At first the Prophet ﷺ called people to God secretly for three years, and a small group believed at home: Khadija, Ali, Abu Bakr, Zayd and Bilal. They met quietly in the house of al-Arqam to pray and learn, until God told them to declare the call openly.
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The three years of the secret call
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The secret call was the first three years of the Prophet ﷺ's mission (about 610–613 CE): he called people privately among those he trusted of his family and intimates, and Khadija believed first, then Ali, Abu Bakr, Zayd ibn Haritha (may God be pleased with him), Bilal and others. The group met secretly in the house of al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam (may God be pleased with him) by al-Safa, learning the Qur'an and praying away from Quraysh's eyes, until God ordered the open call in the verse 'declare what you are commanded', and the Prophet climbed al-Safa and called out to Quraysh. Historians count these years the building of the first Muslim nucleus.
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