of the prophets—may Allah’s blessings be upon them—are raised up from the leading families of their peoples. This secures for the truth a backing, suppresses falsehood, and gives the call room to advance in a way that would not occur otherwise.

Take Shuʿayb as an example and recall how his people said to him, “Were it not for your clan, we would have stoned you; you have no power over us” (Hud 91). Likewise, our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was sent from the most distinguished and honored household in Quraysh. His people hurled fierce hostility at him, convened meeting after meeting to undermine his teaching and his religion—even to determine how best to eliminate him. Yet one of the factors that held them in check was their dread of his tribe.

Consider what happened when they hemmed him in within the mountain pass and his tribe (1) —Muslims and idolaters alike—took his side. They never imagined they could reach his noble person until they contrived that infamous plot: they agreed that one man from every clan would strike him so that his blood would be dispersed among the tribes, leaving his own people unable to demand retaliation. But they scheme, and Allah schemes; and Allah is the best of schemers. (2)