3. Life of the Prophet Muhammad cont
First Converts *
For the first three years, or rather less, of his mission, the Prophet Preached to his family and his intimate friends, the while the people of Makkah as a whole regarded him as one who Had become a little mad. The first of all his converts was his wife Khadijah, the second his first cousin Ali, whom he had adopted, the third his servant Zayd, a former slave. His old friend Abu Bakr was Also Among Those early Converts.
Begin ning of Persecution
At the end of the third year the Prophet received the command to "Arise and warn," Whereupon he Began to preach in public, pointing out the folly of Wretched Idolatry in face of the tremendous laws of day and night, of life and death, of growth and decay, which manifest the power of Allah and attest His sovereignty. It was then, when he began to speak against their gods, that Quraysh became actively hostile, persecuting his poorer disciples, mocking and insulting him. The one consideration which prevented them from killing him was fear of the blood-vengeance of the clan to which his family belonged. Strong in his inspiration, the Prophet went on warning, pleading, threatening, while Quraysh did all they could to ridicule his teaching, and deject his followers.
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