd al-Muttalib’s time.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
News of the Messenger reaches Yathrib, where the Aws and Khazraj had heard Jewish scholars speak of a coming Prophet.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Ibn Hisham discusses variant affiliations for Abu Qays and explains how related Aws clans are named in the genealogies.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Abu Qays ibn al-Aslat urges Quraysh to preserve the sanctuary, end hostility, and refrain from fighting the Messenger and his kin.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Ibn Hisham summarizes the race between Dahis and al-Ghabra’ and the retaliations that led to war between ‘Abs and Fazara.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
A killing sparks fighting between the Aws and Khazraj; Ibn Hisham abbreviates the story to avoid interrupting the Seerah.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Hakim ibn Umayyah, a Muslim leader among his people, composes verses urging them not to oppose the Messenger.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
‘Utbah offers wealth, leadership, or kingship to persuade the Messenger to stop preaching, then listens as the Messenger recites from Surah Fussilat and advises Quraysh to leave him alone.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
‘Utbah presents Quraysh’s offers and asks the Messenger to explain his mission.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
After hearing the Qur’an, ‘Utbah tells Quraysh the recitation is neither poetry, sorcery, nor soothsaying and advises them to leave the Messenger alone.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The account recounts Quraysh’s continued persecution, their demands for signs, the questions sent through Jewish scholars, and the revelation answering them, including the People of the Cave and Dhu al-Qarnayn.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
As Islam spreads, Quraysh detains and persecutes those it can reach in an attempt to turn them from their faith.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Quraysh offers wealth, leadership, or kingship and then demands extraordinary signs; the Messenger says he was sent to convey Allah’s message, not to satisfy their demands.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
‘Abd Allah demands that the Messenger ascend to heaven with angelic witnesses before he will believe.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Abu Jahl vows to strike the Messenger with a stone while he prostrates.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
When Abu Jahl approaches the Messenger with a stone, he sees a terrifying camel-like apparition and retreats.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Al-Nadr reminds Quraysh that Muhammad had been known as truthful and trustworthy and urges them to consider his message.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Al-Nadr tells Persian stories after the Messenger speaks, claiming to offer better tales.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Quraysh sends the two men to Medina to ask the Jewish scholars how to test Muhammad’s claim.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Following the Jewish scholars’ advice, Quraysh asks about the People of the Cave, Dhu al-Qarnayn, and the spirit.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
After revelation pauses and rumors spread, Surah al-Kahf is revealed, addressing the delay and affirming the Messenger’s mission.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The Qur’an recounts the believing youths who took refuge in a cave and slept there for a long period.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The account identifies Dhu al-Qarnayn as a ruler given means to travel across the earth and records variant traditions about his identity.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The Qur’an answers that the spirit is of Allah’s command and that humanity has been given little knowledge.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Jewish scholars ask whether the verse about limited knowledge refers to them or Quraysh; the Messenger says it applies to both.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The Qur’an answers Quraysh’s demand for mountains to be moved and the dead to be raised.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Revelation responds to the demand that the Messenger have treasure, a garden, and an angelic companion.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The Qur’an answers demands for a spring, a garden, a falling sky, angels, a golden house, and a book brought down from heaven.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Revelation answers Quraysh’s claim that a man called al-Rahman teaches the Messenger.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Surah al-‘Alaq condemns the one who tries to prevent a servant from praying and warns Abu Jahl against persisting.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The Qur’an answers Quraysh’s offer of wealth by stating that the Messenger seeks no payment and that his reward is with Allah.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Despite recognizing the Messenger’s truthfulness, Quraysh rejects him out of envy and urges people to ignore the Qur’an.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
Abu Jahl mocks the account of the nineteen keepers of Hell, and Quraysh disperses whenever the Messenger recites aloud.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
The Call in Makkah
Translated selection
The verse instructing the Messenger not to recite too loudly or too quietly is connected to Quraysh’s avoidance and the effort of quiet listeners to hear him.
Ibn Ishaq, with Ibn Hisham’s editorial notes
