THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 005 The Birth of Prophet Muhammad Praise and peace be upon him and His Childhood in the Desert by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem The Birth of Prophet Muhammad and His Childhood in the Desert The Marriage of Abdullah to Aminah, Parents of Prophet Muhammad There was great happiness amongst Abd Al Muttalib's family, not to mention his tribe, and day-to-day life resumed once more after the acceptance of Abdullah’s ransom. Shortly after this significant event, Abd Al Muttalib started to make plans for Abdullah's future. Abdullah was now eighteen years of age, and his father thought it was time for him to marry, so he started to search for a suitable match. After much consideration he came to the conclusion that Aminah, the daughter of Wahb, son of Abdu Manaf, son of Zuhra, chieftain of the tribe of Zuhra, a branch of the Koraysh, would be the most compatible bride for his son and so he went to visit Wahb to make the proposal. Wahb was delighted and thought it would be an excellent match and so the proposal was accepted. Aminah was of noble birth and lineage and had many fine qualities. She was known for her upright, endearing character and to compliment these characteristics she was very intelligent. Years later, Prophet Muhammad, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) confirmed her status when he told his Companions, "I have been chosen from the most choice." Upon his return, Abd Al Muttalib told Abdullah that he had found the perfect match for him. Abdullah was overjoyed when he heard all the wonderful things his father had to say about Aminah and so in the days to come Abdullah and Aminah were married. Aminah conceived shortly after their marriage and at the moment of conception she saw a light emitting from her that lit the palaces of Syria. The young couple were very happy together. Everything his father had told him proved to be true and Abdullah was as delighted with Aminah as she was with him. Two months after their marriage Abdullah joined a trading caravan destined for Al Shams. Today, Al Shams is a conglomerate of several countries known to us as Syria, Jordan and Palestine. On the return journey, Abdullah was taken seriously ill in Yathrib. Abdullah had many relatives in Yathrib and so the caravan left him in their care and continued on to Mecca without him. The Death of Abdullah A messenger bearing news of Abdullah's illness was sent on in advance of the caravan and as soon as Abd Al Muttalib heard the disturbing news he sent his eldest son, Harith to Yathrib to bring Abdullah home. Harith was not destined to see his brother again as Abdullah died before he reached Yathrib and was buried near his cousins, the children of Adiyy, the son of Najjar in Yathrib in the house belonging to An-Nabigha Al-Ju'di. Harith returned to Mecca and conveyed the saddening news to his father and Aminah whereupon great sorrow fell upon the entire family. The Memorable Year of the Elephant Fifty days before Muhammad was born, an event occurred which the people of Mecca would remember for the rest of their lives. It was an attempt by Abraha As-Sabah Al Habashi, the Abyssinian, who was the governor of Yemen, to destroy the Sacred Ka’bah with an elephant's might. Before that time, the Arabs paid little attention to the passage of years, although each month was recognized by the new moon. From that year, onwards the Arabs would refer to events as being either before the year of the elephant or after it. At that time, Yemen was under the rule of Abyssinia. As-hamah son of Al-Abjar, the Negus (king) of Abyssinia had appointed a governor named Abraha to govern Yemen in his absence. The Negus was a Nazarene who followed the true teachings of Prophet Jesus and not the Trinitarian teachings of Paul, and Abraha, anxious to promote himself still further in the eyes of his king, decided he would build a magnificent church with the intent of luring pilgrims from Ka’bah to it. The church was built in Sanna with marble pillaged from the ruined palaces of Sheba, while its interior was embellished with gold and silver and its pulpit carved from ivory and ebony. Upon completion, Abraha sent word to the Negus that he had built a magnificent church in his honor and mentioned his underlying intention. Abraha bragged so much of his intention to lure pilgrims away from the Ka’bah that word spread like the fury of a violent sandstorm throughout Arabia. As could be expected, the Arabs were enraged by the whole affair to the extent that a man from the tribe of Kinanah, a branch of the Koraysh, became so incensed by the audacity of Abraha that he set out for Sanna determined to defile the church. When he reached Sanna night had fallen, so he crept unseen into the church and defiled it with trash and filth. Having accomplished his mission he left undetected. When news of the defilement reached Abraha his anger was so great that he swore to take revenge and to lead an army that would destroy Ka’bah once and for all. Immediately, orders were issued to his army and they prepared themselves for the long march across the hot and inhospitable desert to Mecca. He also gave orders that an elephant should lead them as a sign of his might. As soon as the preparations were complete, Abraha gave the order for his army of six thousand to march with the canopied elephant leading the way. Not far out of Sanna the army encountered resistance from a small band of Arabs, but they were greatly out numbered and fled. Their leader, Nufayl from the tribe of Khathan, was captured and in fear for his life offered to guide Abraha and his soldiers on to Ka'bah. It was January in the year 571CE and the news of Abraha's march to destroy Ka’bah reached Ta'if ahead of their arrival, so a delegation from the Thakif, fearing Abraha might mistake their temple of Al Lat for Ka'bah, rode out to meet him and offered to be Nufayl's co-guides, which Abraha accepted. At a place called Al Magmas, a few miles outside Mecca, Abraha decided to strike camp and it was there that Nufayl died. Meanwhile, Abraha sent his spies on in advance to the outskirts of Mecca. On their way they came across a herd of camels belonging to Abd Al Muttalib together with some other animals, so they seized them together with anything else they could lay their hands on and sent their plunder back to Abraha. In the meantime, Abd Al Muttalib together with other Korayshi chieftains and chiefs from neighboring tribes met together to discuss how they might best defend their beloved Ka’bah. After much deliberation, all concluded that Abraha's army was so great in number that they did not stand a chance against him, so Abd Al Muttalib decided it was best for the people of Mecca to seek refuge on the slopes of Mount Thabir so he told them, "O people of Koraysh, you will be protected." Then he assured them that Ka’bah would be unharmed saying, "Abraha and his army will not reach the Holy Ka’bah because it has a Protecting Lord." As the people of Mecca made their way to the mountain, Abd Al Muttalib supplicated saying, "O Allah, it is customary for one to protect his possessions, so please, protect Yours." Abraha had now camped in the valley of Muhassar not far from Mina. Soon after, Abraha sent his envoy into Mecca inviting their leader to visit him in his camp and so Abd Al Muttalib, together with one of his sons accompanied Abraha's envoy back to the camp. As Abd Al Muttalib approached, Abraha was greatly impressed by his noble composure and rose to greet him. Abraha then told Abd Al Muttalib of his intent to destroy the Ka’bah and asked him if there was any favor he might grant him. Abraha was extremely surprised by Abd Al Muttalib's reply, he expected him to plead with him to spare Ka’bah but instead Abd Al Muttalib asked for the return of his herd of camels. Abraha scoffed at his request but the wise, trusting Abd Al Muttalib replied, "I am the lord of my herd of camels, so I must protect them. The Lord of Ka’bah will protect His House." After this totally unexpected reply, Abd Al Muttalib and his son returned to Mecca. Soon after this Abraha gave the order to advance on Ka’bah and the soldiers took their marching positions behind the elephant. Now that all was ready, the elephant was given the command to rise and march, but it refused and sat still. Its handlers tried to tempt it but when that failed they beat it, driving iron hooks deep into its flesh but still the elephant refused to march on Ka'bah. Then, one of its handlers had an idea to trick the poor elephant by turning it around to face the direction of Yemen, then as soon as it started to walk, to turn it around to march on Ka’bah. This deception worked for a while and they succeeded to get the elephant to stand and even take a few steps in the direction of Yemen, but when he tried to turn it around to march on Ka’bah the elephant, with all its might, refused and sat down despite the renewed extreme cruelty it endured. Suddenly, the sky became blackened with flocks of birds called "Ababil". Each bird carried three stones, one in each claw and another in its beak. When the birds reached Abraha's army they pelted the soldiers with them. As soon as a soldier was struck by a stone he died and not one single stone missed its mark. As for Abraha, he did not die instantly -- the stones that hit him brought about a painfully slow death that caused his bones to crumble thereby bringing about the agonizing collapse of his ribs. These miraculous affairs were witnessed by all the citizens present in Mecca and as a result the year became known as the "Year of the Elephant" and it was also in that same year that our beloved Prophet, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), was born. Abu Kuhafah, the father of Abu Bakr as well as many of the fathers of the Prophet’s Companions witnessed this miraculous event and the story was passed on to their children. The news of this miracle spread far and wide and it is not surprising that Heraclius, who in later years was to become the Emperor of Rome, heard the story as he was growing up as Abraha was from Yemen, and Yemen was at that time under the protectorate of the Rome Empire. The veracity of this miracle is indisputable. Even the unbelievers who never ceased to seize upon anything they thought might discredit the Prophet, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), or the Revelation never raised any objection to the verses that refer to the actual pelting of Abraha’s army with the stones carried by the birds. However, there are unfortunately, some misguided people who promote the theory that the stones carried by the birds were not in fact stones but rather microbes or germs. Their knowledge of the Words of Allah is indeed pitiful, because their theory is in direct contradiction to the unchangeable word Allah Himself uses in the Koran to describe the event. The word Allah uses is "Hijaratin" which means "stones" -- and the knowledge of Allah is the truth. As for the grave of Nufayl, the guide who had led Abraha to Ka'bah, the Koraysh took to stoning it. Allah sent down the following chapter confirming the event: In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Most Merciful. Have you not seen how Allah dealt with the companions of the Elephant? Did He not cause their schemes to go astray? And He sent against them flights of birds pelting them with stones of baked clay, so that He made them like straw eaten (by cattle). Chapter 105, The Elephant The Pregnancy of Lady Aminah Allah, the Most High, made Lady Aminah's pregnancy easy for her in fact she commented that she didn't feel any different from her usual self. However, as her pregnancy progressed, Lady Aminah had many visions concerning her unborn baby. The Prophecy is Fulfilled On Monday, 12th of Rabi-al-Awwal (21st April) -- 571 years after Jesus ascended into heaven to await his return before the end of the world and a few months after the death of his father Abdullah – Lady Aminah gave birth to her blessed son in the house of Abu Talib and As-Shaffa, mother of Abd Al Rahman attended his birth. As Lady Aminah gave birth, a blessed light came from her that enabled her to miraculously see the far distant palaces of Syria. The beautiful baby was born without a trace of dirt upon him, and a sweet aroma caressed his perfect little body. Lady Aminah remembered the instruction she had been given in one of her visions and supplicated to Allah with it for her little son, then gave him to Ash-Shaffa, the mother of Abd Al Rahman to hold. News that Lady Aminah had given birth to a son was sent straight away to Abd Al Muttalib. As soon as he heard the good news he rushed to see his new grandson. When he reached the house his heart was filled with joy and tender, loving care. He cradled the sweet baby wrapped in a white cloth in his arms and then took him to the Ka’bah where he offered a prayer of thanksgiving to Allah for the safe delivery of his grandson. Before returning his new grandson to Lady Aminah he went home to show him to his own family. Standing at the door waiting for his father's return was his three-year-old son Al-Abbas. Lovingly, Abd Al Muttalib told his son, "Al-Abbas, this is your brother, give him a kiss," so Al-Abbas, who was in reality his uncle, bent over and kissed his new baby brother. After everyone had admired the baby, Abd Al Muttalib returned to Lady Aminah and in accordance with her vision and a vision Abd Al Muttalib had seen, the sweet baby was named Muhammad. When people asked why they had named him Muhammad they replied, "To be praised in the heavens and earth". Seven days after his birth he was circumcised and as was the custom, his parents and relatives gathered together to mark the occasion. Lady Aminah suckled her blessed son for a week and thereafter Thuyebah, the servant of Abu Lahab assisted in his suckling. Abu Talib's house, the house in which the Holy Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), was born, exists today not far from the hill of Marwa and is used to house an Islamic library. It is hoped it will not be demolished in the same way that other blessed Islamic places have fallen victim to New York style modernization. However, there is hope that it will be restored and preserved as the current King Abdullah has already taken steps to restore the tomb of Lady Aminah that was desecrated by some followers of Muhammad ibn Abd Al-Wahab and Ibn Taymia. It is a great shame that women are prevented from entering this blessed birthplace! The Rank of Lady Aminah, Mother of the Prophet When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) was called to the prophethood he told his Companions, "Indeed, I am the worshipper of Allah, and the Seal of the prophets since Adam was set in clay. I will inform you about this. I am the supplication of my father Abraham, the glad tidings of Jesus, and the vision of my mother and as such, the mothers of the prophets see – and know that the mother of the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saw as she gave birth to me, a light emitting from her that lit the palaces of Syria, till she saw them." It is also reported in Hafiz ibn Kathir's reference of authentic prophetic sayings that when Lady Aminah conceived the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), she saw a light in the same way as when she gave birth to him. (Muhaddith Al Bani adhered to this and reprinted ibn Kathir's book). This is a very important hadith as it draws our attention to the overlooked, very high rank of Lady Aminah, may Allah be pleased with her, by placing her in the extra special company of Prophets Abraham and Jesus thereby negating the opinion of those who consider her to be just among the people of an upright nature before Islam. This prophetic quotation is proof that she is the first among the close friends of Allah (awlia) in Islam, and that she is the honorable mother of the family of the Prophet's house, since she saw with the eye of the close friends of Allah (awlia). This degree of ranking is referenced to in the Divine hadith, where Allah says, "I will be his sight with which he sees". This means that she saw the palaces not with her regular eyesight, which would be impossible, but with her son's light. Therefore, she endowed him with her best honor and milk, and he lit her before lighting the world. In the hadith of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) he referred to himself as the second person with his mother and bore witness that she saw the whole light, whereas others only heard about it but did not see. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) honored her and called her "Mother of the Messenger of Allah". Not only Lady Aminah's light, honor but her happiness and blessing were inherited by Lady Khadijah then her daughter Lady Fatima, may Allah be pleased with them. This is, in brief, the blessing of Allah to us of the understanding of this hadith. It is the undisputable authentic reference to the light of the Prophethood and no one should consider the false hadith that says, "O Jabir, the first creation by Allah is the light of your Prophet" which its fabricator claimed to be reported in the Musannaf of Abdul Razzaq, and is not. The Purity of his Lineage In the years to come, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) spoke of his lineage saying, "Allah brought me down to earth in the loins of Adam, and then He placed me in the loins of Noah and thereafter cast me into the loins of Abraham. Allah proceeded to move me from one noble loin and pure womb to another until He brought me out of my parents. None of them were ever joined together in fornication." The Decision of Lady Aminah and Abd Al Muttalib Abdullah was a young man when he died and therefore had very little to leave his wife and unborn baby. All he was able to leave them was an Abyssinian maid named Barakah, which means 'blessing', a few camels, and some goats. Barakah was also known by the name Umm Ayman. In those days it was the practice of noble and well-to-do families to entrust their newly born infants to the care of good families living far from Mecca where the infant would be less likely to contract the many diseases that all too often accompanied the pilgrims. Among the many advantages of sending a newly born to be raised in the desert was that it was there that Arabic in its purest form was spoken, and the accomplishment of speaking pure Arabic was a most sought after quality. Youngsters also learned the essential art of survival through the mutual love and care for one another that in turn lead to excellent manners and a chivalrous nature. With this in mind Lady Aminah and Abd Al Muttalib decided to send Muhammad to be raised in the desert. Halima, daughter of Abi Dhuaib Soon after the Prophet’s birth, several Bedouin families made their twice-yearly journey to Mecca in search of a child to foster. No fee was requested by the foster parents as one might suppose, rather the intent was to strengthen ties between noble, well-to-do families and perhaps receive a favor from its parents or relatives. Amongst the prospective foster mothers was a lady called Halima, the daughter of Abi Dhuaib from the tribe of Bani Sa'ad and her husband Al-Harith, son of Abdul Uzza - better known as Abi Kabshah. Halima's family had always been poor and that year in particular had been harsh for them on account of the drought that had devastated the area. Halima had a young baby of her own, so together with her husband, Abi Kabshah and baby they traveled in the company of other families from their tribe to Mecca. Halima carried her son as she rode upon their donkey whilst her husband walked by her side and their sheep ran along beside them. When they set out, the sheep's milk had been a constant source of nourishment for them, but the strain of the journey took its toll and its milk dried up. Halima's own milk was insufficient to satisfy her baby, and many a time her baby cried itself to sleep out of hunger. Before reaching Mecca there was another setback as Halima's donkey started to show signs of lameness. So they proceeded slowly at their own pace whilst the others went on ahead. Because of the delay, Halima and her family were the last of the prospective foster parents to reach Mecca. By the time Halima arrived each of the other prospective foster mothers had visited the homes of parents wishing to send their newly born to the safety of the desert, and chosen a baby. The only baby that remained was the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, and that was because Allah had chosen Halima to be his suckling mother. As Halima entered Lady Aminah's house she found the lovely little baby sleeping upon his back wrapped in a white woolen shawl under which a green piece of silk had been placed. Instantaneously, with just one glance, in the same way that the wife of Pharaoh’s heart had been filled with love for the baby Moses, Allah filled Halima’s heart with overflowing love for the baby Muhammad. Allah had chosen Halima to be his suckling mother. Halima was overcome by his beauty and as she bent down to pick him up she smelt the delicate fragrance of musk. Fearing she might disturb him, she placed her hand over his chest and as she did, he smiled then opened his eyes and from his eyes beamed a radiant light. Gently and lovingly, she kissed him between his eyes and offered him her right breast and immediately felt a surge of milk, he accepted her breast and suckled away contentedly. After a little while she offered him her left breast, but even at this very tender age fairness was inherent in his nature and he declined, leaving it for his new suckling brother. Later on that day, Halima returned to her husband and told him that there was no doubt in her mind she wanted to foster Lady Aminah's baby -- it was of no consequence to her that the baby was an orphan or that future favors may not be possible -- the baby had completely captivated her heart. The Peaceful Night Whilst Halima was nursing Lady Aminah's baby, her husband, Abi Kabshah went to tend his sheep and was very surprised to find its udder full of milk. When he milked it there was so much milk that there was more than enough to satisfy the entire family, that night they drank their fill and slept peacefully. When they awoke, Abi Kabshah exclaimed, "Halima, by Allah, I see you have chosen a blessed spirit, did you notice how we spent such a blessed night and are enjoying its benefits?" The Bonding It is through the nourishing milk a foster mother gives to her charge that a baby gains an extended family into which marriage to its siblings is not permitted. And so it was that Halima's foster child would refer to her in later years as his mother and to her children as his brothers and sisters. Right from the very beginning, the bonding between Halima and her foster child proved to be a very great blessing, for not only her family but the entire tribe. And it was because of this very close relationship that her people were, in the years that followed, protected and led to Paradise. Life in the Desert The time soon came for the foster parents to set off for their desert home with their charges, so Halima made her farewells to Lady Aminah who handed her beloved son up to her as she sat upon her donkey. Halima and her husband were quick to notice the multiple blessings that constantly came their way. Their donkey had always been the slowest ride because it was frail, and more recently showed signs of progressive lameness, but now it out-ran the others whilst the rest of the party looked on in amazement asking Halima if the donkey was the same one she came with. The Land of Bani Sa’ad Before they reached the land of Bani Sa’ad, the vegetation had already become scant and upon reaching it there was no vegetation in sight, the land was barren, the signs of drought were everywhere. However, Halima's sheep would wander off yet always return full. It was so noticeable that the others in her party told their shepherds to take their sheep and follow Halima's, however hers always returned full and continued to yield abundant milk, whereas theirs did not. The blessings never ceased to escape the attention of Halima's family and when they reached home their land became replenished once more and the palm trees bore an abundance of dates. Al Shayma Halima had an older daughter named Hudhafa, also known as Al Shayma. Al Shayma loved her new brother dearly and never had to wait to be asked to look after him. It was a very happy time for the entire family and Halima's foster child grew rapidly in strength and outgrew other children of similar age. Halima's tribe in particular was famous for speaking pure Arabic and many of its tribesmen had become famous on account of their eloquent speech and poetry; it was in such an environment that the young Muhammad learned the art of the precise diction of pure Arabic; however he did not learn how to read or write. The Return to Mecca Halima never ceased to wonder at the growth and strength of her foster son and as he was now two years old and had completed his weaning she thought it was time for him to visit his mother in Mecca, so preparations were made for the journey. When they reached Mecca Lady Aminah was delighted to see and hold her son once more, but an epidemic had broken out and she feared for his safety so it was agreed that Halima should take him back with her to their desert home. The First Opening of the Yong Muhammad’s Chest Little Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), loved to play with his brothers but also enjoyed sitting alone by himself. Several months had passed since his return from Mecca when one day as his brothers were playing not far away among the sheep and he sat alone Gabriel came to him and took him then laid him down on the ground and proceeded to open his chest and remove his heart. From his heart he removed a black particle and said, 'This is the portion of satan in you.' Then from a golden vessel he washed his heart with the water of Zamzam, restored it to its place and resealed his chest. The children ran to his suckling mother saying, 'Muhammad has been killed!' Shortly afterwards Muhammad returned to them looking somewhat pale and Halima held him gently in her arms and asked what had happened. He told her that his chest had been opened. The only difference she could notice was that he appeared a little paler than usual. Anas said, "I would see the marks of the stitching on his chest." The Second Opening of the Young Muhammad’s Chest The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) tells us of the time when he was herding some animals, he said, "I was herding some animals with my foster-brothers behind our tents when two men wearing white robes came to me. They held me tightly and split open my chest, from my throat down to my belly. Then they removed my heart and split it open. Then they washed my heart and chest with snow until they had cleansed it." One of them said to the other, "Weigh him with ten people of his nation," but I outweighed them. So he said, "Weigh him with one hundred of his nation," but I still outweighed them. Then he said, "Weigh him with one thousand of his nation," but once again I outweighed them. Whereupon the angel said, "If you were to weigh him with his entire nation he would still outweigh them all!" The Prophet, (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), told his Companions that the two men were angels and that each son of Adam, except Mary and her son is touched by satan at birth. Fearing for his safety, Halima and her husband decided to return the young Muhammad to Lady Aminah, so once again they set off with Muhammad to Mecca. Halima’s Decision Halima decided not to tell Lady Aminah the real reason for his early return but Lady Aminah was quick to realize she was concealing something. At last Lady Aminah persuaded Halima to tell her the real reason for her son's return. Lady Aminah listened intently to the account of the opening of his chest and of Halima's fear that some bad jinn may be trying to harm him. Lady Aminah comforted her and told her that no harm would come to him because she had been told that he was destined for an important role. She also told Halima about her blessed pregnancy and of the light that had shone from her womb. After hearing this, Halima's heart was at peace once more and greatly relieved to know her fears for her beloved foster child were unfounded. Lady Aminah thanked Halima for the loving care she gave her son and so it was at the age of six he returned to live with his mother in Mecca. The Birth of Prophet Muhammad Praise and peace be upon him and His Childhood in the Desert 005 Back Cover Subtitles The Marriage of Abdullah to Aminah, Parents of Prophet Muhammad The Death of Abdullah The Memorable Year of the Elephant The Birth of the Last Prophet of Allah; the Sealing of the Prophethood The Pregnancy of Lady Aminah The Prophecy is Fulfilled The Rank of Lady Aminah, Mother of the Prophet The Purity of his Lineage The Decision of Lady Aminah and Abd Al Muttalib Halima, daughter of Abi Dhuaib The Bonding The Peaceful Night Life in the Desert The Land of Bani Sa’ad Al Shayma The Return to Mecca The First Opening of the Yong Muhammad’s Chest The Second Opening of the Young Muhammad’s Chest Halima’s Decision