The Prophet started his mission in Makkah in 610 AD. He stayed in Makkah for 13 years. People created a lot of problems for the Prophet. Some of his Companions were even killed. The opponents also tried to kill the Prophet himself. At that time, the Prophet's Companions asked for permission for jihad. The Companions said they would fight the opponents of Islam and teach them a lesson. The Prophet replied: اصبروا، فإنى لم أومر بالقتال (al-Mawahib al-Ladunniyyah 1:199) Be patient, because I have not been given permission to fight.

What is patience? Patience means peaceful planning. Patience, or sabr, is not cowardice. Patience is peaceful planning. When you do not clash with people, you will do something else. You will leave confrontation and apply your mind on new strategies and planning. The Prophet said: اصبروا فاني لم اومر بالقتال (Be patient because I have not been given permission to fight.) This means: Be patient and try to follow the peaceful method. Thus all of the Prophet's Companions left Makkah and went to Madinah. At first, only two men were sent. All Muslims were not together sent to Madinah. Two men were sent to Madinah and they would recite the Quran. They were called muqri. Muqri means 'reader'. These two men would find gatherings of 10-15 people and recite the Quran to them. They had no other work. There is no proof in books that these two Muslims would complain about Makkans. They didn't speak about the atrocities they were facing in Makkah. There is no proof of such behaviour which is so common today. When people go to another place, what do they do first? They narrate stories of oppression and conspiracy. But the Companions didn’t do this. They were being persecuted in Makkah. Living in Makkah had become impossible for them. This is why they went to Madinah. But in Madinah they didn’t complain about what they faced in Makkah. There is no reference of such complaints. The Companions used to only recite the Quran to people.

There is great rhythm in the Quran and its sound art is par excellence. When the Muslims recited the Quran, people of Madinah would come to listen as they also knew Arabic. The Quran speaks of peace, justice and humanity. In this way, all the people of Madinah accepted Islam. This was the Prophet's method: avoiding confrontation and guiding people to adopt peaceful methods.