The Childhood and Youth of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.)
The Childhood and Youth of the Holy Prophet
(S.A.W.)
The Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad Al-Mustafa (S),
was born after sunrise on Friday the 17th of Rabiul Awwal 570 A.D. in Makka. He
was born in the Year of the Elephant, when Abraha tried to destroy the Holy
Ka'ba. The parents of the Holy Prophet (S) were Abdullah son of
Abdul Muttalib and Aamina daughter of Wahab. Abdullah died two months before his
son was born and was buried in Madina. The Holy Prophet (S) belonged to the
respected family of Bani Hashim from the tribe of Quraish. Abdul
Muttalib decided to bring up the Holy Prophet (S) under his own care. On the
seventh day of the birth of his grandson, he slaughtered a sheep to show his
gratitude to Allah for blessing him with a healthy grandson. Many people were
invited to take part in the celebrations. In this gathering, Abdul
Muttalib announced to the people that he would name the child "Muhammad", which
means "One who is worthy of praise". When the Quraish asked him why he was
keeping such an unusual name, he replied that he wanted his grandson to be
praised in the heavens and on the earth. Before this event, the
Holy Prophet's (S) mother had already named him "Ahmad". Allah has referred to
him by both names in the Holy Qur'an. The Holy Prophet (S) was
breastfed by his own mother Aamina for three days only. As was the custom in
those days, he was then given to a foster-mother to nurse. Two women had this
honour. They were: Suwaybah. She was a slave of Abu
Lahab and nursed the Holy Prophet (S) for four months. The Holy Prophet (S) and
his wife Bibi Khadija (A) always regarded her with great kindness throughout her
life. When the Holy Prophet (S) returned from the battle of Khaybar he learnt of
her death and was saddened by it. Halimah. She belonged to the
tribe of Sa'd bin Bakr. She brought up the Holy Prophet (S) outside the city of
Makka in the desert. Here he grew up strong and healthy and learnt the pure
Arabic language of the desert. He stayed with her for five years.
THE CHILDHOOD OF THE HOLY PROPHET (S) The Holy
Prophet (S) lived in the desert with Halimah for five years and she looked after
him very well. During this time he learnt about handling animals and also
trained in archery. In this happy atmosphere he grew up strong and healthy.
Halimah regarded him as very special, because ever since he had come under her
care, she was showered with the blessings of Allah and became rich. When he was five years old, Halimah returned the Holy Prophet (S) to
the care of his mother Lady Aamina. The young boy was very dear to his
grandfather Abdul Muttalib, because he reminded him of his son Abdullah. Lady Aamina decided to go to Madina to visit the grave of her husband,
Abdullah, and also meet some of her relatives. She took the Holy Prophet (S)
along with her and stayed for one month. On the way back to Makka, tragedy
struck, and Lady Aamina fell ill at a place called Abwa. After a short time she
died and was buried there. The Holy Prophet (S) was now an orphan and Abdul
Muttalib took him under his wing. He loved his grandson very much and made sure
that he did not feel unwanted. The Holy Qur'an mentions this event as follows:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Kind, the Most Merciful Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter? (Suratu Dhuha, 93:6) The Holy Prophet (S) was only eight
years old when he lost his grandfather. Before his death, Abdul Muttalib made
his son Abu Talib responsible for taking care of the young child. This was a duty, which Abu Talib carried out fully for the rest of his
life. The loss of Abdul Muttalib made the Holy Prophet (S) very
sad, and he kept weeping upto the very edge of the grave and never forgot his
kindness. There were many reasons why Abdul Muttalib chose Abu
Talib as the guardian of the Holy Prophet (S). Abu Talib and Abdullah were born
of the same mother. He was also well known for his generous nature. He treated
the Holy Prophet (S) better than his own sons, and never let him feel lonely.
When the Holy Prophet (S) was twelve years old, Abu Talib took him on
a trade journey into Syria with a caravan of the Quraish. On the way they passed
through Madyan, the Qura valley and the country of Samud and saw the beautiful
natural scenery of Syria. The Holy Prophet (S) used to say that this was one of
the most pleasant trips he had ever been on. At Basra, the caravan
stopped to stock up supplies for the rest of the journey. There was an old
Christian monk whose name was Bahira, who lived in an old monastery in Basra.
The monk never used to speak but when he saw the Holy Prophet (S), he broke his
silence and asked, "Who is this boy?" Abu Talib answered that he was his nephew.
Bahira then said, "This boy has a brilliant future. He is the same Prophet whose
coming has been foretold in the Heavenly Books. His religion will spread
throughout the world. However, you must guard him from the Jews, because if they
learn about him, they will kill him". Some historians say that
after this warning, Abu Talib did not like to continue his journey and returned
with the Holy Prophet (S) to Makka, while others say that he went on to Syria
but kept an extra watch over the safety of the Holy Prophet (S). In any case,
Abu Talib was more careful than before about the safety of his nephew. Some historians have written that the Holy Prophet (S) learnt about
the stories of the other Prophets and history from the Christian monk and that
is how he related them to the people in the form of the Holy Qur'an. This is a
shameful lie. It is difficult for one to believe that the Holy Prophet (S)
learnt all the stories from his short meeting with the Christian and managed to
remember everything for 28 years and then pretended that the Holy Qur'an was
revealed to him at the age of 40. The meeting with Bahira served no real purpose
except to make Abu Talib aware that his nephew was a very special person. Thus, the Holy Prophet (S) grew up in the household of Abu Talib,
loved and cherished by all. His aunt, Fatima binte Asad, the wife of Abu Talib
and mother of Imam Ali (A) looked after him as if he was her own son. Now you know… When the Holy Prophet (S) reached the age
of five, Halimah returned him to the care of his mother Lady Aamina. Lady Aamina took the Holy Prophet (S) to Madina to visit the grave of
her husband, Abdullah, and to meet some of her relatives. However, on the return
journey she fell ill and died at a place called Abwa, where she was buried. Orphaned, the Holy Prophet (S) was taken under the care of his
grandfather Abdul Muttalib. Sadly, when he was only eight years old he also lost
his grandfather. So, the responsibility of looking after the Holy
Prophet (S) was handed over to his uncle Abu Talib, who treated him better than
his own sons. His aunt, Fatima daughter of Asad also treated him well. At the age of twelve Abu Talib took the Holy Prophet (S) on a trade
journey with a caravan of the Quraish. At Basra, an old Christian monk by the
name of Bahira upon seeing the Holy Prophet (S) inquired who he was. Abu Talib
said that he was his nephew. Bahira said that this boy was the
same Prophet mentioned in the Heavenly Books. His religion would spread
throughout the world. However, if the Jews found him, they would kill him. From then on Abu Talib took special care of the Holy Prophet (S).
ABU TALIB AND THE HOLY PROPHET (S) At the time
of his death, Abdul Muttalib left the Holy Prophet (S) in the care of his son
Abu Talib. Abu Talib and Abdullah, the father of the Holy Prophet (S), were
brothers born of the same mother. Abu Talib took the Holy Prophet (S) into his
home and treated the young boy, who was only eight years old, like his own son.
His wife, Fatima binte Asad, also loved the Holy Prophet (S) dearly and he
regarded her as his mother. Since the time he received a warning
from the Christian monk Bahira, Abu Talib was very careful about the personal
safety of his nephew. He used to ask one of his own sons to sleep in the bed of
the Holy Prophet (S), so that if any attack was made, he would come to no
harm. As the Holy Prophet (S) grew up, he was always under the
protection of his loving uncle who was one of the most respected leaders of the
Quraish. When the Holy Prophet (S) was older, it was Abu Talib who encouraged
him to take part in the business of trade caravans. He arranged for his nephew
to be introduced into the service of Khadija binte Khuwaylid. This introduction
was to lead to the marriage of the Holy Prophet (S) to that noble lady. At the
marriage, it was Abu Talib who recited the sermon and conducted the ceremony.
When the time came for the Holy Prophet (S) to announce his mission of
Prophethood, Abu Talib was one of his strongest supporters. While he was under
the powerful protection of his uncle, the Quraish did not dare to harm the Holy
Prophet (S). When the Quraish exiled the Muslims from Makka they lived for three
years in a valley known as the "Valley of Abu Talib". At this time Abu Talib
also went through the same difficulties that the Holy Prophet (S) underwent,
although he could have easily returned to Makka where he was still respected and
honoured amongst the Quraish. Although some ignorant people write
that Abu Talib was not a Muslim, there are many reasons why this cannot be true.
Firstly, Abu Talib himself conducted the marriage of the Holy Prophet (S), and a
person who is not a Muslim cannot conduct the marriage of another Muslim. Secondly, Fatima binte Asad was known to be a Muslim and she was also
the wife of Abu Talib till she died. A Muslim woman cannot remain married to a
man who is not a Muslim. Thirdly, at the death of Abu Talib, the
Holy Prophet (S) wept for a long time and then prayed for him. Yet we know that
it is forbidden to pray for the forgiveness of a person who is not a Muslim. All
these and many other reasons prove beyond doubt that, even if he did not declare
it openly, Abu Talib was a Muslim of strong faith. In his will, Abu
Talib instructed his children to always stand by the Holy Prophet (S) and never
to leave him. He also advised them to follow Islam, so that they would be
successful. The death of his uncle after a lifetime of
companionship made the Holy Prophet (S) very sad. During the same year he also
lost his dear wife, Bibi Khadija (A). For these reasons, the Holy Prophet (S)
called this year "Aamul Huzn" Now you know… Abu
Talib was chosen as the guardian of the Holy Prophet (S) because his father
Abdullah and Abu Talib were born of the same mother. After the
warning of Bahira, the Christian monk, Abu Talib was very careful about the
safety of the Holy Prophet (S). He used to ask one of his sons to sleep in the
bed of the Holy Prophet (S), so that if any attack was made, he would come to no
harm. Abu Talib encouraged the Holy Prophet (S) to take part in the
business of trade caravans. He was introduced into the service of Khadija
daughter of Khuwaylid; later he got married to her. When the Holy
Prophet (S) announced his prophethood, Abu Talib was one of his strongest
supporters. He also suffered with the Holy Prophet (S) when the Quraish exciled
the Muslims from Makka. Proof that Abu Talib was a Muslim: He conducted the marriage of the Holy Prophet (S), and only a Muslim
can do that. Fatima daughter of Asad was married to Abu Talib, and
she was a Muslim. A Muslim woman can only remain married to a Muslim man. The Holy Prophet (S) cried and prayed for the forgiveness of Abu Talib
when he died. It is forbidden in Islam to pray for the forgiveness of a
non-Muslim.
THE YOUTH OF THE HOLY PROPHET (S) As the Holy
Prophet (S) grew up, the people around him noticed that this young man was not
like others of his age. The people admired his character and bravery and all the
Quraish liked him. In his youth, the Holy Prophet (S) accompanied
his uncle Abu Talib on trade journeys to Syria and Yemen. He soon gained a
reputation in Makka for his good business sense, his honesty and
trustworthiness. People were so impressed by the qualities of the
Holy Prophet (S), that they began to call him as-Sadiq (the Truthful) and
al-Ameen (the Trustworthy). When the Holy Prophet (S) would pass
them, people would say: "There goes the young man who behaves
equally well with the high and the low. He is considerate to his equals,
respects the elders and always shows love and affection to the children. He
never speaks a lie or misuses anything entrusted to his care. He does not look
at women with an evil intent and is never rude to anybody. He does not backbite
or spend his time in finding faults in people." Such was the
character of our Holy Prophet (S), and in later years even his enemies would
still leave their belongings with him for safekeeping when they went on a trip
away from Makka. Once a man came to Makka and was cheated by a
trader in the market place. He complained to the Quraish that he had been
mistreated. At that time, some leading citizens formed a committee that would
look into such incidents and try to help the people who were unfairly
treated. They decided that the main tribes of Quraish should make
an agreement that would protect the rights of the people. This important
covenant was called "Hilful Fudhool" or "Covenant of High Morals". The Holy
Prophet (S) participated in this agreement and was an active member of the
Hilful Fudhool. The Holy Prophet (S) also spent part of his youth
as a shepherd. Thus, by the time he was 25 years of age, the Holy
Prophet (S) had built himself a good reputation in Makka and had gained the
trust and affection of the people around him. Now you know… As the Holy Prophet (S) grew up, he stood out as an exceptional young
man unlike others of his age. The Quraish admired him for his bravery and
character. He spent part of his youth as a shepherd and he also
accompanied his uncle Abu Talib on trade journey to Syria and Yemen. During the trade journeys he built a good reputation because of his
honesty and trustworthiness. People used to call him as-Sadiq (the truthful) and
al-Ameen (the trustworthy). Even his enemies trusted him; many
would leave their belongings with him for safekeeping when they went on a trip
away from Makka. The Holy Prophet (S) was an active member of
'Hilful Fudhool' – Covenant of High Morals. This was an agreement that protected
the rights of the people. By the age of 25, the Holy Prophet (S)
had gained the trust and affection of the people around him.
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