Calling others to Islam in public in 4 BH

After three years of the call, the Prophet (peace be upon him) stopped calling others secretly to Islam when the following ayah was revealed, {And warn your nearest kinsmen} [Surah Ash-Shu’araa: 214]. This ayah was an announcement to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to call others openly to Islam and to stop calling people in secret. The Prophet (peace be upon him) started to call his relatives because this would encourage his success, and give him support and protection. Moreoever, as Mecca’s beliefs were respected by others, any views they held would affect the other tribes in the area.

Since the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in the habit of submitting to and obeying Allah’s orders, he quickly went to Mount Safa to teach his close relatives. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, «When the ayah {And warn your nearest kinsmen} [Surah Ash-Shuraa: 214] was revealed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) climbed Mount Safa and called out, ‘Oh Bani Fihri, Oh Bani Adi,’ and the different tribes of Quraish until they all came. If any man could not attend, he would send someone else instead to listen to what the Prophet had to say. Abu Lahab and others members of Quraysh came. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘What do you think if I told you that there was a cavalry in the valley who wish to attack you. Would you believe me?’ They replied, ‘Yes, you have never told us anything but the truth.’ Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, ‘Truly, I am a warner to you warning you of a severe punishment.’ Abu Lahab said, ‘May you be perished all day. Is this why you gathered us?’ Therefore Allah (Glorified is He) revealed, ‘{Perish the hands of the Father of Flame! Perish he! No profit to him from all his wealth and all his gains} [Surah Al-Masad: 1, 2]» [related by Al-Bukhari].

The disbelievers of Quraysh did not believe him, although they testified to his truthfulness and trustworthiness. However, the Prophet (peace be upon him) continued to exert great effort to make them worship the Lord of all creation, alone, instead of worshippings idols, and for them to stop taking partners with Allah (Glorified is He). The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to walk in the markets, saying to the people, «Oh people, say, ‘There is no god (worthy of worship) but Allah’» [related by Ahmed].