Who Were the First Muslims?

This Sirah lesson introduces young learners to the first people who believed in the message of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It answers a question every Muslim child should know: who were the first to say yes?

Angel Jibril brings more verses of the Qur’an to the Prophet ﷺ, who shares the message with those closest to him. Khadijah رضي الله عنها believes him at once. She knew he always spoke the truth. She becomes the first Muslim woman. ʿAli رضي الله عنه, the Prophet’s cousin, saw them praying one day and asks what they were doing. The Prophet ﷺ explains, and ten-year-old ʿAli رضي الله عنه replies: “I want to join you!” He becomes the first Muslim child. Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, the Prophet’s closest friend, hears the message and believes straight away. He becomes the first Muslim man. Then Allah commands the Prophet ﷺ to take the message further. He climbs Mount Safa and calls out to the people of Makkah: “Worship Allah alone!” Not everyone listens. Abu Lahab, the Prophet’s uncle, throws sand and turns away in anger.

The three activities stay close to the lesson’s heart. The first is a shahadah certificate: learners write their own name, trace the Arabic words of the shahadah, and a teacher signs at the bottom beneath the pledge “I will always follow the truth!” The second gives learners three award badges first Muslim man, first Muslim child, first Muslim woman and asks them to write the correct name in each. The third is a role-play: learners imagine telling their family “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger,” then answer the questions their family asks back Who is Allah? Who is Muhammad ﷺ? What do you do to show you are a Muslim?