Warning Verse


The Warning Verse is verse 214 of the Quran's 26th chapter, Ash-Shu'ara. According to Islamic tradition, it was revealed to Muhammad in the third year of his prophetic mission, and instructed him to encourage his relatives to convert to Islam.

The Context of the verse

وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ الْأَقْرَبِينَ

And warn, O Muhammad, your closest kindred.

In Islamic commentaries

Sunni perspective

The verse is mentioned in several ahadith. One hadith in Sahih Bukhari states that Muhammad called individuals from various clans of the Quraysh tribe to a mountain in Mecca, and informed them of their impending punishment from Allah if they did not embrace his religion. The hadith says that Muhammad's uncle Abu Lahab disparaged him for the gathering, resulting in his damnation in the Quran.

Shia perspective

According to one Shia tradition, after the verse was revealed, Muhammad invited his close relatives to the home of his uncle, Abu Talib, for a meal. In addition to Abu Talib himself, his uncles Hamza and Abu Lahab accepted the invitation. Muhammad's attempts to proselytize those gathered were interrupted by Abu Lahab, but he was able to declare his message during a similar gathering the next day. The tradition states that of all those gathered, only Ali, Abu Talib's son, accepted the message. This prompted Muhammad to declare him his heir.