The earliest believers included Khadijah, ʿAli ibn Abi Talib, Zayd ibn Harithah and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنهم. The message centred on tawhid, prayer, moral accountability and care for others. For a time, the growing community learned quietly, often meeting in the house of al-Arqam.
When commanded to proclaim openly, the Prophet ﷺ addressed his relatives and the people of Makkah. The call challenged inherited idol worship and privileges protected by an unequal order. Those who knew his truthfulness could not honestly call him a liar, yet many resisted what accepting the message would require of their lives.