sent it down on a blessed night” (Al-Dukhan: 3).

Yunus ibn Bukayr relates, on the authority of Ibn Ishaq: Gabriel struck the ground with the heel of his foot at the edge of the valley, whereupon a spring gushed forth. Gabriel and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution from it, then each prayed two rakʿahs and Gabriel departed, leaving the Prophet’s eyes cooled and his soul at ease. The Messenger of Allah then took Khadijah by the hand, led her to the spring, and she performed ablution just as Gabriel had done. He and Khadijah then prayed two rakʿahs together, after which the two of them continued to pray in secret.

The next day ʿAli came upon them while they were praying and asked, “What is this, O Muhammad?” He replied, “It is a religion Allah has chosen for Himself and with which He sent His messengers. I invite you to worship Allah alone and to renounce al-Lat and al-ʿUzza.” ʿAli said, “I have never heard of this matter before today. I will not decide anything until I have spoken with Abu Talib.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) disliked that his secret be divulged before he was commanded to make it public, so he said, “O ʿAli, if you will not accept Islam, then at least keep this to yourself.”

ʿAli spent that night reflecting, and Allah placed Islam in his heart. At dawn he came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), thereafter visiting him while fearful of Abu Talib and concealing his faith.

Zayd ibn Harithah also embraced Islam, and for nearly a month ʿAli continued to go back and forth to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). Among the favors Allah bestowed upon ʿAli was that he had been raised in the Prophet’s household before the advent of Islam.

Salamah ibn al-Fadl narrates from Muhammad ibn Ishaq: ʿAbd Allah told me