Muhammad (pbuh) maintained a **low profile** for the first three years of his prophetic mission. During this crucial period, he focused on meeting privately with trusted friends and close relatives, explaining the extraordinary events that had transpired and introducing the core teachings of Islam.

The Formation of the Early Community

The new way of life began to quietly take root among those closest to him. Among his first converts were individuals who recognized his truthfulness and integrity, including:

• His best friend, **Abu Bakr**.
• His young cousin, **‘Ali** (who lived in his household).
• His daughters.
• His loyal freed maidservant, **Barakah**.
• A small handful of other respected men and women.

Through these private efforts, Muhammad (pbuh) succeeded in establishing a nascent community of nearly thirty converts, forming the core of the Muslim nation.

The Continuous Flow of Revelation

The **Qur’an**, which began as only a few verses received in a mountain cave, slowly began to grow. New revelations, some of them quite lengthy, came to Muhammad (pbuh) in various ways:

• Sometimes he received the messages while he was **dreaming**.
• Other times they came upon him when he was **awake**, which he later described as sounding like the intense **ringing of a loud bell** in one’s ears.
• Occasionally, **Angel Gabriel** would come to him in person to recite verses, give instructions, or answer his questions.

The Initial Rejection

While many close associates embraced the message, some of his relatives viewed Muhammad (pbuh) as impulsive. They dismissed him as a harmless dreamer or a deluded poet who would soon tire of his new endeavor. At this early stage, they saw no threat in his private meetings, little realizing the far-reaching extent of the rejection and persecution that would soon follow as his mission transitioned into the public sphere.