Allah (swt) ordered the Prophet (saw):

“O you wrapped in garments, arise and warn, your Lord Magnify!” (TMQ al-Mudathir, verse 1-3)

Imam Abu Ja’far At-Tabari comments: “Allah commanded the Prophet (saw) to rise up to warn the people that Allah would punish them for ingratitude to their Rabb and their worship of the false gods and the idols to the exclusion of Him who created them and gave them their daily bread. He (saw) was also to tell them of his Lord’s bounty to himself, with the words, “Of the bounty of your Lord let your discourse be..” According to Ibn Ishaq this was his Prophethood (at-Tareekh at Tabari Vol. 6 Par 1156).

It was after this Ayah was revealed that the Prophet (saw) addressed his people to carry his Da’awah. He started to warn them to embrace Islam, accept the Tawheed (oneness) of Allah, the Khaliq (Creator) and the Malik (Sovereign) with no partners, and to accept his (saw) leadership. He did this not through challenging any of the Quraysh, nor through challenging their way of life, rather through expressing the Aqeedah to them for them to embrace it. If they did then he would culture them with Islam as the Ayaat of the Qur’an came down.

This phase of the Prophet’s (saw) Da’awah lasted for three years and he (saw) repeatedly undertook the two actions commanded although he utilised many different styles. So at times he (saw) invited people to his house, at other times he visited them. At other times he (saw) discussed with them at the markets and there are many narration’s pertaining to this. However, he (saw) repeatedly undertook two actions, inviting people to embrace Islam, and building the strong understanding and Iman in Laa ilaha ill Allah, amongst those who accepted his message.