Period of Secret Dawah

For approximately three years, the Prophet ﷺ called people to Islam secretly. The first believers included Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Ali ibn Abi Talib (then about 10 years old), Zayd ibn Harithah (his freed slave and adopted son), and Uthman ibn Affan. Abu Bakr was instrumental in bringing many early converts including al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, and Talhah ibn Ubaydillah.