Almost all the important historians and commentators of all sects of Islam have narrated that the first person who accepted Mohammad's inspired message was his loyal wife HAZRAT KHADIJEH, and so she is reckoned to be the first Muslim.

      The second convert was HAZRAT Imam Ali, the ten or twelve year old cousin of Mohammad who was living his life with the prophet when he was inspired. When Mohammad asked the boy to bear witness that there is no God but Allah the Only God, and that Mohammad is His Messenger in truth, the boy said that before the testimony he had to see his father and consult with him. The prophet said to him:ِ ``All right! You may do as you like, No compulsion is there in the religion.''

HAZRAT Ali, the 12 years old boy took leave to go to his father to consult him, but he stopped at the door of the prophet's house, pondering over something important with him! He then returned to the prophet and uttered the testimony and bore the witness; that, ``Allah is the only one God, and that Mohammad is His truthful Messenger.''

      The prophet asked the boy:ِ ``why did you change your mind in consulting with your father about the faith?'' In answer to the prophet,HAZRAT Ali said:ِ ``At the door a thought seized my mind, that, when Allah my Lord decided to create me, He did not consult my father. Why should I, then, consult my father when I am asked to worship my Lord and Creator.'' HAZRAT Ali then established himself as Mohammad's chief lieutenant, and advisor, and finally his real choice for successor. At a later incident Mohammad called HAZRAT Ali his brother with all the advantages of Aaron in

relation to Moses. (SEEREH HALABIYEH VOL.1P; 288)

      The third convert was Zaid; who was Mohammad's adopted son. Zaid was the son of a chieftain, enslaved and sold to HAZRAT KHADIJEH, and she offered him as a present to Mohammad.

      More than a couple of years elapsed from the first revelation, until the fourth Muslim joined the group. He was ABUBAKR who made a living by commerce. He considered himself a friend to Mohammad, and so he was given a title of, ``SEDDIQ''.

      ABUBAKR, then introduced to his friend who now claimed to be the Messenger of God, a group of four men from among his colleagues in commerical business namely:ِ ABDU-AL-RAHMAN, OTHMÄN, TALHA, ZOBAIR.

      ABUBAKR was an influential wealthy man, and made use of his influence and wealth for improving Islam. Within a period of three years before Mohammad's public preaching, some fifty persons were converted, among whom the following were of more fame and reputation:ِ AL, ARQAM-ABUOBEID-OMMAR'S SISTER AND HER HUSBAND, ABDULLAH JAAFAR-IBN-ABUTALIB AND OMAR.

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE)