The injunctions of Muhammad to his converts were then as follows: 'The duty of believing in one God; in a future reward reserved for the righteous in another life, and a future punishment for the wicked; of acknowledging himself as the Apostle of God, and of obeying him as such; of practising ablution; of offering up prayer according to certain specified rules.' These, he said, did not constitute a new religion, but merely restored the ancient religion of Abraham to its pristine purity. His teachings, he maintained, were revelations conveyed to him by Gabriel, and he simply repeated what the angel communicated to him. His assumption of the title of Apostle of God, in whose name he now spoke, A.D. 610. His frequent revelations for three years, and the commencement of his public preaching to the Koraish, who would not listen, but regarded him as a half-witted poet. His denouncement of idolatry, and the consequent persecutions of himself and his followers by the Koraish. Conversions in the house of Arcam, afterwards styled the House of Islam. The first emigration to Abyssinia of some of his followers by his advice, and their speedy return, A.D. 615. The lapse of Muhammad and his idolatrous concession, but afterwards disowned and disavowed. The second emigration to Abyssinia, A.D. 615-616. The conversion of Hamzah and Omar and thirty-nine adherents of the latter--a great event, A.D. 615-616. The Koraish try to come to terms with Muhammad, but fail. The prohibition of all intercourse with Muhammad and his followers by order of the Koraish, and a general persecution. The excommunication of Muhammad and of the descendants of Hisham and Muttalib, which lasted more than three years, A.D. 617-620. The death of Muhammad's first wife, Khadijah, in December, A.D. 619, and of his uncle, Abu Thaleb, in January, 620. His critical position. He seeks an asylum at Taif, but not being well received, returns to Mecca, remaining there in comparative retirement. His marriage, A.D. 620, with Saudah-bint-Zamaah, the widow of one Sukran, and his betrothal to Ayesha, the daughter of Abu Bakr, then only eight years old. The first meeting at the Pilgrimage of a party from Yathrib (Madinah), to whom Muhammad expounds his doctrines. The listeners profess their belief in him, and propose to advocate his cause in their native place. March, A.D. 620. The conference at Akabah, a hill on the north side of Mecca, with the men of certain tribes resident at Yathrib, who took an oath to be faithful to Muhammad and his religion. This is called 'the first pledge of Akabah.' April, A.D. 621. The despatch of Musaab, a Meccan disciple, to Yathrib, for the purpose of giving instruction in the Koran and in the rites of the new religion.