Musnad Ahmad

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Rabi’ah, who had witnessed the era of ignorance and later became a Muslim, that I saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) presenting his message to the people in the market called Dhu’l-Majaz, saying: “O people! Say La ilaha illallah so that you may succeed.” He would enter the streets and people would gather around him. No one was saying anything to him, and he kept repeating his words without pausing. Behind the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was a squint-eyed man, his complexion was fair and he had two braids, and he was saying: “This man is irreligious and a liar (Allah forbid).” I asked, “Who is this man?” People told me, “This is Muhammad bin Abdullah, who claims prophethood.” I asked the people, “Who is the man behind him who is denying him?” People told me, “This is the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) uncle, Abu Lahab.” The narrator said to him, “You must have been very young at that time.” He replied, “No, by Allah, I was sensible at that time.”