The Prophet's early Life before the Divine Mission and After, Early Muslims, and The First Hijrah to Abbysinia

 

1.15 Episodes from the Annals of History

The Prophet of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would withdraw from the world to devote himself entirely to Allah, the Majestic and Sublime, retreating to the seclusion of the Cave of Hira. This act of devotion was instilled in his heart by the will of Allah alone; no one had prompted him to undertake this retreat, nor had he observed others engaging in a similar practice. Rather, Allah Himself had prepared him for this sacred purpose. For days and nights, he would remain immersed in worship and reflection within the solitude of that cave, where he would ultimately encounter the first divine revelation.

At the commencement of revelation, the angel appeared to him, commanding him to “Recite.” The Prophet, unlettered, replied, “I am not a reader.” The angel then enveloped him in a firm embrace until the Prophet could bear it no longer and released him, repeating, “Recite.” Again, the Prophet replied, “I am not a reader.” For a second time, the angel embraced him as before and released him, urging him once more, “Recite.” This repeated command, given two or three times, finally led the Prophet to inquire, “What shall I recite?” The angel then recited the opening verses:

"Recite in the name of your Lord who created—created man from a clinging substance. Recite, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know."

These verses became the first revelations of the Qur’an. The Prophet, peace be upon him, conveyed them to his wife, Khadijah, the mother of the Believers, who became the first person to embrace the message of Islam. Following her, young Ali embraced the faith, and from among the men, Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, son of Abu Quhafa, whose full lineage is Uthman bin Amir bin Amr bin Ka'b bin Sa’d bin Taym bin Murra bin Ka’b bin Lu’ay bin Ghalib bin Fihr, was the first to enter Islam. Some traditions hold that Abu Bakr accepted Islam immediately after Khadijah, followed by Ali, son of Abu Talib, whose father’s name was Abd Manaf bin Abd Al-Muttalib bin Hashim bin Abd Manaf bin Qusay bin Kilab bin Murrah bin Ka’b bin Lu’ay bin Ghalib bin Fihr, then Zaid bin Harithah and Bilal.

Subsequent converts included Amr bin Abasa Al-Sulami, Khalid bin Sa'id bin Al-As bin Umayyah bin Abd Shams bin Abd Manaf, and Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas, whose father’s name was Malik bin Wuhayb bin Abd Manaf bin Qusay bin Kilab. Thereafter, Uthman bin Affan bin Abi Al-As bin Umayyah bin Abd Shams bin Abd Manaf bin Qusay bin Kilab; Al-Zubair bin Al-Awwam bin Khuwailid bin Asad bin Abd Al-Uzza bin Qusay bin Kilab; and Abd Al-Rahman bin Awf bin Abd Awf bin Abd bin Al-Harith bin Zuhra bin Kilab embraced the faith. Talha bin Ubaidullah bin Uthman bin Amr bin Ka'b bin Sa’d bin Taym bin Murrah, Khalid bin Sa’id, Amr bin Abasa, and Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas were among the early converts, with several accepting the faith upon Abu Bakr’s invitation. Some accounts suggest that Sa’d embraced Islam through Abu Bakr’s influence, while Khalid and Amr were independently guided by the Prophet himself.

Afterwards, Abu Ubaidah, whose lineage was Amir bin Abdullah bin Al-Jarrah bin Hilal bin Uhayb bin Dubah bin Al-Harith bin Fihr, accepted Islam, as did Abu Salamah bin Abd Al-Asad bin Hilal bin Abdullah bin Amr bin Makhzum bin Yaqadhah bin Murrah; Uthman bin Maz’un bin Habib bin Wahb bin Hudhafa bin Jumah bin Amr bin Hasa'is bin Ka'b bin Lu’ay, and his brothers Qudamah, Abdullah, and Al-Sa'ib.

Saeed bin Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail bin Abd Al-Uzza bin Riyah bin Qurt bin Razah bin Adi bin Ka'b bin Lu’ay also accepted Islam. Saeed’s father, Zaid, had already rejected idolatry in the pre-Islamic era, affirming monotheism. The Prophet assured him that he would be resurrected as a nation unto himself.

Among the women, notable early converts included Asma, daughter of Abu Bakr, and Fatima, daughter of Al-Khattab bin Nufail bin Abd Al-Uzza, sister of Umar bin Al-Khattab and wife of Sa’eed bin Zaid. Others followed, including Umair bin Abi Waqqas, brother of Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas; Abdullah bin Mas’ud bin Ghafil bin Habib bin Shamakh bin Far bin Makhzum bin Sahla bin Kahl bin Al-Harith bin Tamim bin Sa'd bin Hudhayl bin Mudrika, an ally of the Banu Zuhra. Abdullah embraced Islam after witnessing the Prophet miraculously obtain milk from a barren ewe belonging to Uqbah bin Abi Mu’ayt.

Additional early believers included Mas’ud bin Rabi’ah bin Amr bin Sa’d bin Abd Al-Uzza bin Himala bin Ghalib bin Muhallim bin A’idha bin Yathi’ bin Muli’h bin Al-Hun bin Khuzaima bin Mudrika, and the noble tribesman Sulaith bin Amr bin Abd Shams bin Abd Wad bin Nadr bin Malik bin Hisl bin Amir bin Lu’ay bin Ghalib bin Fihr, and Ayyash bin Abi Rabi’ah bin Al-Mughira bin Abdullah bin Amr bin Makhzum bin Yaqaza bin Murrah, whose wife was Asma bint Makhraba Al-Tamimiyyah.

Also among the early adherents was Khunais bin Hudhafah bin Qays bin Adi bin Sa’id bin Sahm bin Amr bin Hasa’is bin Ka'b bin Lu’ay, who was wed to Hafsah bint Umar prior to her marriage to the Prophet, peace be upon him. Another companion was Amir bin Rabi’ah Al-Anzi of the tribe of Anza Wail, an ally of the Al-Khattab family.

Abdullah bin Jahsh bin Ri’ab bin Sabrah bin Murrah bin Kabir bin Ghanm bin Dudaan bin Asad bin Khuzaima, an ally of the Banu Umayya bin Abd Shams, also entered Islam. His brother, Abu Ahmad bin Jahsh, was blind.

Among later converts were Ja’far bin Abi Talib bin Abd Al-Muttalib and his wife Asma bint Umais bin Al-Nu’man bin Ka’b bin Malik Al-Khath’ami; Hatib bin Al-Harith bin Mu’ammar bin Habib bin Wahb bin Hudhafah bin Jumah bin Amr bin Hasa’is bin Ka'b, and his wife, daughter of Al-Majallal bin Abdullah bin Abi Qays bin Abd Wad bin Nadr bin Malik bin Hisl bin Amir bin Lu’ay bin Ghalib bin Fihr.

Hatib’s brother, also named Hatib bin Al-Harith, embraced Islam along with his wife Fakihah bint Yasar, as did Mu'ammar bin Al-Harith bin Amr bin Habib bin Wahb bin Hudhafah bin Jumah bin Amr bin Hasa’is bin Ka'b bin Lu’ay, and Al-Sa’ib bin Uthman bin Maz’un bin Habib.

Al-Mutallib ibn Azhar ibn Abd Awf ibn Abd ibn Al-Harith ibn Zuhra ibn Kilab ibn Murra ibn Ka'b ibn Lu'ay ibn Ghalib, a distinguished figure of his lineage, was joined in matrimony to Ramla, daughter of Abi Awf ibn Sabra ibn Sa'id ibn Sahm ibn Amr ibn Hasiis ibn Ka'b ibn Lu'ay.

Another prominent individual, Al-Nuhham, bearing the personal name Nu'aim ibn Abdullah ibn Usayd ibn Abd Manaf ibn Awf ibn Ubayd ibn Uwayj ibn Adi ibn Ka'b ibn Lu'ay.

Amir ibn Fuhairah of the noble Azd tribe, born to Fuhairah, a servant under the auspices of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, occupied a noteworthy station. Another distinguished woman, Amina bint Khalaf ibn As'ad ibn Amr ibn Bayadah ibn Yathi' ibn Ja'thama ibn Sa’d ibn Mulayh ibn Amr, originating from the tribe of Khuza'ah, was united in marriage to Khalid ibn Sa'id ibn Abi Al-'As.

Hatib ibn Amr ibn Abd Shams ibn Abd Wad, the esteemed sibling of Sulayt ibn Amr, holds distinction within the annals of family heritage.

Furthermore, Abu Hudhayfa Mahsham ibn Utbah ibn Rabi'ah ibn Abd Shams ibn Abd Manaf, along with Waqid ibn Abdullah ibn Abd Manaf ibn Arin ibn Tha'labah ibn Yarbu' ibn Hanzalah ibn Malik ibn Zayd Manat ibn Tamim, an esteemed ally of Banu Adi bin Ka'b, commanded respect among his people.

The progeny of Al-Bukayr, namely Khalid, Aaqil, Amir, and Iyas, sons of Abd Yalil ibn Nashib ibn Ghiyrah ibn Sa’d ibn Layth ibn Bakr ibn Abd Manat ibn Kinana, were recognised allies of Banu Adi bin Ka'b, contributing their influence within the social structure.

Ammar ibn Yasir, a descendant of the illustrious Ansi lineage from Madh'hij, held an allied association with Banu Makhzum, while Suhaib ibn Sinan, of the Banu An-Namir ibn Qasit, shared an alliance with the Al-Jad'an household of Banu Taym ibn Murra.

Al-Arqam ibn Abi Al-Arqam, identified by his given name Abd Manaf, son of Abi Jundub, himself named Asad, son of Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Makhzum, furthered his family's legacy.

It is narrated that with the arrival of Umar ibn Al-Khattab ibn Nufayl ibn Abd Al-Uzza ibn Riyyah ibn Qurt, divine providence fulfilled the count of forty Companions. This enumeration is thought to have occurred during a period when Amr ibn Abasa had yet to arrive in Mecca, and when Umair ibn Abi Waqqas was of a youthful age, lending nuance to the historical tally.

It was Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas who first spilled blood in the name of Allah, accompanying a congregation of Muslims in prayer when they were confronted by a faction of polytheists, leading to a conflict in which Sa'd, striking with the jawbone of a camel, wounded one of his assailants.

Subsequently, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commenced his overt call to the worship of Allah, the Almighty, prompting the Quraysh to respond with animosity and aversion. However, his uncle, Abu Talib, remained steadfast in his devotion and protection, albeit without renouncing his ancestral faith.

Foremost among those who exhibited open hostility and scorn toward the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, was his uncle Abu Lahab, whose name was Abd Al-Uzza ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, and who was among the principal deriders.

Included among his adversaries were his cousin, Abu Sufyan ibn Al-Harith ibn Abd Al-Muttalib, and other figures from the descendants of Abd Shams ibn Abd Manaf: Utbah and Shaybah, sons of Rabi'ah ibn Abd Shams, alongside Uqbah ibn Abi Mu'ayt ibn Abi Amr ibn Rabi'ah ibn Umayyah ibn Abd Shams, and Abu Sufyan Sakhr ibn Harb ibn Umayyah ibn Abd Shams, each known for their disdain.

Al-Hakam ibn Abi Al-As ibn Umayyah ibn Abd Shams also engaged in derisive actions, as did Mu'awiyah ibn Al-Mughira ibn Abi Al-As ibn Umayyah ibn Abd Shams. Among the descendants of Banu Abd Al-Dar ibn Qusay was Al-Nadr ibn Al-Harith ibn Alqamah ibn Kaladah ibn Abd Manaf ibn Abd Al-Dar ibn Qusay.

From Banu Abd Al-Uzza ibn Qusay, Al-Aswad ibn Al-Muttalib ibn Asad ibn Abd Al-Uzza was another of the mockers, his son Rabi'ah also partaking in such behaviours. Abu Al-Bakhtari Al-Asi ibn Hisham ibn Asad ibn Abd Al-Uzza ibn Qusay was similarly engaged.

Among the Banu Zuhra ibn Kilab, the kin of Al-Asad ibn Abd Yaghuth ibn Wahb ibn Abd Manaf ibn Zuhra ibn Kilab stands noted, and within Banu Makhzum ibn Yaqazah ibn Murra, Abu Jahl Amr ibn Hisham ibn Al-Mughira ibn Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Makhzum is recorded.

Also prominent were Al-Asi ibn Hisham, their uncle Al-Walid ibn Al-Mughira, father of Khalid ibn Al-Walid, and Al-Walid's son Abu Qays. Their cousin, Qays ibn Al-Fakih ibn Al-Mughira, was renowned, as was Zuhayr ibn Abi Umayyah ibn Al-Mughira, brother to Umm Salamah, the Mother of the Believers.

Al-Aswad ibn Abd Al-Asad ibn Hilal ibn Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Makhzum, along with Saifi ibn Al-Sa'ib from Banu Abid ibn Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Makhzum, contributed to the lineage’s legacy.

From Sahm ibn Hasiis ibn Ka'b ibn Lu’ay, the figure of Al-Asi ibn Wa'il ibn Hashim ibn Sa'id ibn Sahm ibn Hasiis, father of Amr, is noted, as is his cousin Al-Harith ibn Adi ibn Sa'id ibn Sahm ibn Hasiis. Munabbih and Nabbih, sons of Al-Hajjaj ibn Amir ibn Hudhayfah ibn Sa'id ibn Sahm ibn Hasiis, were likewise recognised.

Among the Banu Jumah, Umayyah and Ubayy, sons of Khalaf ibn Wahb ibn Hudhayfah ibn Jumah ibn Hasiis ibn Ka'b ibn Lu’ay, maintained prominence. Anis ibn Ma'ir ibn Lawdhan ibn Sa'd ibn Jumah, brother to Abu Mahdhurah, and Al-Harith ibn Al-Tulatilah from Khuza'ah, alongside Adi ibn Al-Hamra' from Thaqif, each held repute.

These influential leaders and chiefs of various Quraysh tribes intensified their persecution of those who had embraced Islam, subjecting the unprotected to severe torment and those under limited protection to continual harassment. Yet, in the face of adversity, the light of Islam continued to shine forth, spreading amongst both men and women with unwavering resilience.

The Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, bore trials of the gravest severity, subjected to relentless persecution and unspeakable torture. In response to this profound hardship, Allah, the Exalted, granted them an exceptional endurance, a patience that stemmed from the boundless honour awaiting them in the Hereafter. Notably, the iniquitous Abu Jahl, a sworn enemy of Allah, committed the appalling act of fatally spearing Sumayyah, mother of Ammar ibn Yasir, through her intimate area, ultimately making her the first martyr in Islam. May Allah be pleased with her.

Bilal, a freed slave from the tribe of Banu Jumah, was subjected to prolonged torment. His oppressors would drag him across the scorching sands of Mecca, pressing a heavy stone onto his chest under the relentless sun. They dressed him in iron armour, subjected him to the searing heat, and bound a rope around his neck, delivering him to the children who would parade him through the streets. Yet, Bilal endured all with unbreakable faith and resilience, disregarding the agonies he endured solely for the sake of Allah.

Yasir, father of Ammar, also embraced Islam, as did Salamah ibn al-Walid, al-Walid ibn al-Walid ibn al-Mughira, Abu Hudhayfah Hashim ibn Utbah ibn Rabi'ah, and other notable figures. Abu Bakr, the trusted companion of the Prophet, purchased Bilal’s freedom, liberating not only him but also his mother, Hamamah, a freedwoman. Additionally, he freed Amir ibn Fuhayrah, Umm Ubayyis, Zunairah, al-Nahdiyyah and her daughter, as well as a bondswoman belonging to Banu Adi ibn Ka'b, whom Umar ibn al-Khattab himself tortured for her Islam before his conversion.

It is said that when Abu Quhafah observed his son Abu Bakr liberating weaker slaves, he advised, “My son, I see you setting free those with little strength; if you freed stronger men, they could protect you.” Abu Bakr responded, “O father, I seek only what I desire.” It is claimed that in light of this event, Allah revealed the verse: "But the righteous one will be spared from it, he who gives his wealth to purify himself…” to the end of the surah. May Allah’s pleasure, mercy, and blessings be upon Abu Bakr al-Siddiq.

As the number of Muslims grew and persecution intensified, Allah permitted migration to Abyssinia, a land west of Mecca, separated by the expansive deserts of Sudan and a sea stretching from Yemen to the Red Sea.

The first Muslim emigrant to Abyssinia was Uthman ibn Affan, who travelled with his wife, Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. Abu Hudhayfah ibn Utbah ibn Rabi'ah ibn Abd Shams also left, defying his father, accompanied by his wife, Sahla bint Suhayl ibn Amr, both fleeing for their faith in Allah. Their son, Muhammad ibn Abu Hudhayfah, was born during their sojourn in Abyssinia.

Others among the emigrants included prominent figures from various tribes:

• Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam of Banu Asad ibn Abd al-Uzza.
• Mus’ab ibn Umayr of Banu Abd al-Dar ibn Qusay.
• Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf of Banu Zuhra ibn Kilab.
• Abu Salamah Abd Allah of Banu Makhzum, accompanied by his wife, Umm Salamah, Mother of the Believers.
• Uthman ibn Maz’un of Banu Jumah.
• Amir ibn Rabi’ah, an ally of Banu Khattab, with his wife, Layla bint Abi Hathmah of Banu Adi ibn Ka'b.
• Abu Sabr ibn Abi Ruhm of Banu Amir ibn Lu'ay, and his wife, Umm Kulthum bint Suhayl.

It is also narrated that Abu Hatib ibn Amr ibn Abd Shams was the earliest to migrate to Abyssinia. Suhayl ibn Bayda of Banu al-Harith ibn Fihr, known as Suhayl ibn Wahb, was also among the migrants.

Following this initial group, Ja’far ibn Abi Talib joined the exiles with his wife, Asma bint Umays, and there they bore three sons: Muhammad, Abd Allah, and Awn.

Others who migrated included:

• Amr ibn Sa’id of Banu Umayya, accompanied by his wife Fatimah bint Safwan, and his brother, Khalid ibn Sa’id with his wife, Amina bint Khalaf. They, too, bore children in Abyssinia.
• Members allied with Banu Asad ibn Khuzaymah, such as Abd Allah ibn Jahsh and his brother, Ubayd Allah, who travelled with his wife, Umm Habibah, Mother of the Believers. However, Ubayd Allah converted to Christianity and died as an apostate.

Abu Musa al-Ash’ari, also counted among the emigrants, initially travelled from Yemen toward Medina, yet a diverted voyage landed him in Abyssinia, where he stayed until joining the Muslims in Medina with Ja'far ibn Abi Talib.

Others who undertook the migration to Abyssinia were Utbah ibn Ghazwan, Al-Aswad ibn Naufal of Banu Asad, Yazid ibn Zam'ah, Amr ibn Umayya, and Talib ibn Umayr. Suwaybit ibn Sa'd, a descendant of Banu Abd al-Dar, Juhm ibn Qays, and Abu al-Rum ibn Umayr also embarked on this journey, some even with family, and became among the earliest pioneers in the cause of Allah.

Firas ibn al-Nadr ibn al-Harith ibn Kilda ibn al-Qama ibn Abd Manaf ibn Abd al-Dar, accompanied by ‘Amr ibn Abi Waqas, the brother of Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqas, alongside al-Muttalib ibn Azhar ibn Abd Awf ibn Abd ibn al-Harith ibn Zuhra, who was joined by his wife Ramla bint Abi Awf ibn Sabirah ibn Sa'id, with whom he fathered a son, Abdullah ibn al-Muttalib.

Among others were Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud and his brother ‘Utbah ibn Mas‘ud, as well as al-Miqdad ibn Amr ibn Thalabah ibn Malik ibn Rabi'ah ibn Thamamah ibn Mutarrid ibn ‘Amr ibn Sa'd ibn Dahir ibn Lu'ay ibn Thalabah ibn Malik ibn al-Sharid ibn Abi Ahwan ibn Fa’ish ibn Dirim ibn al-Qayn ibn Awhad ibn Bahra ibn ‘Amr ibn al-Haf ibn Quda'ah, known as al-Miqdad ibn al-Aswad, an ally of the Banu Zuhra.

Also accompanying them were al-Harith ibn Khalid ibn Sakhr ibn ‘Amir ibn Ka‘b ibn Sa‘d ibn Taym ibn Murrah, together with his wife Rayta bint al-Harith ibn Jubaylah ibn ‘Amir ibn Ka‘b ibn Sa‘d ibn Taym ibn Murrah, who bore him children: Musa, Zaynab, Aisha, and Fatima.

Other prominent figures included ‘Amr ibn Uthman ibn ‘Amr ibn Ka‘b ibn Sa‘d ibn Taym ibn Murrah, the uncle of Talhah ibn ‘Ubayd Allah, and Shamas ibn ‘Uthman ibn al-Sharid ibn Huraymah ibn ‘Amir ibn Makhzum ibn Yaqazah ibn Murrah. This Shamas was known as ‘Uthman, being the maternal nephew of Rabi‘ah.

Alongside them came Hubar ibn Sufyan ibn Abd al-Asad ibn Hilal ibn Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar ibn Makhzum, with his brother Abdullah ibn Sufyan; Hisham ibn Abi Hudhayfah ibn al-Mughira ibn Abd Allah ibn ‘Umar ibn Makhzum; and Ayyash ibn Abi Rabi'ah ibn al-Mughira ibn Abdullah ibn ‘Umar ibn Makhzum.

Mu‘attib ibn Awf ibn ‘Amir ibn al-Fadl ibn ‘Afif ibn Kulayb ibn Habshiyyah ibn Sulul ibn Ka‘b ibn ‘Amr, a member of Khuza‘ah known as Mu‘attib ibn Hamra, was also an ally of the Banu Makhzum.

Al-Sa'ib ibn ‘Uthman ibn Maz‘un was joined by his uncles Qudamah and Abd Allah, the sons of Maz‘un; as well as Hatib and Hutab, the sons of al-Harith ibn Mu'ammar ibn Habib ibn Wahb ibn Khudhafa ibn Jumah, accompanied by Hatib’s wife, the daughter of al-Mujallal ibn Abdullah ibn Abi Qays ibn Abdud ibn Nasr ibn Malik ibn Husayn ibn ‘Amir ibn Lu'ay, with whom he fathered two sons, Muhammad and al-Harith. Hutab’s wife, Fakiha bint Yasar, was also present.

Further families included Sufyan ibn Mu'ammar ibn Habib ibn Wahb ibn Khudhafa ibn Jumah and his two sons, Jabir and Junadah. Their mother, Hasnah, also bore them a half-brother from another union, Sharahbil ibn Hasnah, also called Sharahbil ibn Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Muta‘ al-Kindi. Some suggest he belonged to Banu al-Ghawth ibn Mur, a tribe related to Tamim ibn Mur.

There was also ‘Uthman ibn Rabi‘ah ibn Ahiban ibn Wahb ibn Khudhafa ibn Jumah and Khunays ibn Hudhafah ibn Qays; Qays and Abd Allah, the sons of Hudhafah; and a man from Banu Tamim named Sa‘id ibn ‘Amr, a maternal brother of Bishr ibn al-Harith ibn Qays.

Additional figures included Hisham ibn al-‘As ibn Wa'il, the brother of Amr ibn al-‘As; ‘Umayr ibn Ri'ab ibn Hudhafah ibn Muhasham ibn Sa‘id ibn Sahm; and Abu Qays ibn al-Harith ibn Qays ibn ‘Adi ibn Sa‘id ibn Sahm, along with his brothers, al-Harith ibn al-Harith, Mu‘ammar ibn al-Harith, and Bishr ibn al-Harith.

Others of distinction included Mahmiyah ibn Juz' al-Zubaidi, an ally of the group; Mu‘ammar ibn Abdullah ibn Nadlah ibn Abd al-‘Uzza ibn Harthan ibn ‘Awf ibn Ubayd ibn ‘Awij ibn ‘Adi ibn Ka‘b; ‘Adi ibn Nadlah ibn Abd al-‘Uzza ibn Harthan and his son, al-Nu‘man ibn ‘Adi.

Malik ibn Zama'ah ibn Qays ibn Abd Shams ibn Abdud ibn Nasr ibn Malik ibn Husayn ibn ‘Amir ibn Lu'ay was joined by his wife ‘Amrah bint Sa‘di ibn Waqdan ibn Abd Shams ibn Abdud ibn Nasr ibn Malik ibn Husayn ibn ‘Amir ibn Lu'ay.

‘Abdullah ibn Makhramah ibn Abd al-‘Uzza ibn Abi Qays ibn Abdud; Sa‘d ibn Khawlah from Yemen, an ally of the Banu ‘Amir ibn Lu'ay.

‘Abdullah ibn Suhayl ibn ‘Amr ibn Abd Shams ibn Abdud; and his uncles, Sulayt ibn Amr and al-Sukran ibn Amr. Also present was his wife, Umm al-Mu’minin (Mother of the Believers), Sawdah bint Zama'ah ibn Qays ibn Abdud.

Further joining them was Abu ‘Ubaydah ‘Amir ibn Abd Allah ibn al-Jarrah ibn Hilal ibn Ahib ibn Dabah ibn al-Harith ibn Fihr; ‘Iyad ibn Ghanm ibn Zuhayr ibn Abi Shaddad ibn Rabi'ah ibn Hilal ibn Malik ibn Dabah ibn al-Harith ibn Fihr; ‘Amr ibn al-Harith ibn Zuhayr ibn Abi Shaddad; and ‘Uthman ibn Abd Ghanm ibn Zuhayr ibn Abi Shaddad.

Sa‘d ibn Abd Qays ibn Laqit ibn ‘Amir ibn Umayyah ibn Dhurub ibn al-Harith ibn Fihr was also among them.

At that time, the Quraysh dispatched ‘Abd Allah ibn Abi Rabi‘ah ibn al-Mughira al-Makhzumi and ‘Amr ibn al-‘As to the Negus, seeking the return of these individuals to their care. However, Allah safeguarded the Negus, who had embraced Islam but refrained from publicising his faith, fearing his people, the Abyssinians. Consequently, he rebuffed their request, and they returned defeated.

Subsequently, Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the uncle of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, accepted Islam, bolstering the faith alongside ‘Umar. Khabbab ibn al-Aratt also embraced Islam. The message of Islam continued to flourish, prompting the disbelievers of Quraysh to enact a binding covenant against the Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib, sons of Abd Manaf, agreeing not to marry from, trade with, speak to, nor associate with them. They codified this accord in a written document, leading the Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib—believers and non-believers alike—to isolate themselves in the valley of Abu Talib, save for Abu Lahab and his progeny, who allied with Quraysh against their kin.

Three years passed until a group from Quraysh sought to rescind the covenant. Notably, Hisham ibn Amr ibn Rabi‘ah ibn al-Harith ibn Habib ibn Nasr ibn Malik ibn Husayn ibn ‘Amir ibn Lu'ay was instrumental. He approached Zuhayr ibn Abi Umayyah ibn al-Mughira al-Makhzumi, rebuking him for neglecting his maternal relatives, as Zuhayr’s mother, ‘Atikah bint Abd al-Muttalib, was the aunt of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Zuhayr agreed to rescind the covenant. Hisham also persuaded Mut‘im ibn ‘Adi ibn Nawfal ibn Abd Manaf by reminding him of their kinship with the sons of Hashim and al-Muttalib, who likewise consented. Abu Bakr ibn Hisham ibn al-Harith ibn Asad ibn Abd al-‘Uzza ibn Qusay and Zam'ah ibn al-Aswad ibn al-Muttalib ibn Asad were similarly swayed.

Together, they tore the covenant apart. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ had earlier informed them that Allah had sent termites to consume the document, sparing only the mention of Allah’s name. Upon verifying this, they found it exactly as he had predicted, and the opponents annulled the covenant’s terms.

Abu Bakr subsequently sought to emigrate but was restrained by Ibn al-Dughunnah, who encouraged him to remain.

News reached the emigrants residing in Abyssinia that the Quraysh had collectively embraced Islam; however, this information was ultimately proven to be untrue. Consequently, certain individuals among them returned to Mecca, including ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān and his wife Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; Abū Ḥudhayfah ibn ʿUtbah ibn Rabīʿah and his wife Sahla bint Suhayl; ʿAbdullāh ibn Jaḥsh; ʿUtbah ibn Ghazwān; al-Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwām; Muṣʿab ibn ʿUmayr; Suwaybiṭ ibn Saʿd ibn Ḥarmalah; Ṭulayb ibn ʿUmayr; ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn ʿAwf; al-Miqdād ibn ʿAmr; ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd; Abū Salamah ibn ʿAbd al-Asad and his wife, Umm Salamah, Mother of the Believers; Shamās ibn ʿUthmān; Salamah ibn Hishām ibn al-Mughīrah; ʿAmmār ibn Yāsir; ʿUthmān, Qudāmah, and ʿAbdullāh, sons of Maẓʿūn; al-Sāʾib ibn ʿUthmān ibn Maẓʿūn; Khunays ibn Ḥudhāfah al-Sahmī; Hishām ibn al-ʿĀṣī ibn Wāʾil; ʿĀmir ibn Rabīʿah and his wife Laylā bint Abī Ḥathmah; ʿAbdullāh ibn Mukhārimah ibn ʿAbd al-ʿUzzā of the Banū ʿĀmir ibn Luʾayy; ʿAbdullāh ibn Suhayl ibn ʿAmr; al-Sukrān ibn ʿAmr and his wife, Sawdah bint Zamʿah; Saʿd ibn Khawlah; Abū ʿUbaydah ibn al-Jarrāḥ; ʿAmr ibn al-Ḥārith ibn Zuhayr ibn Abī Shaddād; Suhayl ibn Wahb, known as Suhayl ibn Bayḍāʾ; and ʿAmr ibn Abī Sarḥ.

Upon their arrival, they encountered the Muslim community in Mecca still grappling with severe oppression and hardship. They remained resolute, enduring their suffering until they eventually migrated to Medina. Notable exceptions included al-Sukrān ibn ʿAmr, who passed away in Mecca before he could emigrate, at which point the Messenger of Allah ﷺ married his widow, Sawdah bint Zamʿah. Another exception was Salamah bint Hishām, who was detained by her uncle and brother, preventing her from participating in the Battles of Badr, Uḥud, and Khandaq. Similarly, ʿIyāsh ibn Abī Rabīʿah, though he initially migrated to Medina, was pursued by Abū Jahl and al-Ḥārith ibn Hishām—his cousins and maternal brothers—who reminded him of his mother’s distressful condition. Compelled by familial empathy, he returned to Mecca, where he was subsequently detained until after the battles of Badr, Uḥud, and Khandaq. Later, he rejoined the Muslim community, migrating with Salamah ibn Hishām and al-Walīd ibn al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah. ʿAbdullāh ibn Suhayl ibn ʿAmr was also restrained until he accompanied the disbelievers at Badr, after which he defected and joined the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

Following the repeal of the Quraysh’s oppressive document, both Khadījah and Abū Ṭālib passed away. With their passing, the young men of the Quraysh, emboldened in their opposition, intensified their hostility towards the Prophet ﷺ. In response, the Prophet journeyed to Ṭāʾif to invite its inhabitants to Islam, though his efforts were met with rejection. He returned to Mecca under the protection of al-Muṭʿim ibn ʿAdī ibn Nawfal ibn ʿAbd Manāf and persisted in his call to the divine message.

During this period, al-Ṭufayl ibn ʿAmr al-Dawsī accepted Islam and actively encouraged his tribe to embrace the faith. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed for a divine sign to aid al-Ṭufayl, and Allah manifested a light on his face. Al-Ṭufayl expressed concern, fearing his people might perceive it as a deformity, and so the Prophet ﷺ supplicated once more, resulting in the light transferring to his whip, thus earning him the epithet "Dhū al-Nūr" (Bearer of Light). A segment of his tribe accepted Islam, while al-Ṭufayl remained among his people until, following the Battle of Khandaq, he led approximately seventy to eighty families in migration, joining the Prophet ﷺ at Khaybar.