LINEAGE AND EARLY DAYS
The prophet peace be upon him belonged to the Hashemite family, named after his great grandfather Hashim Bin Abd Manaf. Banu Hashim was responsible for giving food and water to the pilgrims. The responsibility of feeding the pilgrims was passed on to the prophet’s grandfather, Abdul Muttalib. He is famous for restoring the well of Zamzam from which thousands of pilgrims drank. This became a tradition and to this day millions of pilgrims enjoy its fresh water. The Prophet’s father Abdullah was the smartest and most loved son of Abdul Muttalib. He was married to Aminah, daughter of a prominent chief of Banu Zahra. Abdullah died while he was returning from a trade journey from Syria in Madinah at the age of 25.
The Prophet peace be upon him was born on the 9th of Rabi ul Awwal in the year of Elephant (The incident when Abraha, king of Yemen marched to Makkah to bring down the Ka’abah on an Elephant). He was named Mohammad which was a very rare name amongst the Arabs by his grandfather.
It was a common Arab custom to send children to Bedouin nurses for their upbringing in a clean and healthy environment. The prophet peace be upon him was entrusted to Halimah Bint Abi Dhuaib. The Prophet stayed with her for around four or five years. Halimah grew worried about the prophet peace be upon him after the incident of the opening of his chest by angel Jibreel.
It was narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that that Jibreel came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when he was playing with the other boys. He took hold of him and threw him to the ground, then he opened his chest and took out his heart, from which he took a clot of blood and said: “This was the Satan’s share of you.” Then he washed it in a vessel of gold that was filled with Zamzam. Then he put it back together and returned it to its place. The boys went running to his mother – meaning his nurse – and said: Muhammad has been killed! They went to him and his color had changed. Anas said: I used to see the mark of that stitching on his chest.
Narrated by Muslim (162).
She decided to give him back to his mother after the incident.
Aminah took the prophet peace be upon him to Madinah to visit her husband’s grave. She died on their way back to Makkah. Thus, Mohammad peace be upon him lost both his parents at the tender age of six.
His grandfather Abdul Muttalib took him in his care. He loved the Prophet with all his heart. He would favor the prophet over his own sons. Sadly, he too passed away when the prophet peace be upon him was eight years old. Abu Talib, the uncle of the Prophet peace be upon him took him in after the demise of his father (Abdul Muttalib).
When the Prophet peace be upon him turned twelve, he accompanied Abu Talib on a trade journey to Syria. Bahira, a monk came to meet the caravan when they reached Busra. He recognized the Prophet and said while taking his hand:
“This is the master of all humans. Allah will send him with a Message which will be a mercy to all beings.”
Abu Talib asked: “How do you know that?”
He replied: “When you appeared from the direction of ‘Aqabah, all stones and trees prostrated themselves, which they never do except for a Prophet. I can recognize him also by the seal of Prophet hood which is below his shoulder, like an apple. We have found this in our books.”
He also asked Abu Talib to send the boy back to Makkah and not to take him to Syria for fear of the Romans and Jews. Abu Talib obeyed and sent him back to Makkah with some of his men servants.
It is reported that the prophet peace be upon him worked as a shepherd in his early youth. Herding sheep has been a famous occupation for many prophets. This gave the Prophet peace be upon him time to ponder upon his surroundings, the celestial bodies, the desert and other creations.
Al-mubarakpuri, S.2008. The Sealed Nectar. Darussalam, second edition.