The call to the nearest kin

When the verse calling the nearest of kin to be warned came down, the Prophet gathered Banu Hashim, together with a few men of Banu al-Muttalib, about forty-five men in all. He told them that he was God's messenger to them in particular and to the people in general. Abu Lahab spoiled the first gathering, and Abu Talib pledged to protect him at the second ^{1 2 3}.

The book describes Surat al-Shu'ara, in which the verse came down. The surah recounts the story of Moses from the beginning of his prophethood to the deliverance of his people, and it mentions the fate of the deniers among the people of Noah, 'Ad, Thamud, the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket. They were a model of what the Prophet and his Companions would face when they proclaimed the message openly ¹. When the verse came down, the Prophet summoned Banu Hashim. Abu Lahab said: "These are your uncles and your cousins. Speak, and leave off the sabi'a (those who have turned away)." The Prophet said nothing at that gathering ².

The Prophet called them a second time. He praised and thanked God, then said that he was God's messenger to them in particular and to the people in general, and that they would die, be raised and be judged, and that it would be either Paradise forever or Hell forever ². Abu Talib said that they were more ready to help and more willing to accept his counsel. He said he would continue to shield and protect him, but his soul would not let him part from the religion of Abd al-Muttalib ². Abu Lahab said: "By God, this is the disgrace! Take hold of his hands before someone else does." Abu Talib said: "By God, we will protect him as long as we live" ².

• The book counts the attendees as forty-five men. At this point it cites no source other than Ibn Hisham, the fiqh of the sira, and the author's own research.