The Prophet
Life before Prophethood
warm emotions towards his orphan grandson.
He was more loving and compassionate with
his grandson than his own children. A few
years later ‘Abdul-Muttalib passed away in
Makkah. The charge of the Prophet (SAW) now
passed to his uncle Abu Talib. Abu Talib took
on the responsibility of his nephew in the best
Immediately she noticed positive changes
way. He placed him with his own children and
such as producing sufficient milk to nurse
both Muhammad (SAW) and his foster brother preferred him to them. He held Muhammad
(SAW) in high esteem. Muhammad (SAW)
leaving them satisfied and without hunger.
stayed with his uncle throughout many years.
To their astonishment the she-camel began
producing plenty milk from which they drank He had no particular job at his early youth,
their fill and enjoyed sound sleep. The barren
but it was reported that he worked as a
lands sprouted luscious grass and the animals
shepherd for Bani Sa’d and in Makkah for a
grazed in the pastures and returned satisfied
wage. [Sahih Bukhari 2262]
and healthy; they even began producing milk.
Muhammad (SAW) stayed with Halimah
At the age of 25 he went to Syria as a merchant
and her family for two years until he was
for Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA). The
weaned and during that time were blessed
with significant good fortune. On their return Quraysh were merchants, so when Khadijah
(RA) was informed of Muhammad (SAW),
to Makkah they earnestly requested that
his truthful words, great honesty and kind
Muhammad (SAW) stay with them as they
manners, she sent for him and offered him
loved him and he brought their family much
money to go to Syria and conduct business for
goodness.
her. He agreed and went with her servant to
Syria for trade. When he returned to Makkah,
The Prophet (SAW) was allowed to stay with
them for more years, then as related by Anas Khadijah (RA) noticed greater profits and
blessings in her business than usual. Her
in Sahih Muslim , Jibreel (AS) came down,
servant also told her of Muhammad’s (SAW)
opened his chest and took out the heart, he
good manners, honesty, deep thought and
then extracted a blood clot out of it and said:
sincerity and faith.
“That was a part of satan in thee.” And then
he washed it with water of Zamzam in a gold
basin. After that the heart was joined together Upon realizing this, she developed a wish for
marriage, despite her many earlier proposals
and restored to its place. The boys and
playmates went running to his mother, i.e., his which she declined, she disclosed her wish
to her friend who immediately went to
nurse and said:
Muhammad (SAW) to inform him. He agreed
and requested his uncles to go to Khadija’s
“Verily, Muhammad (SAW) has been
uncle to discuss the matter. Subsequently they
murdered.” They all rushed towards him and
found him to be alright and that only his
were married, at the time she was forty years
face was pale. And Anas said, “I have seen
old and was considered the best of women
the mark that was left on his chest.” [Sahih
in lineage, fortune and wisdom. She was the
Muslim 1/92]
first wife of Muhammad (SAW) and he did not
marry any other until she had passed away. It
After this event, Halimah returned
was during their marriage that Muhammad
Muhammed (SAW) to his mother Aminah
ibn Abdullah became The Messenger of Allah
with whom he stayed for a short while as she (SAW).
passed away some time after. ‘Abdul Muttalib
brought Muhammad (SAW) to Makkah. He had
it was time to return, Halimah did not yet have
an infant so she agreed to take Muhammad
(SAW) despite him being an orphan with the
hope that Allah would bless them through this
child.
BY Kerina Mohammed
Source: The Sealed Nectar – Biography of the Noble Prophet (SAW) [Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri]
Ihsaan | Issue 3 | 9