The example of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in his call to his nation

Qabisah ibn Al Mukhariq and Zuhayr ibn `Amr reported: "When this Ayah was revealed:

{وَأَنذِرْ‌ عَشِيرَ‌تَكَ الْأَقْرَ‌بِينَ}

‘Translation’ {And warn your nearest kindred} [Ash-Shu'ara:214], the Prophet of Allah, peace be upon him, set off towards a rock of the hill and ascended Ar-Radmah and then called: «O sons of `Abd Manaf! I am a warner; my similitude and your similitude is like a man who saw the enemy and went to guard his people, but being afraid they might get there before him, he shouted: Be on your guard!» (1).

Explanation of vocabularies (2):

(Ar-Radmah) elevated huge rocks that are smaller than hills.

(guard his people) protect them by warning them against the attack of enemies. Such a person usually sits on a high place or a mountain to see everything around and warn his people.

(Be on your guard) is a phrase that people used to repeat when a danger approaches to gather and get ready for it.

Lessons gained from the Hadith:

1- The Prophet's hastiness to obey the command of his Lord by warning his family and people before others.

2- Showing the Prophet's pity for his family and people, and his eagerness to rescue them from the torment and punishment of Allah.

3- The virtue of calling others to Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, and showing that it is one of the best acts of worship. Allah, may He be Exalted, says:

{وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًا مِّمَّن دَعَا إِلَى اللَّـهِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِي مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ}

‘Translation’ {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allâh (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands firm (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allâh's (Islâmic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} [Fussilat:33].

The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: «By Allah, if a single person is guided by Allah through you, it will be better for you than a whole lot of red camels.»

4- calling to Allah is the mission of the Prophets, peace be upon him, and their followers, so a Muslim should exert efforts in calling to Allah with knowledge and insight as much as his capacity.

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(1) Sahih Al Bukhari No. (4801) and Sahih Muslim No. (207) with his own wordings.

(2) Sharh Muslim of An-Nawawy 3/ 82.

(3) Sahih Al Bukhari No. (3701) and Sahih Muslim No. (6376).