The First Muslims
👥 The Pioneers — The First Muslims
"And the first forerunners [in faith] among the Emigrants and the Helpers and those who followed them in righteousness — Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him"
— [At-Tawbah: 100]
📖 Introduction
Three Years in Secrecy
After the revelation of Surah Al-Muddaththir...
The Prophet ﷺ began calling people to Islam...
But secretly... in the shadows... in whispers...
Why? Because Quraysh would never accept a religion that threatened its power and status!
Thus began three years of secret preaching...
🌟 The Phase of Secret Preaching (610-613 CE)
📅 Duration and Method
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 3 years |
| Method | Individual and secret invitation |
| Location | Houses and isolated places |
| Goal | Build a solid core of believers |
💡 The Wisdom of Secrecy
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Protect the first Muslims | They were few and weak |
| Build the spiritual foundation | Focus on educating the first generation |
| Avoid premature confrontation | Quraysh was too powerful to confront early |
| Spread the call gently | The news spreads without violent resistance |
👑 The First Four — The Very First Believers
📜 The Opening Scene
In the early days of the prophetic mission...
Believing was not easy...
Who would believe this man is a messenger from God?
Who would risk everything — wealth, status, life?
Four were the first to believe...
1️⃣ Khadijah bint Khuwaylid رضي الله عنها — The First Believer
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rank | First person to believe ever |
| Category | First woman |
| Attitude | She believed upon his return from Hira cave |
📜 The Scene:
The Prophet ﷺ returned from the cave trembling...
He said: "Cover me! Cover me!"
Khadijah did not doubt for a single moment!
She did not say: "Are you sure?"
She said: "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you!"
💎 The Lesson: The righteous woman is the first to believe in her husband and support him!
2️⃣ Abu Bakr as-Siddiq رضي الله عنه — The First Free Man
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Abdullah ibn Abi Quhafa |
| Rank | First free man to embrace Islam |
| Title | As-Siddiq (The Truthful) — because he believed the Prophet ﷺ instantly |
| Age | 38 years (2 years younger than the Prophet ﷺ) |
📜 The Scene of Abu Bakr's Conversion
The Prophet ﷺ: O Abu Bakr, Allah has sent me as a messenger to the people...
Abu Bakr (without hesitation): You speak the truth!
He did not ask for proof...
He did not ask for a miracle...
He did not say: "Let me think about it"...
He believed immediately!
💬 The Prophet ﷺ said: "I never invited anyone to Islam except that he hesitated, except Abu Bakr — he did not hesitate at all"
📊 What Did Abu Bakr Contribute to Islam?
| Contribution | Detail |
|---|---|
| Converting pioneers | He converted 5 of the 10 promised Paradise |
| Wealth | He spent all his fortune for Islam |
| Freeing slaves | He bought Bilal and freed him (and 7 others) |
| Companionship | He accompanied the Prophet ﷺ during the Hijra |
3️⃣ Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه — The First Child
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Relation | Cousin of the Prophet ﷺ |
| Rank | First child to embrace Islam |
| Age | About 10 years old |
| Situation | He lived in the Prophet's ﷺ house |
📜 The Scene of Ali's Conversion
Ali saw the Prophet ﷺ and Khadijah praying...
Ali: What is this, O cousin?
The Prophet ﷺ: This is the religion of Allah with which He sent me...
Ali: Let me ask my father (Abu Talib)...
The Prophet ﷺ: O Ali, if you don't accept Islam, keep it secret!
The next day...
Ali: O Messenger of Allah, I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah!
💡 Note: Ali never prostrated to an idol in his life — he embraced Islam before reaching the age of religious responsibility!
4️⃣ Zayd ibn Haritha رضي الله عنه — The First Freed Slave
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | A slave the Prophet ﷺ bought then freed |
| Rank | First freed slave to embrace Islam |
| Title | The Beloved of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ |
| Distinction | The only companion whose name is mentioned in the Quran |
📜 Zayd's Moving Story
Zayd's father came looking for his kidnapped son...
He found him with Muhammad ﷺ...
The father: Take whatever money you want and give me my son!
The Prophet ﷺ: I will give him the choice... O Zayd, do you want to go with your father?
Zayd (without hesitation): No! I would never prefer anyone over you!
I have seen from you what makes me never leave you!
💎 The Lesson: The Prophet's ﷺ character made a slave prefer him over his freedom and family!
📊 Table: The First Four
| Order | Name | Category | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Khadijah | First woman | First to believe absolutely |
| 2️⃣ | Abu Bakr | First free man | Did not hesitate for a moment |
| 3️⃣ | Ali | First child | Never prostrated to an idol |
| 4️⃣ | Zayd | First freed slave | Preferred the Prophet ﷺ over his family |
🌟 The Ten Promised Paradise
👥 Who Are They?
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Abu Bakr is in Paradise, 'Umar is in Paradise, 'Uthman is in Paradise, 'Ali is in Paradise, Talha is in Paradise, az-Zubayr is in Paradise, 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf is in Paradise, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas is in Paradise, Sa'id ibn Zayd is in Paradise, and Abu 'Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah is in Paradise"
[Sahih at-Tirmidhi]
📊 Table of the Ten Promised Paradise
| # | Name | Conversion | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abu Bakr as-Siddiq | First free man | The Truthful — 1st Caliph |
| 2 | 'Umar ibn al-Khattab | Year 6 of mission | Al-Faruq — 2nd Caliph |
| 3 | 'Uthman ibn 'Affan | Among the first | Dhun-Nurayn — 3rd Caliph |
| 4 | 'Ali ibn Abi Talib | First child | The Lion of Allah — 4th Caliph |
| 5 | Talha ibn 'Ubaydullah | Through Abu Bakr | Protected the Prophet ﷺ at Uhud |
| 6 | az-Zubayr ibn al-'Awwam | Among the first | The Disciple of the Messenger ﷺ |
| 7 | 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf | Through Abu Bakr | The Honest Merchant of Islam |
| 8 | Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas | Among the first | First to shoot an arrow in Islam |
| 9 | Sa'id ibn Zayd | Among the first | Husband of 'Umar's sister |
| 10 | Abu 'Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah | Through Abu Bakr | The Trustee of this Ummah |
🏠 Dar al-Arqam — The Secret School
📍 Location and Importance
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | The House of al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam |
| Location | On Mount Safa — near the Ka'bah |
| Importance | First secret Islamic school |
| Owner | Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam al-Makhzumi |
📜 The Scene at Dar al-Arqam
In a small house on Mount Safa...
The Muslims would gather secretly...
They would learn the Quran...
They would pray together...
They would study their religion...
And guards would watch the road in fear of the Quraysh polytheists!
💡 What Happened at Dar al-Arqam?
| Activity | Detail |
|---|---|
| Quran teaching | Memorizing revealed verses |
| Prayer | Performing prayers in congregation |
| Spiritual education | Building faith and character |
| Planning | Discussing da'wah matters |
| Welcoming new Muslims | Secret declaration of Islam |
👥 Categories of the First Believers
📊 Social Classes
| Category | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Quraysh Nobles | Abu Bakr, 'Uthman, Talha | Rich and influential |
| Youth | 'Ali, az-Zubayr, Sa'd | Energy and enthusiasm |
| Slaves and Freed | Bilal, 'Ammar, Suhayb | The oppressed |
| Women | Khadijah, Fatima bint al-Khattab | The supporters |
| Poor | Khabbab ibn al-Aratt | The patient ones |
📊 The First Forty Muslims (approximately)
| # | Name | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khadijah bint Khuwaylid | First woman |
| 2 | Abu Bakr as-Siddiq | First free man |
| 3 | 'Ali ibn Abi Talib | First child |
| 4 | Zayd ibn Haritha | First freed slave |
| 5 | 'Uthman ibn 'Affan | Through Abu Bakr |
| 6 | az-Zubayr ibn al-'Awwam | Through Abu Bakr |
| 7 | 'Abd ar-Rahman ibn 'Awf | Through Abu Bakr |
| 8 | Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas | Through Abu Bakr |
| 9 | Talha ibn 'Ubaydullah | Through Abu Bakr |
| 10 | Abu 'Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah | Through Abu Bakr |
| 11-15 | Bilal, 'Ammar, Suhayb, Khabbab, Umm 'Ammar | Slaves and freed |
| 16-20 | Asma', Fatima bint al-Khattab, Umm al-Fadl | Women |
| ... | ... | ... |
💡 Note: More than half of the first believers embraced Islam through Abu Bakr as-Siddiq!
🌟 Stories of the First Believers
📖 The Story of Bilal — Ahad! Ahad!
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Bilal ibn Rabah the Abyssinian |
| Profession | Slave of Umayya ibn Khalaf |
| Conversion | Among the very first Muslims |
| Fate | Tortured then freed |
📜 The Scene:
Bilal was thrown on the burning sands of Mecca...
A huge boulder was placed on his chest...
Umayya: Disbelieve in Muhammad! Disbelieve!
Bilal (under torture): Ahad... Ahad! (One... One!)
He did not disbelieve... did not retreat... did not give up!
Until Abu Bakr came, bought him, and freed him!
📖 The Story of Suhayb ar-Rumi — Take My Wealth!
Suhayb emigrated from Mecca...
The Quraysh polytheists pursued him...
Suhayb: What if I left you my wealth, would you let me go?
The polytheists: Yes!
He told them where all his wealth was...
And arrived in Medina poor...
The Prophet ﷺ: "The trade is profitable, O Abu Yahya! The trade is profitable!"
📝 Summary of Key Points
| Point | Remember |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Secret preaching lasted 3 years — to build a solid foundation |
| 2️⃣ | The first four: Khadijah, Abu Bakr, 'Ali, Zayd |
| 3️⃣ | Abu Bakr converted most of the ten promised Paradise |
| 4️⃣ | Dar al-Arqam — first secret Islamic school |
| 5️⃣ | The first believers came from all classes: nobles, slaves, youth, women |
| 6️⃣ | The ten promised Paradise — all among the first believers |
❓ Questions for Reflection
-
Why was the preaching secret in the beginning?
-
How did Abu Bakr's conversion influence the spread of Islam?
-
What made Zayd prefer the Prophet ﷺ over his father and freedom?
-
Why did slaves and the poor embrace Islam while most of the rich refused?
-
How can we be inspired by Dar al-Arqam in building our communities today?
📚 Sources
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| As-Sira an-Nabawiyyah | Ibn Hisham |
| At-Tabaqat al-Kubra | Ibn Sa'd |
| Ar-Rahiq al-Makhtum | Al-Mubarakfuri |
| Sunan at-Tirmidhi | Hadith of the ten promised Paradise |
In the next lesson: 📢 The Public Call — Climbing Mount Safa
And Allah knows best
رَبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا