A warning from atop Mount Safa

During the same period Allah told the Prophet : “Announce openly what you are commanded, and withdraw from the idolaters.” In compliance with Allah’s order, he ascended the heights of Mount Safa, a small rocky hill near the Ka’bah, and cried out from the highest point: “Ya Sabahah!”

The cry “Ya Sabahah” was normally used to warn citizens of impending doom, surprise attacks or other great calamities. Once he had altered his fellow Makkans that something terrible was upon them, the Prophet then called every family and every household by name: “O sons of Fiher! O sons of Adiy! O sons of Abdu Munaf! O sons of Abdul Muttalib! O sons of….:

The people heard their names being called, and they rushed to Mount Safa. Those who were unable to go themselves, sent someone on their behalf to see what had happened. When they were all assembled, the Prophet said: “If I told you that the horsemen were advancing to attack you from the valley or the other side of this hill, would you believe me?”

“Yes,” they replied, bewildered at his question. “We have always found you honest.” Then he said to them: “I am here to warn you before a severe chastisement reaches you. I see the enemy charging toward you, and I want to protect you from his sword, but I fear he will strike you before I can give you warning. This is why I have cried out to you from atop this hill.”

After this vivid analogy the Prophet asked them to save themselves by declaring that Allah was one, and that he, Muhammad, was His Messenger: La ilaaha illallah, Muhammad Rasoolullah. He also explained to them that this testimony (Shahadah) was the only source of salvation in this world and the Hereafter. He tried to make them understand that if they clung to polytheism and rejected the message he had brought to them, they would face Allah’s punishment, and that he (the Prophet) would not be able to save them despite his status as Allah’s Messenger.

Addressing all segments of Makkan society, he further said: “O people of Quraysh, ransom yourselves from Allah and save yourselves from the Fire of Hell, for I am not the master of your gain and loss, nor can I be of any help in saving you from Allah. O Banu Ka’bin Lu’ayy, save yourselves from Hell, for I am not the master of your gain and loss.