Assalamu alaykum, Grade 4! Before we dive in, take a look at the title on your screen. Can someone read it out loud for us? 'Introduction: The Call to Islam.' Now, I want you to imagine you have the best news in the whole world — like finding out you're getting a new puppy or that there will be no homework for a whole month! Would you want to keep that news to yourself, or would you run and tell your best friend? Keep that idea in your mind — sharing good news. He was given the most important message in the world: that there is only one God, Allah, and we should worship Him alone. Just like you would share exciting news, the Prophet had the job of sharing this message. That job has a special name: it's called 'Daawa.' Daawa simply means inviting people to the beautiful way of Islam. Think of it like inviting a friend to a wonderful party — you want them to come and enjoy it too! For our lesson today, we are going to learn the story of how the very first call to Islam started. We'll see how the Prophet began by telling only his closest family and friends — this is called 'secret preaching' — and then later, Allah told him to preach to everyone out in the open. That's called 'open preaching.' It's a fascinating story with many lessons for us, like being brave, being patient, and trusting in Allah.
Let's discover the very first revelation of the Quran. It happened in a quiet cave near Makkah. Prophet Muhammad used to go to Cave Hira to think about the world and the Creator. He liked to be alone and reflect. One day, Angel Jibreel appeared and said 'Iqra!' which means 'Read!' The Prophet was surprised because he could not read. Then the angel revealed the first verses of the Quran. They teach us that Allah created humans and gave us the ability to learn. That's why reading and education are so important. In Kenya, we also value learning – it helps us grow and understand each other. The Prophet was scared at first, but his wife Khadijah comforted him. This reminds us to be patient and support our family and friends.
'Daawa' means invitation or call. This is about how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) began calling people to Islam, but in a secret way. Just like when you have a surprise project and you only tell your closest friends first. After the Prophet received the first revelation from Allah, he started sharing the message quietly. He only invited people he trusted most — because the people of Mecca were not ready to accept this new faith. Imagine you have a new idea and you want to share it carefully so that it grows well. That's exactly what the Prophet did. The very first was Khadijah, his wife — she believed in him right away. Then Ali, his young cousin who lived with him. Next was Zaid, his adopted son. Then Abu Bakr, his best friend. Abu Bakr was so respected that when he accepted Islam, many others also began to believe. These people were the foundation of the Muslim community. The message spread quietly among trusted people. This teaches us the value of patience, trust, and unity. In Kenya, we know that good things often start small and grow with care — like planting a seed and watering it patiently. That's exactly how Islam began.
Daawa just means 'calling people to Islam,' and before this, the Prophet Muhammad taught in secret. Allah commands him to share the message openly. At this verse from the Quran, Surah Ash-Shu'ara, verse 214. Allah says to the Prophet: 'Warn your closest tribe.' Imagine a teacher telling you to start by sharing what you learned with your own family first. That's how the Prophet began his open preaching. The Prophet climbed Mount Safa, a hill near Makkah, and called out to the Quraysh, the main tribe there. 'O Quraysh!' he said. 'If I told you an army was behind this mountain, would you believe me?' They all said yes, because he was always truthful. Then he said, 'I am warning you of a severe punishment.' This was a brave step—like standing in front of the whole school assembly to share an important message. Not everyone was happy. One of the Prophet's own uncles, Abu Lahab, got very angry. He said, 'Is this why you gathered us? To insult us?' And he rejected the message. It reminds us how sometimes even family members may not agree with us—but we stay patient and kind, just like the Prophet did. Because of the open call, the early Muslims faced many hardships. Imagine being insulted at the market, or not being allowed to buy food, or even being harmed. The Quraysh boycotted the Muslims and treated them harshly. The Muslims showed amazing patience—like the patience we see in our Kenyan communities when facing difficult times together. This teaches us to stay strong even when others are unkind.
Let's recap the main lessons from the Prophet's journey and see how we can use them today, right here in Kenya. First, the Prophet started his call secretly with his family, then later openly. This teaches us to be brave and patient when sharing what is right. His first believers were his wife Khadijah, his cousin Ali, and his friend Abu Bakr. They supported him when no one else did. Loyalty matters. The early Muslims faced many challenges, but they stayed patient and trusted Allah. We can do the same when we face difficulties in school or at home. In Kenya, we can be patient with our families, care for our neighbours, and stand up for truth. These lessons are for us every single day. Let's think a little deeper about how we can live them.
