سيدنا محمد نسبه من جهة أبويه
نسبه من جهة أبيه :
هو محمد بن عبد الله بن عبد المطلب بن هاشم بن عبد مناف بن قصى بن كلاب بن مرة بن كعب بن لؤى بن غالب بن فهر بن مالك بن النضر بن كنانة بن خزيمة بن مدركة بن إلياس بن مضر بن نزار بن معد بن عدنان .
نسبه من جهة أمه :
أمه آمنة بنت وهب بن عبد مناف بن زهرة بن كلاب ، وكلاب هو الجد الخامس للرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم من جهة أبيه . وقد اتفق العلماء على أن عدنان هو الجد العشرون للرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم من ذرية سيدنا إسماعيل عليه السلام . ولقد كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم من سلالة آباء كرام وكلهم سادة وقادة ولهم مكان مكين ، ومقام بين العرب عظيم . وقد تناسل صلى الله عليه وسلم من نكاح مشروع ، ولم يكن فى أجداده من تلوث بسفاح الجاهلية بل طهر الله أصوله تطهيرا ثم اصطفاه بعد ذلك من هذه الأصول الطاهرة ليكون رحمة للعالمين وليهدى الناس بنور الحق المبين .
مولده :
خرج عبد المطلب بولده عبد الله ، يريد تزويجه حتى أتى به وهب بن عبد مناف بن زهرة ، وهو يومئذ سيد بنى زهرة سنا وشرفا ، فزوجه ابنته آمنة وهى يومئذ : أفضل امرأة فى قريش نسبا وموضعا ، فحملت برسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ولم يمكث عبد الله مع زوجته إلا وقتا قصيرا ، ثم خرج فى قافلة تجارية إلى الشام بعد أن حملت زوجته . وقد شاء الله أن ترجع القافلة التجارية من الشام ويتخلف عبد الله بالمدينة عند أخواله من بنى عدى بن النجار لشدة مرضه ، حيث أدركته الوفاة ، وزوجته آمنة فى شهور الحمل الأولى ، وكان عمره ثمانية عشر عاما وقد ترك لزوجته وولدها الجنين ثروة ضئيلة هى خمسة من الجمال وقطيع صغير من الغنم وجارية هى أم أيمن ، ولما تم حمل آمنة ووضعت ولدها ، جاء البشير إلى جده عبد المطلب فأخبره بهذا النبأ العظيم ، ففرح عبد المطلب بهذه البشرى وأقبل مسرورا وحمل الوليد الصغير بين يديه وذهب إلى الكعبة يباركه ، ثم سماه محمدا ولم يكن هذا الاسم شائعا عند العرب قبل ذلك ، ولكن الله ألهم جده بهذه التسمية ، وقال : سميته محمدا ليكون محمودا عند الله وعند الناس .
وقد كانت ولادته صلى الله عليه وسلم فى فجر يوم الاثنين التاسع من ربيع الأول الموافق لليوم العشرين من شهر أبريل سنة 571 ميلادية وهو العام الذى وقع فيه حادث الفيل الذى تحدثنا عنه قبل ذلك (ومن العجيب أن المشهور بين الناس أن ميلاد الرسول فى الثانى عشر من شهر ربيع الأول ولكن التحقيق العلمى هو ما ذكرناه) ونزل صلى الله عليه وسلم على يد (الشفاء) أم عبد الرحمن بن عوف فهى قابلته وكانت أمه تحدث أنها لم تجد حين حملت به ما تجد الحوامل من ثقل ولا وحم ولا غير ذلك. وقد كان المسلمون ولا يزالون ، يحتفلون بيوم مولده ، فَيُقْرأ كتاب الله وتتلى سنة رسوله وتوزع الصدقات على الفقراء والمحتاجين ، وفى هذا آية بينة على تعظيمه ومكانته الكبرى من قلوب المسلمين .
رضاعه :
أول من أرضعه صلى الله عليه وسلم من النساء أمه آمنة ثم ثويبة الأسلمية جارية أبى لهب ، وأم أيمن ، وأكثرهن إرضاعا له حليمة السعدية .
وقد جرت عادة العرب أن يلتمسوا المراضع لأولادهم فى البادية بعيدا عن المدن لينشأ الطفل صافى الذهن قوى العزيمة ، صحيح الجسد فجاءت المراضع يطلبن أطفالا للرضاعة ، فكان محمد بن عبد الله من نصيب حليمة بنت أبى ذؤيب السعدية ، واسم زوجها أبو كبشة ، وقد كان لرضاع محمد عندهم أثر محمود فى حياتهم ، فاتسعت أرزاقهم بفضل الله ورحمته ، وكان وجوده خير وبركة ، وظل معهم مدة تقرب من خمسة أعوام وأسعدها الله بالإسلام هى وزوجها وبنوه بعد ذلك .
شق صدره الشريف :
لقد جرت سنة الله تعالى فى أنبيائه أن يكرمهم بالمعجزات قبل أن يبعثهم إلى الناس حتى تتهيأ العقول بعد ذلك لقبول دعوتهم ، وتذكر الروايات التاريخية عن محمد وهو فى الثالثة من عمره أنه كان مع أخيه من الرضاع فى بَهْمٍ (1) خلف بيوتهم : فعاد أخوه الطفل السعدى يقول لأبيه وأمه: ذلك أخى القرشى قد أخذه رجلان عليهما ثياب بيض فأضجعاه فشقا بطنه فهما يسوطانه (1)، تقول السيدة حليمة فخرجت أنا وأبوه (2) فوجدناه قائما ممتقعا وجهه ، فالتزمته والتزمه أبوه فقلنا له : مالك يا بنى؟! قال : جاءنى رجلان عليهما ثياب بيض فأضجعانى فشقا بطنى ، فالتمسا فيه شيئا لم أدر ما هو . وقد خشيت السيدة حليمة على محمد أن يكون قد أصابه شىء فأرجعته إلى أمه آمنة وقصت عليها ذلك النبأ العجيب ، فطمأنتها آمنة قائلة : إن لابنى هذا لشأنا ، فلم أكن أحس أثناء حمله بشىء مما تجده الحوامل ، ولقد رأيت وأنا أحمله كأنه نورا خرج منى فأضاء لى قصور الشام ، ثم طلبت إليها أن تعود به إلى البادية مرة ثانية فعادت به حليمة وظل معها حتى قارب الخامسة من عمره . وقد تكون هذه الحادثة العجيبة إشارة إلى تطهير الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم من الشوائب التى توجد فى نفوس الناس ، والسمو به إلى درجة عالية من الطهارات النفسية والخلقية ، كما لفت هذا الحادث أنظار العرب إليه وسلط عليه الأضواء حتى يكون ذلك إعدادا لأذهانهم لما سيكون عليه أمر محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وما ينتظره من الدعوة الإلهية .
سفره مع أمه إلى المدينة :
ثم رجعت حليمة بمحمد إلى أمه آمنة فى مكة فظل معها حتى بلغ ستة أعوام فأخذته لزيارة أخوال جده من بنى عدى بن النجار فى يثرب وأخذت معها أم أيمن وهى الجارية التى خلفها عبد الله من بعده فلما وصلوا إلى يثرب رأى محمد قبر والده فانطبعت فى نفسه معان عميقة ظل يشعر بها طول حياته ، حتى لقد تحدث إلى أصحابه بعد الهجرة النبوية عن الذكريات الأليمة التى تركتها هذه الرحلة فى نفسه وهو طفل صغير .
وفاة أمه وحضانة أم أيمن له :
وقد مكثت آمنة شهرا فى يثرب وبينما هى عائدة إلى مكة أدركتها الوفاة فى الطريق فماتت بالأبواء (3) وعمرها ثلاثون سنة فرجع محمد مع جاريته أم أيمن إلى مكة محزون القلب لوفاة أمه وهو أحوج ما يكون إلى عطفها وحنانها فى هذه السن الصغيرة . وتولت أم أيمن حضانته بعد وفاة أمه ، ولذلك كان صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول لها " أنت أمى بعد أمى " ثم أوصلته إلى جده عبد المطلب الذى يحبه ويكرمه .
كفالة جده عبد المطلب :
كان لعبد المطلب فراش فى ظل الكعبة وكان بنوه يجلسون حول فراشه ولا يجرؤ أحد أن يجلس عليه إجلالا له واحتراما ، وكان محمد يأتى وهو غلام حتى يجلس عليه فيأخذه أعمامه ليؤخروه عن فراش جده فيقول عبد المطلب حين يرى ذلك منهم ، دعوا ابنى هذا فوالله إن له لشأنا . ثم يجلسه معه على الفراش ويمسح ظهره بيده ويسره ما كان يصنع . وكان محمد يرى من جده هذا العطف والحنان ، فلا يحس بألم اليتم بل يجد فى هذا الجد خير العوض عن أبيه وأمه ، ولكن الزمن لم يمهل عبد المطلب بعد وفاة آمنة سوى عامين ، ثم أدركته المنية ، ومحمد لا يزال فى الثامنة من عمره .
كفالة عمه أبى طالب :
لمـا حضـرت الوفاة جده عبد المطلب أوصى به إلى عمه أبى طالب شقيق أبيه واسمه عبد مناف وعبد الكعبة . ولقد كفله أبو طالب فكان يمثل الأبوة الرحيمة والعمومة الكريمة ولذا كان لا ينام إلا ومحمد إلى جنبه ويخرج به متى خرج وكان أبو طالب قليل المال كثير الأولاد ، ولكن كانت كفالته لمحمد فاتحة خير كثير فوسع الله عليه ، وبارك له وأدرك أبو طالب ذلك فازداد حبه لمحمد ، وأدرك محمد هذا الحب الذى يغمره به عمه فوجد فى ذلك ما أنساه مرارة اليتم وعوضه خير العوض عن جده وأبيه .
سفره معه إلى الشام وقصة بحيرى الراهب :
وقد سافر عمه أبو طالب فى تجارة إلى الشام ومحمد فى الثانية عشرة من عمره ، فلم يطق محمد أن يفارق عمه فأخذه معه إلى الشام وقد قابلهم بالقرب من بصرى(1)راهب يقال له (بحيرى)(2) فأخذ يسأل محمدا عن أشياء عن حاله وعن قومه وهيئته وأموره وأخذ محمد يخبره بخبره فيوافق ذلك ما عند بحيرى من صفته ، ثم نظر إلى ظهره فرأى خاتم النبوة بين كتفيه فلما فرغ أقبل على عمه أبى طالب يقول له : ما هذا الغلام منك؟ ، فقال : " ابنى " ، فقال له بحيرى : " ما هو بابنك وما ينبغى لهذا الغلام أن يكون أبوه حيا" ، قال : " فإنه ابن أخى " ، قال : " فما فعل أبوه؟ " قال " مات وأمه حبلى فيه " قال " صدقت " فلما رأى بحيرى فى محمد من أمارات النبوة ما جعله يؤمن بأنه هو النبى المنتظر الذى بشرت به الكتب المقدسة نصح إلى أهله ألا يوغلوا به فى بلاد الشام خوفا عليه من اليهود أن ينالوه بأذى إذا رأوا فيه تلك الأمارات .
قال سبحانه وتعالى : " الَّذِينَ آتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَعْرِفُونَهُ كَمَا يَعْرِفُونَ أَبْنَاءهُمْ وَإِنَّ فَرِيقاً مِّنْهُمْ لَيَكْتُمُونَ الْحَقَّ وَهُمْ يَعْلَمُونَ " . سورة البقرة آية 146.
وقال تعالى : " الَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ الرَّسُولَ النَّبِيَّ الأُمِّيَّ الَّذِي يَجِدُونَهُ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالإِنْجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ " . سورة الأعراف آية 157.
أحواله قبل البعثة :
نشأ محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم نشأة كريمة فكان مطبوعا على الخير مفطورا على كريم الصفات ومحاسن الأخلاق ، وذلك لأن الله عز وجل قد صنعه على عينه وأدبه فأحسن تأديبه ، وقد جاهد صلى الله عليه وسلم فى الحياة وكافح فى سبيل العيش .
اشتغاله برعى الغنم والتجارة
لقد اشتغل صلى الله عليه وسلم بالتجارة ، واشتغل كذلك برعى الغنم وكان يتحدث عن ذلك بعد البعثة ، فيقول " مَا بَعَثَ اللَّهُ نَبِيًّا إِلاَّ رَاعِيَ غَنَمٍ " ويقول : "بعث موسى وهو راعى غنم ، وبعث داود وهو راعى غنم ، وبعثت وأنا أرعى غنم أهلى بأجياد" (1) .
وكأن الله يربي في الانبياء القدرة على التجميع والتوحيد برعي الغنم .
وكان فى تجارته مثال الصدق والأمانة فعمت ثقة الناس به ، وكان فى رعيه للغنم مثال الرحمة والجلد والمثابرة ، فكان الناس يتحدثون عنه حديث التقدير والإعجاب ، وما كانوا يدرون أن راعى الغنم سيصبح بعد قليل من الزمان راعى شعوب وأمم ومرشد البشرية إلى الحق وإلى طريق مستقيم . ولقد حضر محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم فى شبابه حرب الفجار وهى حرب قامت بين كنانة وقيس وهما قبيلتان من قبائل العرب ، وقد انضمت قريش إلى كنانة ، وكان محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم مع أعمامه يناولهم السهام أحيانا ويقاتل معهم أحيانا أخرى ، ولقد استمرت هذه الحروب أربعة أعوام ، ثم انتهت بالصلح بين الفريقين . ثم شهد محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم بعد حرب الفجار حلفا وميثاقا كريما يدعو إلى الدفاع عن الحقوق وحماية المستضعفين وهو حلف (الفضول) وقد عقدته قريش بعد رجوعها من حرب الفجار فى دار (عبد الله بن جدعان) بمكة ، وتعاقدت فيه أن تحمى الضعفاء والمظلومين حتى يأمن كل إنسان على ماله وعياله وقد رفع هذا الحلف مكانة قريش بين قبائل العرب ، وكان محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وقت حضوره هذا الحلف فى العشرين من عمره ، وقد ترك هذا الحلف العظيم فى نفسه أعمق الآثار لأنه حلف إنسانى يدعو إلى الخير ومكارم الأخلاق ، وقد تحدث صلى الله عليه وسلم عنه بعد البعثة فأثنى عليه وقال " لقد شاهدت مع عمومتى حلفا فى دار عبد الله بن جدعان ما أود لو أن لى به حُمْرَ النَّعَمِ (1) ولو دعيت به فى الإسلام لأجبت " . وقد اشترك محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم فى بناء البيت الحرام وهو فى الخامسة والثلاثين من عمره . وكانت جدرانه قد تصدعت فهدمته قريش لتبنيه من جديد ، فكان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فيمن يحملون الحجارة. ولما أرادوا وضع الحجر الأسود فى موضعه ، اختلف أشرافهم فيمن يضعه ويحوز هذا الشرف العظيم ، وتنافسوا فى ذلك حتى كادت تنشب بينهم نار الحرب ، فقال أبو أمية بن المغيرة المخزومى ، وكان كبيرا فيهم : "يا قوم لا تختلفوا وحكموا بينكم من ترضون بحكمه" فقالوا : نكل الأمر لأول داخل علينا ، فكان هذا الداخل هو محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم فاطمأن الجميع لما يعهدون فيه من الأمانة ورجاحة العقل وصدق الحديث ، وقالوا "هذا الأمين رضيناه حكما بيننا" فلما عرضوا عليه الأمر بسط رداءه ووضع الحجر فيه ثم قال : لتأخذ كل قبيلة بناحية من الثوب ، وأمرهم برفعه حتى انتهى إلى موضعه فأخذه بيده الكريمة ووضعه فيه ، وهكذا انتهت مشكلة كبرى كادت تودى بقريش لولا حكمة محمد بن عبد الله وبعد نظره وسداد رأيه ، وعلى هذا النحو الكريم كانت أحوال محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم قبل البعثة النبوية .
تجارته صلى الله عليه وسلم فى مال السيدة خديجة وزواجه بها رضى الله عنها
كانت السيدة " خديجة بنت خويلد بن أسد بن عبد العزى بن قصى " امرأة حازمة شريفة غنية من أوساط قريش نسبا وأعظمهم شرفا ، وقد أراد الزواج منها كثيرون بعد موت زوجها الثانى فلم تقبل . وقد بلغها عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ما بلغها من صدق حديثه وعظم أمانته وكرم أخلاقه ، فعرضت عليه أن يخرج فى تجارة لها إلى الشام ، وتعطيه أفضل مما تعطى غيره من التجار مع غلام لها يقال له (ميسرة) فقبل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ، وخرج مع غلامها ميسرة حتى نزل الشام وربحت التجارة ربحا عظيما ، وظهرت له بركات قصها ميسرة على سيدته بعد عودتهما ، فأحبت السيدة خديجة محمدا حبا جما وأرسلت إلى عمها (عمرو بن أسد) ليزوجها ، وذهب محمد مع عمومته ، وخطبها من عمها بواسطة عمه أبى طالب وكان فى الخامسة والعشرين من عمره بينما كانت خديجة فى الأربعين.
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Mohamed his kinship
from his father
Muhammad, son of Abdullah, son of Abdul Muttalib, of the tribe of Quraysh, was born in Makkah fifty-three years before the Hijrah. His father died before he was born, and he was protected first by his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, and after his grandfather’s death, by his uncle Abu Talib
from his mother
its mother Amena Bint Whb Bin Abd Mnaf Bin Zahra Bin Clab, and dogs are the fifth grandfather of the messenger ؟ From its father . And the scientists have agreed that Adnan is the twentyth grandfather of the messenger ؟ From the offspring of our master Ismail peace be upon him . And he has been the prophet ؟ From the offspring of nobles parents that gentlemen and leaders and for them a firm place authorized, and a position is between the Arabs a great . And he has bred ؟From a legitimate marriage
THE PROPHET IS BORN
ONE day, while traveling north, one of the Arab tribes from Mecca met a hermit in the desert. Some of the men stopped to speak with him. Hermits were known to be wise and the Arabs often asked their advice
The hermit asked where they had come from. When they replied that they were from Mecca, he told them that Allah would soon send a prophet, who would come from their people. They asked the name of this prophet and the hermit answered that his name would be Muhammad and that he would guide them to a new way of life
Meanwhile in Mecca, Aminah, although saddened by the loss of her husband, felt especially well and strong as she awaited the birth of her baby. During this time she dreamt of many things. On one occasion it was as if a great light were shining out of her, and on another she heard a voice telling her that she would have a boy and that his name would be Muhammad. She never forgot that voice but she told no one about it
On Monday, the twelfth day of Rabi al-Awwal in the Year of the Elephant, Aminah gave birth to a son. Allah sends man many signs when one of His chosen Prophets is born and on that twelfth day of Rabi al-Awwal in the year 570 A.D, many such signs were seen. Some were seen by Jewish scholars who had read in their ************************ures of a coming Prophet. One of these learned men in Yathrib, for instance, saw a brilliant new star he had never seen before as he studied the heavens that night. He called the people around him and, pointing the star out to them, told them a Prophet must have been born
That same night another Jew was passing by the meeting place of the leaders of Quraysh in Mecca. He asked them if a baby boy had just been born and told them that if it were true, this would be the Prophet of the Arab nation
Aminah sent news of the birth to her father-in-law, 'Abd al-Muttalib, who was sitting near the Ka'bah at the time. He was very happy and began at once to think of a name for the boy. An ordinary name would not do. Six days came and went and still he had not decided. But on the seventh day, as he lay asleep near the Ka’bah, 'Abd al-Muttalib dreamt that he should give the baby the unusual name of Muhammad, just as Aminah herself had dreamt. And the child was called Muhammad (pbuh), which means 'the Praised One'
When 'Abd al-Muttalib told the leaders of Quraysh what he had named his grandson, many of them asked, 'Why did you not choose the sort of name that is used by our people?' At once he replied, 'I want him to be praised by Allah in the heavens and praised by men on earth.'
A TIME WITH HALIMAH
LIKE many other women in Mecca, Aminah decided to send her son away from the city for his early years to the desert where it was more healthy. Women from the desert used to come to Mecca to collect the new babies and they would then keep them until they developed into strong children, for which they were well paid by the parents
Among the women who traveled to Mecca to fetch a new baby at the time Aminah's son was born, was a Bedouin woman called Halimah. With her was her husband and baby son. They had always been very poor but this year things were harder than ever because there had been famine. The donkey that earned Halimah on the journey was so weak from hunger that he often stumbled. Halimah's own baby son cried all the time because his mother could not feed him properly. Even their she-camel did not give them one drop of milk. Halimah did not know what to do. She thought to herself, 'How can I possibly feed another baby when I haven't got enough milk even for my own son?' At last they reached Mecca. All the other women of the tribe to which Halimah belonged, the Bani Sa'd, found a child to take back with them, but not Halimah. The only baby left was Muhammad (pbuh). Usually the father paid the wet-nurse but Muhammad's father was dead. So no one wanted to take him, even though he was from one of the noblest families of Quraysh
Halimah did not want to take him either, but she did not want to be the only woman to go back to her tribe without a baby to bring up. She asked her husband whether she should take Muhammad (pbuh) or not. He advised her to do so, adding, 'Perhaps Allah will bless us because of him.' They started on the return journey and as soon as Halimah began to feed Muhammad (pbuh) her milk suddenly increased and she had enough for him as well as her baby son. When they were back home, everything began to change. The land became green, and the date trees, one of their main sources of food, gave lots of fruit. Even the sheep and their old she-camel began to give plenty of milk. Halimah and her husband knew that this good fortune had come because they had the new baby, Muhammad (pbuh), whom they had come to love as if he were their own son
When Muhammad (pbuh) was two years old, Halimah took him back to his mother. She pleaded with Aminah, however, to let her keep him for a little longer, and to her great joy the mother agreed. During his time with Halimah's family in the desert, Muhammad (pbuh) played with her children and together they would take the sheep out to graze. At other times, however, Halimah would often find him sitting alone
It is said that on one occasion, two angels came to Muhammad (pbuh) and washed his heart with snow. In this way Allah made his heart pure for He intended Muhammad (pbuh) to be greater than any man ever born and to become the Seal of the Prophets
In the Name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful
Did We not expand thy breast for thee.
And eased thee of thy burden.
Which weighed down thy back;
And exalted thy fame?
So truly with hardship comes ease,
Truly with hardship comes ease.
So when thou art relieved, still toil
And strive to please thy Lord.
(Koran xciv.1-8)
When Halimah finally took Muhammad (pbuh) back to Aminah, he was a healthy, strong boy. Later he would look back with joy on the time he had spent with Halimah, and he always thought of himself as one of the Bani Sa'd
THE ORPHAN'S CHILDHOOD
MUHAMMAD (pbuh) returned to live with his mother in Mecca when he was about three years old. Three years later Aminah decided to take her son to visit his uncles in Yathrib. She told her maid, Barakah, to prepare everything they would need for the long journey, and then they joined one of the caravans going there
They stayed in Yathrib a month and Muhammad (pbuh) enjoyed the visit with his cousins. The climate there was very pleasant and he learned to swim and to fly a kite. On their way back to Mecca, however, Aminah became ill and died. She was buried in the village at al-Abwa not far from Yathrib. Muhammad (pbuh) returned sadly to Mecca with his mother's maid He was now six years old and had lost both his father and mother. He was then adopted by his grandfather, ‘Abd al-Muttalib, who loved him dearly and kept him by his side at all times
It was the custom of 'Abd al-Muttalib to sit on a blanket near the Ka’bah. There he was always surrounded by people who had come to speak to him. No one was allowed to sit on the blanket with him, however, except his grandson Muhammad (pbuh), which shows how close they were to each other. Many times 'Abd al-Muttalib was heard to say: 'This boy will be very important one day.'
Two years later 'Abd al-Muttalib became ill and Muhammad (pbuh) stayed by him constantly. 'Abd al-Muttalib told his son, Abu Talib, to adopt Muhammad (pbuh) after his death, which he did. Abu Talib had many children of his own, but Muhammad (pbuh) immediately became part of his family and the favorite child
The time came for Quraysh to prepare a caravan to go to Syria. Abu Talib was going with them and he took Muhammad (pbuh) along. It was Muhammad's first journey to the north. After days of travel, the caravan arrived at a place near Syria where the Romans used to come to trade with the Arabs. Near this marketplace lived a monk called Bahira’. His cell had been used by generations of monks before him and contained ancient manu************************s
Bahira' saw the caravan in the distance and was amazed to see that over it was a large white cloud. It was the only cloud in a clear blue sky and it appeared to be shading one of the travelers. The monk was even more surprised to see that the cloud seemed to follow the caravan but disappeared when the person it was shading sat down under a tree. Bahira’ knew from the ************************ures that a prophet was expected to come after Jesus and it had been his wish to see this prophet before he died. Realizing that what he had just seen was a miracle, he began to think that his wish might, after all, come true
The monk sent an invitation to the Meccans to come and eat with him. The Arabs were surprised because they often passed by and Bahira’ had never invited them before. When the group was all together for the meal, the monk said, 'Is this everyone?’ 'No', someone said, 'a boy was left watching the camels.'
Bahira’ insisted that the boy should join them. The boy was Muhammad (pbuh). When he arrived Bahira’ said nothing, but watched him all through the meal. He noticed many things about his appearance which fitted the de************************ion in the old manu************************s. Later on he took him aside and asked Muhammad (pbuh) many questions. He soon found out how he felt about the idols in the Ka'bah. When Bahira tried to make him swear by them, as the Arabs used to do, Muhammad (pbuh) said, 'There is nothing in this world that I hate more'. They talked together about Allah, and about Muhammad's life and family. What was said made Bahira certain that this was indeed the Prophet who would follow Jesus
Then the monk went to Abu Talib and asked him how he was related to Muhammad (pbuh). Abu Talib told him that Muhammad (pbuh) was his son. Bahira replied that this could not be so because the boy was destined to grow up an orphan, and he ordered Abu Talib to watch over Muhammad (pbuh) with great care. There are many stories told about Muhammad's youth. Some tell of how he used to take the family's sheep to graze and was always kind to them. While they grazed he would sit thinking about the mysteries of nature. Unlike those around him, he never worshipped the idols and never swore by them. He also wondered why people were always struggling for power and money, and this saddened him and made him feel lonely, but he kept his feelings to himself. He was a quiet, thoughtful boy, and rarely played with other boys of his age
On one occasion, however, Muhammad (pbuh) went with some of the boys to a wedding in Mecca. When he reached the house he heard the sounds of music and dancing but just as he was about to enter he suddenly felt tired and, sitting down, fell asleep. He didn't wake up until late the next morning and thus missed the celebrations. In this way Allah prevented him from doing anything foolish for He was keeping Muhammad (pbuh) for something much more important
THE PROPHET'S MARRIAGE
By the time Muhammad (pbuh) was twenty-five he was famous for his honesty. He was respected by everyone, even the elders of Mecca. The purity of his nature increased with the years. It seemed he had an inner knowledge that other people did not have. He believed in one God-Creator of the world-and he worshipped Him with all his heart and with all his soul. Muhammad (pbuh) was the finest of his people, the most kind, truthful and reliable person in Mecca. He was known among Quraysh as 'the trustworthy' (al-Amin) because of the good qualities Allah had given him. He spent many quiet hours in a cave in Mount Hira', not far from Mecca, thinking about Allah
Among Quraysh was a respected and wealthy woman named Khadijah. She was involved in trade and on hearing of Muhammad's reputation, sent for him and asked him to take her goods and trade with them in Syria. Muhammad (pbuh) agreed and left for Syria with one of Khadijah's caravans. With him went her slave, Maysarah, and they spent a great deal of time talking together. Maysarah soon came to admire Muhammad (pbuh). He thought he was quite different from all the other men of Quraysh
Two unusual events took place during this journey which puzzled Maysarah very much. The first happened when they stopped to rest near the lonely home of a monk. Muhammad (pbuh) sat under a tree while Maysarah was busy with some work. The monk came up to Maysarah and asked, 'Who is the man resting under the tree?'
'One of Quraysh, the people who guard the Ka’bah', said Maysarah. 'No one but a Prophet is sitting beneath this tree', replied the monk. The second event occurred on the journey back to Mecca. It happened at noon, when the sun is at its hottest. Maysarah was riding behind Muhammad (pbuh) and as the sun grew hotter he saw two angels appear above Muhammad (pbuh) and shield him from the sun's harmful rays. The trading was very successful and Muhammad (pbuh) made more profit for Khadijah than she had ever received before. When they arrived back in Mecca Maysarah told Khadijah everything about the trip and what he had noticed about Muhammad's character and behavior
Khadijah was a widow in her forties and as well as being rich and Highly respected she was also very beautiful. Many men wanted to marry her but none of them suited her. When she met Muhammad (pbuh), however, she thought he was very special. She sent a friend to ask Muhammad (pbuh)why he was not married. Muhammad (pbuh) said that it was because he had no money, to which the friend replied: 'Supposing a rich, beautiful and noble lady agreed to marry you?' Muhammad (pbuh) wanted to know who that could be. The friend told him it was Khadijah. Muhammad (pbuh) was very happy, because he greatly respected Khadijah. He went with his uncles, Abu Talib and Hamzah, to Khadijah's uncle, and asked his permission to marry her. The uncle gave his permission and soon after, Muhammad (pbuh) and Khadijah were married
Their marriage was a joyful one and Muhammad (pbuh) and Khadijah were well suited. Their life together, however, was not without some sadness. They were blessed with six children, two sons and four daughters. Sadly their first born, a son called Qasim, died shortly before his second birthday, and their last child, also a son, only lived for a short time. Happily, their four daughters-Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatimah-all survived
For a few years Muhammad (pbuh) lived a calm and quiet life as a merchant in Mecca. His wisdom benefited many people. One such time was when Quraysh decided to rebuild the Ka’bah. It was a difficult decision for them because they had to knock it down before rebuilding it and the people were afraid that Allah might be angry with them for knocking down His sanctuary. At last one of the wise old men of Quraysh decided to begin, then everybody followed him
They worked until they reached down to the first foundation that Abraham had built. As soon as they began to remove the stones of this foundation, however, the whole of Mecca began to shake. They were so afraid that they decided to leave these stones where they were and build on top of them
Each tribe brought stones and they built the Ka'bah up until they reached the place where the black stone was to be set. They then began to argue about who should have the honor of carrying the black stone and lifting it to its place in one of the corners of the Ka'bah. They almost came to blows but fortunately one of the men offered a solution. He suggested that they should be guided by the first person to enter the place of worship. They all agreed and as Muhammad (pbuh) was the first to enter everyone was pleased, because they all trusted him. They told him the cause of the argument and he asked them to bring a large cloak. They did as he asked, and after spreading the cloak on the ground he placed the black stone in the center of it. Then he asked a man from each tribe to hold one edge of the cloak and together to raise it to the height where the stone should be see. When this was done, he took the stone off the cloak and put it into place himself
This story shows how all Quraysh respected and trusted Muhammad (pbuh) and how, by his wisdom and good sense, he was able to keep the peace.