Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) was born on Monday, the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal, in the Year of the Elephant, which corresponds to 571 CE. His birth occurred approximately fifty-five days after the famous event of the Elephant. His mother was named Aminah. She once had a vision in which an angel informed her that her unborn child had been named Ahmad. Acting upon this, she named him Ahmad, while his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, chose for him the name Muhammad.
When people inquired why Abdul-Muttalib had given his grandson a name not common in their family lineage, he replied, “It is because I desire that my grandson be universally praised.”
The Prophet’s father was Abdullah, a member of the noble Quraysh tribe, whose ancestry traces back to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) (peace be upon him). Tragically, Abdullah passed away before his son’s birth at the young age of twenty-five.
Shortly after his birth, the Prophet (peace be upon him) remained with his mother for a few days. Following the prevailing Arab custom, he was then entrusted to Halimah al-Sa’diyah, a wet nurse, who nursed him for two years. Halimah kept him in her care for an additional two years, so he was four years old when he returned to his mother. During his stay with her, he would tend to sheep alongside other boys his age.
At the age of six, his mother took him to visit relatives in Madinah. It was there that he learned to swim in a pond. On their return journey after a month, she fell ill and passed away at Al-Abwa’, a location situated between Makkah and Madinah.
Following his mother’s death, his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib, took charge of his upbringing. However, when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was only eight years old, his grandfather also died, leaving him deeply grieved.
After this loss, the Prophet (peace be upon him) went to live with his paternal uncle, Abu Talib, who was his father’s only full brother among his eleven uncles.
From a young age, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) was distinct from his peers. He never engaged in mischief or quarreled with others. He was under the special protection of Allah, safeguarded from all forms of evil, and was always eager to assist his uncle.
At the age of twelve, Abu Talib prepared to join a merchant caravan bound for Syria, intending to leave his nephew behind in Makkah. However, the boy was so attached to his uncle that he could not bear the thought of separation. Touched by his nephew’s devotion, Abu Talib relented and took him along.
When the caravan reached Bosra, a Christian monk recognized him as the final Prophet. The monk approached Abu Talib and explained the signs of Prophethood described in the Torah and the Gospel. He then strongly advised Abu Talib to return home with his nephew without delay.
Abdul-Muttalib had previously instructed Abu Talib to take exceptional care of the young Muhammad, so Abu Talib was always vigilant and protective. In fact, he treated him with even greater kindness than he showed to his own sons, Ali, Ja’far, and Aqil.
As he matured, Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) remained under the divine protection of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic. He meticulously avoided every shameful deed and reprehensible habit. His character shone brilliantly in courage, truthfulness, and trustworthiness.
At fourteen, the Fijar Wars erupted between the Quraysh and Qays tribes—a series of conflicts that lasted for an extended period. The Prophet (peace be upon him) participated in the final war of this series, where his role was limited to gathering the enemy’s fallen arrows and handing them to his uncles to use. It was during these tribal skirmishes that he acquired skills in horsemanship and the art of warfare.
Upon reaching adulthood, the Prophet (peace be upon him) turned to trade as his profession, a path his uncle Abu Talib approved of. He frequently joined trading caravans with his merchandise and consistently returned with substantial profits. Travelers and merchants who accompanied him were consistently impressed by his integrity, gracious conduct, diligence, and honesty. These noble qualities earned him immense respect throughout Arabia, and people began to call him “Al-Sadiq” (the Truthful) and “Al-Ameen” (the Trustworthy).
On one occasion, a man entered into a business agreement with the Prophet (peace be upon him). Before the deal was finalized, the man had to depart urgently for another destination. He asked the Prophet to wait for his return to complete the transaction. However, upon leaving, the man forgot his request. When he passed by the same spot three days later, he found the Prophet (peace be upon him) still waiting there. As the man approached, the Prophet gently remarked, “You have caused me considerable difficulty; I am still awaiting you.”
Marriage to Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her)
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, a noble and wealthy woman from the Banu Asad clan of Quraysh, was widowed. She managed her business by sending goods for sale to Syria, Iraq, and Yemen through her agents. Upon hearing of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) renowned honesty and reliability, she sent her nephew, Maysarah, with a proposal for him to manage her trade caravan to Syria.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) sought Abu Talib’s counsel and then accepted Khadijah’s offer. She arranged a fair wage for him, and her slave Maysarah, along with a relative named Khuzaymah, accompanied him on the journey. The expedition was highly successful, as he sold nearly all the goods entrusted to him. From then on, he led Khadijah’s trade caravans and returned triumphant each time.
His impeccable character, trustworthiness, and noble demeanor were evident to Khadijah. Although many affluent and noble men in Makkah sought her hand in marriage, she herself initiated a proposal through a female intermediary. The Prophet (peace be upon him) accepted, and they were married. Their wedding ceremony was attended by relatives from both families. At the time of their marriage, he was twenty-five years old, and she was forty. They were blessed with two sons and four daughters.
The Rebuilding of the Ka’bah
On one occasion, a fire caused by human negligence severely damaged the Ka’bah, creating deep cracks in its walls. The Quraysh agreed to rebuild it. When construction reached the height where the Hajar al-Aswad (the Black Stone) was to be repositioned, a fierce dispute arose. The leader of every tribe coveted the honor of placing the stone, leading to intense arguments and drawn swords. The Quraysh remained in this state of deadlock for five days.
Finally, they resolved that the first man to enter the mosque’s gate would arbitrate the matter. The first person to arrive was Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him). Upon seeing him, they unanimously declared, “This is Muhammad, the Trustworthy. We will all accept his judgment.”
Understanding the gravity of the situation, the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked for a piece of cloth. He placed the Black Stone in its center and instructed the chief of each tribe to hold an edge of the cloth and lift it together to the designated spot. Once the stone was raised, the Prophet (peace be upon him) placed it into its final position with his own hands. Thus, the construction proceeded peacefully, and everyone was satisfied.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was thirty-five years old when he wisely resolved this critical dispute over the Black Stone, showcasing his exceptional wisdom and fairness even before his prophethood.
