الجهر بالدعوة على الصفا
The Public Call from Mount Safa
9 BH (~613 CE)
Mount Safa, Makkah جبل الصفا – مكة
After the command from Allah to warn his closest relatives, the Prophet ﷺ climbed Mount Safa and called out to the clans of Quraysh by name. When they gathered, he asked them: 'If I told you there was an army behind this mountain ready to attack, would you believe me?' They said: 'Yes, we have never known you to lie.' He then called them to worship Allah alone. Abu Lahab responded with hostility, saying 'May you perish! Is this what you gathered us for?'
Why this matters
This was the transition from the secret to the public phase of the Prophet's ﷺ mission. His reputation as 'As-Sadiq Al-Amin' (The Truthful, The Trustworthy) was so well-established that even his enemies could not deny his honesty. Abu Lahab's hostile response prompted the revelation of Surah Al-Masad.
Quran references
تَبَّتْ يَدَآ أَبِى لَهَبٍۢ وَتَبَّ مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُۥ وَمَا كَسَبَ
Surah Al-Masad, 1-5
May the hands of Abu Lahab perish, and may he perish! His wealth and gains will not benefit him.
وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ
Surah Ash-Shu'ara, 214
And warn your closest kindred.
Hadith references
Sahih al-Bukhari, #4770
Narrated by: Ibn Abbas
“When the verse 'And warn your closest kindred' was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ ascended Mount Safa and called: 'O Banu Fihr! O Banu Adi!' addressing the sub-tribes of Quraysh until they gathered.”