بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم
الحمد لله رب العالمين الذي منّ علی المؤمنين اذ بعث فيهم رسولا من انفسهم يتلوا عليهم ايته و يزكيهم و يعلمهم الكتاب و الحكمة و ان كانوا من قبلُ لفي ضلال مّبين

As the years passed, the Prophet ﷺ continued to live in the care of his dear uncle; Abu Taalib, and their bond continued to develop as time went on. He ﷺ had now grown up from his initial year of childhood and had entered into adolescence, almost approaching his teenage years.  During this time – when the Prophet ﷺ was approximately twelve years old – Abu Taalib had planned to travel outside of Makkah to the distant lands of Shaam on a trade-journey. Due to the dangerous and harsh nature of desert-bound travel, children would not accompany such journeys for their own protection and comfort. Thus, the Prophet ﷺ was to remain in Makkah whilst Abu Taalib went on this business trip.

This would be the first time Our Prophet ﷺ would part from his beloved uncle since the death of his ﷺ grandfather almost four years ago. When the day of departure came, Abu Taalib and his fellow tradesmen began loading their conveyances and bidding farewell to their families. As Abu Taalib mounted upon his conveyance to set-off, he saw Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ, standing amidst the crowd. Our Prophet ﷺ lost his father amidst a trade journey, and witnessed his mother leave this world during a journey. Seeing Abu Taalib departing like this was extremely difficult. His beautifully large, innocent eyes flowed with tears as he gazed upon the closest thing he had to a father departing Makkah.   

As soon as Abu Taalib caught sight of his beloved nephew’s tears, his heart was inflamed by the immense love he possessed for him. He instantly decided that he could not bear to depart Makkah without his dear nephew, and ensured that he ﷺ would accompany him throughout this journey. Thus, the Prophet ﷺ departed from Makkah with Abu Taalib as they journeyed to the lands of Shaam.

Bahira: The Monk and the Monastery

Between Makkah and the distant lands of Shaam, there was a monastery in the vicinity of Howran, Busra, an Arab region which was under Roman domain at the time. This monastery was home to a Christian monk known as “Bahira”. He had dedicated his life to worship, meditation and the study of ancient, sacred scriptures, the rarest of which were housed in his monastery. He lived an ascetic lifestyle, abstaining from worldly pleasures of all kinds and surviving on the bare essentials. Through his extensive study, he had become well-versed in the signs and prophecies foretold in regards to the emergence of the Final Prophet.

Owing to the location of his quarters, the scene that canvased his windows was inclusive of many trade caravans passing by. However, today was different, for Bahira’s eyes suddenly caught sight of a trade caravan approaching in the distance, that completely captivated him. He rushed – amazed and bewildered – to ensure the caravan was sought and a meal was prepared for them in his monastery. As the caravan approached towards his monastery and parked their conveyances, his excitement grew and he could not wait to meet them.

The inhabitants of the caravan flowed into his home, welcomed by his hospitality as he seated them upon a table-spread of food. As the last person was seated and the door was closed, Bahira began scanning through each individual, closely analysing them whilst he enquired as to who they were and what tribe they belong to. They replied by informing him that they were from the land of Makkah, and belonged to the faction of Quraysh. This was none other… than the group of Abu Taalib and the Prophet ﷺ.

Bahira continued analysing each individual as though he was distinctly searching for something, or for someone. Abu Taalib and his fellow tradesmen – now sat upon the table-spread and awaiting to initiate the meal – watched Bahira in confusion and intrigue. Bahira concluded his search in an unsettled state, as though he failed to find what he was looking for. He quickly rushed to enquire if every member of their group was present, or was someone still absent? They responded by informing Bahira that all were present, except for a little boy that was kept outside with their conveyances, as they doubted the appropriation of bringing a child to such an invitation. No sooner could they complete their sentence that Bahira rushed to the door and walked outside, scanning from left to right for this child.

As Abu Taalib quickly followed behind Bahira, he emerged from the doorstep to find him in a frantic state. Bahira turned to Abu Taalib and informed him why an otherwise mundane scene of passing caravans arose his excitement to this level. He said: “As your caravan passed, there was not a single boulder or tree, except that they responded to your caravan by bowing/prostrating their forms, and a distinct cloud hovered above your caravan, shading you amidst the scorching heat of a clear sky”. He then added that this was something that Allah سبحانه و تعالی would only cause to occur for likes of a Prophet, as entailed in the various scriptures of the previous Prophets and nations that he had studied.

But his amazement was far from being concluded. As he stepped out of his monastery and panned his vision across the various camels, trees and stations of shade in his courtyard, his attention suddenly became drawn to a tree which he had known all too well. This tree – like all the others – had been visible to him for years and had maintained its appearance, and yet it was suddenly unrecognisable to him. His jaw then dropped in amazement as he witnessed its large branches curving before his sight, and as he gained the courage to look beneath them… he saw none other than the child he was searching for. His heart raced as he gazed upon the beautiful face of the Prophet ﷺ – as a twelve-year-old boy – sitting beneath this tree, and Subhaanallah; as he raised his sight above this tree, he saw that same solitary cloud, hovering directly above it, continuing to shade the Prophet ﷺ.

Bahira started pointing out this marvellous scene to Abu Taalib in excitement, highlighting the tree and the clouds as he rushed towards the Prophet ﷺ. Abu Taalib’s concerns were raised and he began rushing behind Bahira. As Bahira stood in the presence of the Prophet ﷺ, he could not contain himself and began talking rapidly and hysterically. Having seen the marvels that had already transpired, he intended to identify the remaining signs and traits he had read and studied about. However, before he could do so, he needed to ascertain the religious background of this blessed child, for he knew that Makkah was a town overtaken by paganism and idol-worship. He thus began by initiating his quest for answers with an imploration of the well-known idols worshipped in Makkah saying: “O Boy! I implore you by Al-Laat and Al-Uzza (the names of two of the most commonly concocted pagan idols) to inform me of that which I ask you!”

Even though Bahira had approached him ﷺ in a startling and abrupt manner, as soon as he mentioned the names of these idols, the Prophet ﷺ powerfully proclaimed:

لا تسلني باللات والعزى، فو اللَّه ما أبغضت شيئا بغضهما

“Do not ask me by Al-Laat and Al-Uzza! For By ALLAH! I do not despise anything as I despise them!” (Ibn Saa’d)

Bahira was delighted by this powerful statement that came from the heart of the Final Messenger ﷺ of Allah سبحانه و تعالی, a heart that could never have anything other than Allah سبحانه و تعالی within it, and could not tolerate anything to be associated with the one true Creator, Cherisher, Sustainer and Lord of the Worlds: Allah! سبحانه و تعالی

Bahira then quickly corrected himself and implored him ﷺ in the name of Allah سبحانه و تعالی, to which the Prophet ﷺ agreed to answer his questions. Bahira then questioned the Prophet ﷺ in regards to himself in great detail. Then he abruptly grabbed hold of the Prophet ﷺ, and frantically inspected his blessed body, searching for another sign he had read about. He kept searching until he uncovered the shirt of the Prophet ﷺ and stared at – and immediately kissed – the blessed emblem, known as “The Seal of Prophethood” positioned on his back, between his shoulder blades. At this point, Bahira was beyond elation and was convinced of his judgement. His heart quickly raced with fear and he rushed to Abu Taalib, pleading him not to take this blessed child any further towards the lands of Roman occupation, wherein many groups from the people of previous scriptures may recognise him ﷺ by these signs and attempt to harm him.

This entire ordeal was fearsome enough for Abu Taalib, but hearing this additional statement had ignited his protective concern for his beloved nephew, as Abu Taalib recalled the many such incidents that had taken place from the night of his ﷺ birth till the present day, whenever people of previous Abrahamic scripture had come to Makkah. Thus, Abu Taalib ensured that the Prophet ﷺ was safely returned to Makkah, wherein he ﷺ would be protected from the sight and attention of such individuals.

(Ibn Hisham, Ibn Saa’d, Abu Nu’aym, Tirmidhi)

The Blessed Tree: A Living Sahaabi

As time went on, this region of Busra – wherein Bahira’s monastery resided – slowly began to wither away, and now – over fourteen-hundred years later – the land (now part of modern-day Jordan) is completely derelict, neither the monastery, nor its settlements remain. For miles, the region is covered in a terrain of dry, cracked earth so densely affected by drought, that cars are unable to drive upon its tract. Not a single living being, nor an animal, nor a plant can be seen for miles, due to the centuries of reported drought with little to no rain. However, between the vastness of this dry, dead land, one beautiful tree stands tall, alive and healthy, with beautifully thick, strong branches – still curved down to this day – and lush leaves. This blessed tree remains alive with a beautiful pond of water at its base, through the Barakah from the touch of the Prophet ﷺ. This is the tree where the Prophet ﷺ is reported to have sat outside the courtyard of Bahira, and thus it is lovingly called; “The Living Sahaabi (Companion) of Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ.

Join us tomorrow as we continue with our next article: “Harbul Fujjar: Wars & Jahiliyyah”

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم
الحمد لله رب العالمين الذي منّ علی المؤمنين اذ بعث فيهم رسولا من انفسهم يتلوا عليهم ايته و يزكيهم و يعلمهم الكتاب و الحكمة و ان كانوا من قبلُ لفي ضلال مّبين

After the Prophet’s ﷺ blessed mother passed away, Sayyidah Umm Ayman رضی الله عنها brought our Beloved Prophet ﷺ back to Makkah, and into the care of his ﷺ grandfather Abdul-Muttalib.

Abdul-Muttalib personally took responsibility for the care and upbringing of his grandson, who he dearly loved since birth. Over time his love became apparent to all, until he could not bear to let the Prophet ﷺ out of his sight. He would take his beloved six-year-old grandson with him everywhere, and his face would light up with love every time he gazed upon the Prophet ﷺ. Abdul-Muttalib would place the Prophet ﷺ next to him on his special seating in the shade of the Kaa’bah, whilst all the elders and nobles of Makkah – including Abdul-Muttalib’s own sons – watched how this innocent child was honored to sit where no one else could, caressed with love by the senior leader of Quraish, and the entire of city of Makkah.

Who was Abdul-Muttalib?

The Prophet’s ﷺ grandfather was an extremely honorable and dignified individual. He was extremely handsome and well-refined. He earned and demanded respect, whilst also being kind and generous. He was exceedingly hospitable and cared greatly for the rights and welfare of people. He would defend the weak and shelter the impoverished. He would fight the unjust practices of Jahiliyyah, to the extent, that he would protect innocent baby girls from being buried alive by their fathers, and would raise them and pay for their needs with love and dignity.

His real name was Shaybah ibn Hashim, and he was originally from the city of Yathrib. He became an orphan at a young age and his uncle ‘Muttalib’ brought him to Makkah riding behind him on his camel. It was from this moment he was given the name ‘Abdul-Muttalib’ by the inhabitants of Makkah. As he grew older, he eventually took upon the responsibility of his uncle and grandfather to lead Makkah and take custodianship of the Kaa’bah, as well as the responsibility of tending to the needs of its people and the needs of its pilgrims. Allah سبحانه و تعالی chose him for many great, noble tasks; among them was the instruction to unearth the well of Zam Zam which he was shown in a dream. He fulfilled this task with his son by the will and permission of Allah سبحانه و تعالی. Above of all, he was selected by Allah سبحانه و تعالی to be the bearer of the light of His Final Messenger ﷺ as it passed through his lineage.

إِنَّ اللّٰهَ اصْطَفٰى كِنَانَةَ مِنْ وَلَدِ إِسْمَاعِيْلَ، وَاصْطَفٰى قُرَيْشًا مِنْ كِنَانَة، وَاصْطَفٰى هَاشِمًا مِنْ قُرَيْش، وَاصْطَفَانِي مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ

“Indeed, Allah سبحانه و تعالی chose (the clan of) Kinanah from among the descendants of Isma’eel علیه السلام, and He chose )the tribe of) Quraysh from among (the sons of ) Kinanah, and He chose (the sons of) Hashim from among tribes of Quraysh, and me from among the sons of Abdul-Muttalib” (Sahih Muslim, Tirmidhi)

Fulfilment of Purpose

As well as having great love for his grandson, Abdul-Muttalib also had a great reverence for him ﷺ. He recognized the unique qualities his grandson possessed, as well as the immense Khair and Barakah that surrounded him ﷺ. Whenever a difficult task arose, he would assign his grandson to carry out that task, knowing he could reach the fulfillment of purpose through the Barakah that lied within his grandson.

Once a man had come to Makkah to perform Hajj. When he entered upon the haram, he found Abdul-Muttalib earnestly performing tawaf around the Kaa’bah, supplicating for the safe return of his beloved grandson – Muhammad ﷺ. Upon further inquiry the man was told:

“This is ‘Abdul-Muttalib. He had just sent his grandson in search of some lost camels. Whenever he sends his grandson on an errand, the child returns successful. However, on this latest task, the young boy was taking longer than usual”

Shortly after, the Prophet ﷺ returned with the lost camels, successfully fulfilling what others would have failed to do. As soon as Abdul-Muttalib saw him ﷺ, he rushed to embrace him and told him how worried he was over his safety and well-being. Abdul Muttalib then vowed that he would never let the Prophet ﷺ part from his sight ever again. (Ibn Hisham)

Abdul-Muttalib Passes Away

Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ enjoyed the deep love and care of his grandfather in the painful absence of his parents, and he ﷺ grew up under his supervision till he was eight-years old. Then Abdul-Muttalib had fallen severely ill and called upon all of his children. After witnessing the death of his ﷺ mother, he had barely spent two-years settling in with his grandfather before seeing him lay on his death-bed. In his final moments Abdul-Muttalib showed how much he cared for his beloved grandson, ensuring that he bequest that his son Abu Talib – the full brother of Sayyidinaa Abdullah رضی الله عنه, the father of the Prophet ﷺ – take complete responsibility of his grandson and never ever leave his side. (Ibn Hisham, Ibn Ishaq)

Sayyidah Umm Ayman رضی الله عنها recalls the painful moment when the grandfather of the Prophet ﷺ had passed away and was being taken for burial.

رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – يَوْمَئِذٍ يَبْكِي خَلْفَ سَرِيرِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ

“I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ on that day, in tears, crying behind the funeral procession of Abdul-Muttalib” (Ibn Saa’d)

May Allah سبحانه و تعالی bless the innocent heart of Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ, and fill it with happiness and joy, in a manner that is befitting His generosity in giving and the majesty of his treasures. Ameen Yaa Rabbal ‘Aalameen

Join us tomorrow as we continue in the next article: “In the Guardianship of Abu Talib”

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم
الحمد لله رب العالمين الذي منّ علی المؤمنين اذ بعث فيهم رسولا من انفسهم يتلوا عليهم ايته و يزكيهم و يعلمهم الكتاب و الحكمة و ان كانوا من قبلُ لفي ضلال مّبين

Every journey has a beginning, middle and end, and the journey to Abwa was no different. This journey began when Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها – along with Umm Ayman رضی الله عنها – took her beloved son on a memorable journey to the lands of Yathrib. Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ was only six years old, and this would be his first experience of a wonderful, exciting family trip with his mother and Umm Ayman رضی الله عنها who was extremely dear to him ﷺ, she was like family. They rode on two camels as they set off for the journey, eventually catching up and joining one of the northbound caravans. They reached her ancestral home and resided here for a month, before deciding to return back to Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

Arrival at Yathrib

Whilst in Yathrib they first stopped over at the residences of the Bani Adiyy ibn Najjar, whom were close relatives of both his ﷺ parents and his grandparents. Here the Prophet ﷺ enjoyed the wonderful company of his extended family, and their children with whom he ﷺ loved playing with. It had become a perfect scene to enjoy. The wonderful love and hospitality of his family, the smile of his beautiful mother رضی الله عنها and Umm Ayman رضی الله عنها, the fun and engaging activities, the laughter of the children playing and the warm ambience of the sunset. This was an absolutely pain-free period of pure happiness, near-perfect memories that would stay with the Prophet ﷺ for the rest of his blessed life.

At the Grave of Sayyidinaa Abdullah رضی الله عنه

However, in addition to acquainting her beautiful child with his extended family, Sayyidah Aaminah RA also had a second wish during this trip: to acquaint her innocent little boy with her beloved husband Abdullah رضی الله عنه, his dear father whom he had never seen or met. (Ibn Saa’d)

Here Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ learned of his father and was taken to the resting place of Sayyidinaa Abdullah رضی الله عنه in these very lands. This was a powerful moment in the life of the Prophet ﷺ, to stand in front of his father’s grave, to share the same space with the one who carried his light that illuminated his forehead for almost the entirety of his life. He ﷺ stood before his blood, his name and his lineage in this moment. Standing in the presence of one’s parent’s grave is an experiential reality that cannot be exemplified in words, but can only be understood by the heart that has broken in front of one, and the eyes that have flowed with tears in its presence.

Those whom have lost a parent will know that standing before them in death can be nothing short of standing before them in life. Their undying love, care and compassion transcends beyond soil and embraces the heart of their child. Our Prophet ﷺ stood in the presence of his father, resting in his grave, whilst he had spent six years without him, not knowing what his love was like, nor his care, nor his compassion, nor his shelter, nor his protection. But all these sentiments transcend beyond the grave and the Prophet’s ﷺ innocent heart now felt the true reality of being an orphan, living in this world without his father. It was moments like this which further intensified the assurance that he ﷺ would never ever allow another orphan to cry in his blessed presence.

But as painful as this moment was, we see that such is the reality of parents, who’s love and shelter transcends beyond their lives and beyond their soil. For he ﷺ would not know at this time, that years later, when his own relatives and his own people would break his heart and exile him from Makkah – the homeland of his father – it would be the soil wherein his father rested that would give him shelter and love like no other, and it would be the soil wherein his father rested that would become the soil chosen by Allah سبحانه و تعالی for him ﷺ to rest in till the day of Qiyaamah. The city that was more beloved to him than the whole world, the city that he called his own, the city… of Madinah Al-Munawwarah.

May Allah سبحانه و تعالی allow us all to visit and be allocated a spot near the beautiful resting place of Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ, to breathe our final moments in his blessed presence, with the pleasure of Allah سبحانه و تعالی Ameen Yaa Rabbal ‘Aalameen!

Leaving Yathrib

As this timeless moment came to pass, the Prophet ﷺ was taken by his mother when their stay in Yathrib concluded and the time had come to return to Makkah once again. Allah سبحانه و تعالی alone knows how it must have felt to bid farewell to the grave of Sayyidinaa Abdullah رضی الله عنه which slowly became farther and farther away as they walked, whilst the image of his resting place would remain etched in his blessed heart forever.

They once again traversed the path home with the caravan, heading towards Makkah Al-Mukarramah. The Prophet ﷺ sat in the loving care of his mother, concluding a journey that began with some of the most wonderful, pain-free memories, and concluded with a new found reality that was fresh in his innocent heart, too powerful to fade away.  

But during the course of this return journey, Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها herself was also naturally experiencing difficulty and pain. Having stood in the presence of her beloved husband, reliving the pain of losing him, recalling life without him by her side for all these years, and then bidding him farewell for a second time was no easy task in any measure. She began feeling a state of illness and fatigue that continued to intensify until they were forced to stop at a place known as Abwa, where they rested in the shade of a nearby tree.

The Farewell at Abwa

Fresh from the realisation of visiting his father’s grave, Our Prophet ﷺ now stood in front of his beloved mother, the only parent he has left, the only parent he grew up with, the only parent his heart is latching onto, ensuring he ﷺ never has to live without her too. But as her illness began to intensify, the scene became even more painful and worrying for the innocent heart of this six-year-old boy, whose angelic eyes filled with pain would now be moved to tears.

Umm Ayman رضی الله عنها also witnessed this scene and was likewise in a very difficult position. She also had the imperative task to ensure the safety and care of both Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها – who was like a sister and the closest thing to family she had – and also Muhammad ﷺ, whom she dearly loved as a son.

As Sayyidah Aaminah’s رضی الله عنها illness intensified, Our Prophet ﷺ innocently sat at the head of his beautiful mother, as he gazed upon the sheer pain and struggle she was facing. Our Prophet’s ﷺ blessed mother had now realised that this was no passing illness, but rather she was now experiencing her final moments. She painfully looked up to the innocent face of her beautiful boy who was sat so close to her, and as she gazed into his tearful eyes, she exerted every last drip of energy she had to deliver one last expression of her limitless motherly love and compassion. She delivered a heartful message that would be a form of her lasting companionship at the side of her son throughout his blessed life. She aimed to relieve his fears and sorrow, and motivate him for those beautiful moments she would not be able to witness and aid him in. She expressed the beautiful dreams she had seen and informed him of the greatness he was destined for, the importance of his life and the reason he ﷺ was sent to this world. As breathing became intensely difficult and she reached her final breaths, she then concluded to relieve the pain of her beautiful child as she gazed into his painful eyes one last time and said:

كل حي ميت وكل جديد بال وكل كبير يفنى وأنا ميتة وذكري باق وقد تركت خيرا وولدت طهرا

“(O my son!) Every living being will die one day, and everything new will wither. Every elder will one day disappear, and I too am dying… However, my remembrance will remain forever, for indeed I leave behind me the best, and I gave birth to the purest.” (Abu Nu’aym, Khasaais Al-Kubra)

With these heartfelt words she breathed her last and left this world at the head of the greatest of creation. It was here, at Abwa, where she was destined to return to her Lord, and reunite with her noble husband – Sayyidinaa Abdullah رضی الله عنها – and she is buried, to this day, in that very spot.

اِنَّا للّٰهِ وَ اِنَّا اِلَیْهِ رَاجِعُوْن

May Allah سبحانه و تعالی bless her and be pleased with her.

Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ had now been orphaned of both his parents, and his innocent heart – fresh from the pain of bidding farewell to his father’s grave – now bore the pain of witnessing his compassionate mother leave this world before his eyes.  

But Allah سبحانه و تعالی would never allow his beloved ﷺ to feel unsheltered in this world. Like the clouds that followed and the trees that curved their branches to shade him, Allah سبحانه و تعالی had selected and kept Umm Ayman رضی الله عنها by his ﷺ side to care and protect his beloved Messenger ﷺ. The one who he ﷺ referred to as: “my mother after my own mother.” (Ibn Asakir).

Burial at Abwa

She رضی الله عنها began preparation for burial as the Prophet ﷺ would now see his beloved mother being lowered into the grave and soil placed over her blessed body. This was a painful moment, as a six-year-old boy his heart had now not only experienced witnessing the grave of a deceased parent, but also witnessed how it feels to lower a parent into the grave, all in a short space of time.

After losing his father who he could not even meet, he had now lost the only other parent he did. Umm Ayman رضی الله عنها tried to comfort him as best she could, but the Prophet ﷺ now felt a sense of how alone he truly was in this world. A glimpse into how painful this moment truly was could be seen when he ﷺ returned almost fifty years later to this very spot, as an established leader and beloved Prophet. The Sahabah رضی الله عنهم saw him descend from his conveyance and sit down on the ground by the grave of his mother, and the tears that had flown from the pain in his heart were such that every single person who witnessed this scene burst into to tears. (Sahih Muslim)

Thus, Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها was buried at Abwa and the remaining two journeyed back to Makkah, wherein he ﷺ would now enter without a home to call his own, without a parent to run to in happiness or sorrow, and without the ability to see his mothers beautiful smile ever again.

The Greatest Example

Whist these experiences were unimaginably painful, Allah سبحانه و تعالی had destined them to pass in order to prepare his beloved ﷺ for the great mission ahead of him, and so that his Ummah may find companionship and direction in times of pain and sorrow, through the life of their beloved Prophet ﷺ.

لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌۭ لِّمَن كَانَ يَرْجُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلْيَوْمَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَ وَذَكَرَ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent model for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.” (Surah Ahzab 33:21)

When we lose a parent, when we miss their love and compassion, we lower them into their graves, when we visit their graves as our hearts are captivated by their sentiments, when our tongues cannot express into words, the sorrows that lie within us, and when our minds cannot find clarity and direction… we can turn to the life of Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ, making his blessed Seerah our companion, find direction in his example, quantify the essence of our heart’s sorrow in his expressions, respond by following his example, and find purpose in his teachings.

May Allah سبحانه و تعالی bless and send the best of salutations upon our Beloved Prophet ﷺ, by the number of moments in his blessed life, multiplied by the number of difficulties he ﷺ endured, and grant him bountiful blessings in place of every sorrow he faced for us throughout his life. Ameen Yaa Rabbal ‘Aalameen!

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم
الحمد لله رب العالمين الذي منّ علی المؤمنين اذ بعث فيهم رسولا من انفسهم يتلوا عليهم ايته و يزكيهم و يعلمهم الكتاب و الحكمة و ان كانوا من قبلُ لفي ضلال مّبين

After two beautiful years in the care of Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها, the nursing period had now concluded and it was time for the Prophet ﷺ to return to his home in Makkah, to his beloved mother Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها who eagerly yearned for him ﷺ. However, neither Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها, nor Shayma رضی الله عنها, nor the rest of their family were ready to part with the Prophet ﷺ.

When the day of return came, Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها could not bear to do so as she met with Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها who was equally yearning for her son. Here we had two beautiful souls, two hearts of two mothers that both yearned for the Prophet ﷺ and loved him dearly. Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها recalled all the Khair (Goodness) and Barakah (Blessings) that transformed her life and world through his ﷺ presence, and had decided in that moment to convince Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها to allow her to spend some more time with him ﷺ.

She knew this would not be easy due to the great love and care a mother’s heart feels for her child, but being a mother herself she convinced Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها by igniting the protective faculties that stimulate a mother to endure the greatest of pains and sacrifices for her child’s well-being. She رضی الله عنها mentioned the climate of Makkah and the spreading pandemic that was affecting its inhabitants, and earnestly requested that she be permitted to keep the Prophet ﷺ in her home at Banu Saa’d to protect him. Thus, Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها agreed out of sheer love and protection for her beloved son and Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها joyfully returned home with the Prophet ﷺ who uplifted her entire household that was burdened with the pain of his absence.

In this manner Sayyidah Haleemah RA and her family continued to prolong and enjoy his ﷺ blessed company for a number of years, watching him grow into a beautiful boy who only increased in excellence and virtue.

The Angels علیهم السلام Approach

As the years passed and the Prophet ﷺ was now four or five years old, he ﷺ was once out grazing goats with his milk-brothers in the lands of Banu Saa’d. It was during this moment when two great men approached them and headed straight for the Prophet ﷺ. Seeing this, the children of Sayyidah Haleemah Saa’diyah رضی الله عنها displayed great courage out of the love they had for their milk-brother, risking their lives to protect him ﷺ from what was perceived as a sign of danger or harm. Nevertheless, they were unable to stop the two men whom were now taking hold of him ﷺ and placing him on the ground. At this moment the children frantically ran to their parents calling out for help and protection for their beloved “Quraishi Brother”, which they lovingly referred to him ﷺ by.

During this time, the two men – who were in reality angels that had taken the form of men – began opening the chest of the Prophet ﷺ who was laid flat on the ground, observing and experiencing this as an innocent child. Sayyidinaa Anas ibn Maalik RA narrates the account of this incident which heard he from the Prophet ﷺ:

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُ: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَتَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَیْهِ السَّلَام وَهُوَ يَلْعَبُ مَعَ الْغِلْمَانِ فَأَخَذَهُ فَصَرَعَهُ فَشَقَّ عَنْ قَلْبِهِ فَاسْتَخْرَجَ الْقَلْبَ فَاسْتَخْرَجَ مِنْهُ عَلَقَةً

“The Angel Jibra’eel علیه السلام came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while he was playing with the children. He took hold of him and lay him down on the ground and split open his chest and took out the heart from it and then extracted a blood-clot out of it.”
(Sahih Muslim)

Thereafter they placed the blessed heart of the Prophet ﷺ in cold Zam Zam, then restored it to his blessed body and sealed his blessed chest once again. This was a significant moment which spiritually and physically prepared the Prophet ﷺ for the great mission of Nubuwwah (Prophethood) that he would embark upon in the future.

From a spiritual perspective alone, we see the sheer, unimaginable strength of the heart of Rasoolullah ﷺ which was now fortified for the first stage of his mission. Allah سبحانه و تعالی teaches us the strength of his ﷺ heart when he declared to us in the Qur’aan that even a great mountain would not be able to bear the might of the Word of God! His blessed heart ﷺ was the only vessel pure enough and strong enough to yield the mighty revelation of Allah’s final and greatest message.  Allah سبحانه و تعالی says regarding this in the Glorious Qur’aan:

لَوۡ اَنۡزَلۡنَا هٰذَا الۡقُرۡاٰنَ عَلٰى جَبَلٍ لَّرَاَيۡتَهٗ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنۡ خَشۡيَةِ اللّٰهِ​ؕ وَتِلۡكَ الۡاَمۡثَالُ نَضۡرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَفَكَّرُوۡنَ‏

“Had We sent down this Qur’aan upon a mountain, you would have certainly seen it humbled and torn apart in awe of Allah. We set forth such comparisons for people, so perhaps they may reflect” (Surah Al Hashr 59:21)

Upon completion of this procedure, the angels then placed their hands on the blessed chest and comforted the Prophet ﷺ:

ثُمَّ ضَمُّونِي إِلَى صُدُورِهِمْ وَقَبَّلُوا رَأْسِي وَمَا بَيْنَ عَيْنَيَّ ثُمَّ قَالُوا يَا حَبِيبُ لَمْ تُرَعْ إِنَّكَ لَوْ تَدْرِي مَا يُرَادُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ لَقَرَّتْ عَيْنَاكَ

“They all hugged me, kissed my forehead and between my eyes and said, Oh beloved! If you only knew what goodness is intended for you, you would be delighted” (Abu Nu’aym, Ibn Asakir)

As the angels returned, Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها and her husband Haarith arrived at the scene, rushing to his safety as soon as the children informed them. They found the Prophet ﷺ whilst his face had become pale in a state of astonishment. Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها immediately embraced the Prophet ﷺ and hugged him to her chest and comforted him, asking him what had happened and ascertaining his well-being. Likewise, Haarith also held on to the Prophet ﷺ and hugged him as they inquired and heard his account of what had occured.   

Bidding farewell to Banu Saa’d

Following this incident, Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها was constantly worried and concerned for the safety of the Prophet ﷺ out of the sheer love and concern she felt for him. She could not bear for herself to be the cause of harm or danger for him ﷺ by keeping him in such a place where she feared such incidents may re-occur. Thus, her own protective faculties were ignited and she could not sleep until he ﷺ was safe, even if that meant she would have to distance herself from him by taking him ﷺ out of Banu Saa’d.

Both Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها and her husband Haarith agreed to return to Makkah with the Prophet ﷺ for the sake of his safety and protection. They took him ﷺ back to Makkah Al-Mukarramah and allowed Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها to keep him ﷺ in her care. Seeing this sudden change arose a suspicion in Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها, for she knew that they had always insisted on keeping him ﷺ and would never wish to part with him. She رضی الله عنها asked them in regards to this and insisted until they told her the complete story. They were however, met with no sense of fear or concern in response from Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها, though she was the blessed mother of the Prophet ﷺ who gave birth to him ﷺ and loved him even more than them. Rather she consoled them with absolute confidence and guarantee that no one could harm her blessed child, citing the various experiences she witnessed during the pregnancy and birth whilst telling them:

كلا والله ما لشيطان عليه سبيل، وإنه لكائن لابنى هذا شأن عظيم

“By Allah, there is no way that the Devil can get to him. This son of mine will be of great standing.” (Mawaahib Al-Ladunniyyah)

However, after consoling them and giving them confidence to have no such fear, she displayed her motherly love and made it clear that she would not part with her beloved son this time. Thus at this juncture Sayyidah Haleemah RA painfully bid farewell to the son she was chosen to feed, raise and nurture. Her love and care lived with the Prophet ﷺ throughout his blessed life, as did the connection with his siblings and dear family in Banu Saa’d, especially his sister Shayma رضی الله عنها.

Allah سبحانه و تعالی reunited the Prophet ﷺ with Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها and Sayyidah Shayma رضی الله عنها shortly after the conquest of Makkah in the year 8 AH. They stood before him in an emotional tribute as they gazed upon his blessed face in awe, now grown into the perfect man ﷺ, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the liberator and conqueror of Makkah Al-Mukarramah ﷺ, whilst he ﷺ humbly stood before them as a son, and a younger brother loving, caring and honouring them in their elderly age as they did for him in his infancy.

May Allah سبحانه و تعالی be pleased with them both and grant them the ultimate Sa’aadah (Felicity) of the Aakhirah!

Join us tomorrow as we continue in the blessed Seerah with our next article: “Return to Makkah”

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم
الحمد لله رب العالمين الذي منّ علی المؤمنين اذ بعث فيهم رسولا من انفسهم يتلوا عليهم ايته و يزكيهم و يعلمهم الكتاب و الحكمة و ان كانوا من قبلُ لفي ضلال مّبين

Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ stayed in the care of his loving mother and was the joy of her heart. Whenever she رضی الله عنها felt the absence of her beloved husband or any type of sorrow, it vanished as soon as she gazed upon his beautiful smile, or became captivated by the lustre of his eyes. In addition to Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها, Allah سبحانه و تعالی ennobled women such as Thuwaybah bint Tha’alabah رضی الله عنها to nurse and feed the Prophet ﷺ as a baby.

During this time, the reign of Jahiliyyah (Ignorance) had not only contaminated the spiritual awe of Makkah, but also tainted its physical reality. Both the climate and environment of Makkah was being negatively impacted at the hands of various townsmen that had tainted its pure lifestyle, and contaminated its air. Moral standards were being diminished by the day, and the shadows of built-up streets disconnected its inhabitants from the nature of earthen life. The purity and eloquence of the Arabic language which found its roots in these lands and was the hallmark of its nobles was becoming unrefined with vulgarity and slang. In addition to this, the hustle-bustle of cities and trade centres was becoming distractive and overwhelming.

Due to this it became a practice of the noble families of Makkah to send their infants out to the rural villages to grow up healthy in the uncontaminated air of the countryside. The purpose was also to expose the child to the eloquence and purity of the Arabic language and to pick up an authentic sense of nature and puritan lifestyles.

In lieu of this, wet-nurses from various pasturelands would travel to Makkah on assigned days in open-day style assembly where parents would bring their children to meet with potential families. Here they would entrust their child’s upbringing and nurturing to the wet-nurse of their choice. Thus, Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها – being from the noblest of families and bearing the noblest of all children in creation – was faced with the same task. Undoubtedly this was an extremely difficult task for any mother to sperate from her baby in this manner, let alone the mother of the most beautiful baby of all. But just as we research and prepare for the best nurseries, schools and upbringings for our children, likewise this was a sacrifice and separation she would bear out of the sheer love and care she had for her beloved son’s future and protection.

Sayyidah Haleemah Saa’diyyah رضی الله عنها

Women from all over Arabia had already departed and started entering into Makkah on this particular day, each seeking the maximum advantage of receiving a child whom would result in a healthy reward and contribution for them from its parents. Whilst everyone raced ahead, there lagged behind a struggling grey mule that carried an impoverished family suffering from the drought and famine that affected their pastures.

Sayyidah Halimah bint Abi Dhuaib رضی الله عنها from the Banu Saa’d lands accompanied by her husband – Al-Harith bin Abdul Uzza – and her infant son made their way to Makkah in search of a child to suckle. Their conveyance was an extremely thin donkey and a camel that wouldn’t produce even a drop of milk. They were constantly praying for rain and immediate relief as they could not sleep during the night due to her child crying on the account of severe hunger.

During this time, the women that had already reached Makkah had begun scoping the various options available on a first-come, first serve basis, resulting in all the children from wealthy families swiftly being assigned nurses in a short period of time. All of these women were offered to take Rasoolullah ﷺ with them, but none of them accepted due to the fact that he ﷺ was an “orphan”. Yet there eyes could not see that he ﷺ was not a “Yateem” (Alone, without a father) but rather he ﷺ was “Durr Yateem” (A unique, rare pearl). Their eyes and hearts could not perceive the awe that surrounded this pearl ﷺ, and thus they chose to refuse, as they had fixed their eyes on the worldly gains. But little did they know that in reality, they were the ones being refused for this exalted treasure, for Allah سبحانه و تعالی had destined only one blessed woman for His Habeeb Al-Mustafa ﷺ.

لما ولد- صلى الله عليه وسلم-، قيل: من يكفل هذه الدرة اليتيمة، التى لا يوجد لمثلها قيمة؟ قالت الطيور: نحن نكفله ونغنم خدمته العظيمة، قالت الوحوش: نحن أولى بذلك ننال شرفه وتعظيمه، فنادى لسان القدرة: أن يا جميع المخلوقات: إن الله تعالى قد كتب فى سابق حكمته القديمة أن نبيه الكريم يكون رضيعا لحليمة الحليمة

“When he ﷺ was born, it was said: “Who will look after this Durrah Al-Yateem?, for the likes of which there is no sufficient repayment? The birds called out: “We will take care of him ﷺ and attain his exalted servitude!”, the creatures of land called out: “We are the most rightful for that, we will attain his honor and his greatness!”, and then all of creation was called out to and it was announced: “Indeed Allah تعالی has already written in his pre-eternal wisdom, that His Noble Prophet ﷺ would be suckled by the forbearing Haleemah!” (Mawaahib Al-Ladunniyyah)

By the time Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها had arrived, all the women obtained at least one infant to return home with, but Halimah رضي الله عنها was left empty handed. But as the hour of departure drew closer, she suddenly had a passionate urge to go and pick up the orphan boy that had not yet been assigned a nurse. She stood up saying to her husband:

وَاَللهِ إنّي لَأَكْرَهُ أَنْ أَرْجِعَ مِنْ بَيْنِ صَوَاحِبِي وَلَمْ آخُذْ رَضِيعًا، وَاَللهِ لَأَذْهَبَنّ إلَى ذَلِكَ الْيَتِيمِ فَلَآخُذَنّهُ قَالَ لَا عَلَيْك أَنْ تَفْعَلِي، عَسَى اللهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ لَنَا فِيهِ بَرَكَةً

 “By Allah! Indeed, I dislike that I return amongst all my co-nurses whilst I don’t have a child to nurse, By Allah! I will go to this orphan and I will by all odds take him with me. I perceive Allah will bestow blessings upon us due to him” (Ibn Hisham)

Allah سبحانه و تعالی inspired the heart of the one He chose for His Habeeb ﷺ and she was blessed with this Sa’aadah (Felicity). Sayyidah Halimah Saa’diyah رضي الله عنها held high hopes with Allah سبحانه و تعالی and distinctly put her trust solely in Him سبحانه و تعالی who opened the doors of Barakah for her through the Prophet ﷺ. The other women held their hopes on creation whilst she رضي الله عنها held her hopes on Allah سبحانه و تعالی alone.

أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي

“I will deal with my servant in the manner he expects me to deal with him.”
(Musnad Ahmad)

وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱلْحَىِّ ٱلَّذِى لَا يَمُوتُ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِهِۦ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِهِۦ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًا

“And rely upon the Ever-Living who does not die, and exalt [Allah] with His praise”
(Surah Furqan 40:58)

As soon as the blessed touch of the Prophet ﷺ embraced the heart of Sayyidah Haleemah Saa’diyah رضی الله عنها, her entire world started to flourish. They had barely departed Makkah when she started perceiving the blessings that Allah سبحانه و تعالی bestowed upon them. The udders of her camel that could not produce a drop of milk began flowing with Barakah. The sluggish and struggling conveyance that brought them to Makkah was now riding ahead in speed as she passed by the same women who had witnessed her state on her journey towards Makkah.

Seeing these beautiful blessings her husband exclaimed:

وَاَللهِ يَا حَلِيمَةُ، لَقَدْ أَخَذْت نَسَمَةً مُبَارَكَةً

“By Allah! You have taken an exceptionally blessed child!” (Ibn Hisham)

In the Care of Haleemah رضی الله عنها

During his stay with Sayyidah Haleemah Saa’diyah رضی الله عنها, Our Prophet ﷺ was welcomed into a beautiful, loving home where he was cherished and nurtured. He lived with his foster siblings Abdullah, Aneesah, Hudhafah and Shayma, who dearly loved the one they called “Our Quraishi Brother”. The Prophet ﷺ grew a special bond with Shayma رضی الله عنها, who held the motherly position of an elder sister for him and dearly cared and protected him ﷺ.

Here he ﷺ grew up in the beautiful lush pastures of Banu Saa’d, witnessing the marvels of Allah’s creation, the vastness of nature, the grazing animals and more. He was nurtured by the pure lifestyle and eloquent tongue of its people.

Sayyidinaa Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه once said to Rasoolullah ﷺ that he ﷺ is a man of eloquence and purity in language, to which Our Prophet ﷺ said:

وما يمنعني، وأنا من قريش، وأرضعت في بني سعد

“I am after all firstly from the Quraysh tribe. Moreover, I was suckled amongst the Banu Saa’d tribe”. (Ibn Hisham)

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ transforms Banu Saa’d

Due to the exalted presence of Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ, not only did the situation of Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها change, but the Barakah of his presence radiated throughout the lands of Banu Saa’d. The drought and famine affected grazing land of Sayyidah Haleemah’s رضی الله عنها home had started blossoming with beautiful, lush greenery. Her animals became healthy and produced milk with bounty. This increased to such an extent that other families of Banu Saa’d started bringing their animals to graze near her house. Such was the beauty and radiance brought about simply by the presence of Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ, just as we see how the earth became beautiful and green in the Rab’i (Spring) of his birth, as the people of Quraish narrated themselves:

وكانت قريش فى جدب شديد، وضيق عظيم، فاخضرت الأرض وحملت الأشجار، وأتاهم الرفد من كل جانب، فسميت تلك السنة التى حمل فيها برسول الله- صلى الله عليه وسلم- سنة الفتح والابتهاج

“Quraish was suffering from a severe drought and great distress, but through this blessed event the earth turned green and the trees bore fruit, and blessing came to them from every direction. Because of these blessed signs, the year when Muhammad ﷺ was conceived was called the Year of Triumph and Joy” (Mawaahib Al-Ladunniyyah)

Sayyidah Haleemah RA recalls many of the beautiful memories of her time with the Prophet ﷺ in her care, and the blessings they received by his presence. From amongst them she says:

لما دخلت به صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى منزلي لم يبق منزل من منازل بني سعد إلا شممنا منه ريح المسك، وألقيت محبته صلى الله عليه وسلم: أي واعتقاد بركته في قلوب الناس، حتى إنّ أحدهم كان إذا نزل به أذى في جسده أخذ كفه صلى الله عليه وسلم فيضعها على موضع الأذى فيبرأ بإذن الله تعالى سريعا

“When I entered my home with him ﷺ, there remained not a home from the homes of Banu Saa’d, except they were embellished with the fragrance of musk emanating from him ﷺ, and hearts became filled with love and reverence for him ﷺ, such that whenever anyone was injured in any way, they would take his palm and place it upon the area of their wound and it would heal swiftly by the permission of Allah سبحانه و تعالی” (Mawaahib Al-Ladunniyyah)

Once Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها was out working, and upon her return she did not find the Prophet ﷺ in the house during the extreme afternoon heat. Due to her intense love and care for the Prophet ﷺ she went out in search for him and her heart could not bear such an intense heat to cause him ﷺ any difficulty. When she found his sister Shayma رضی الله عنها playing with him outside, she rushed and admonished her, questioning why she brought him ﷺ out in such heat, to which she replied:

يا أمه ما وجد أخى حرّا، رأيت غمامة تظل عليه، إذا وقف وقفت وإذا سار سارت

“O Mother!, I have not found my brother affected by heat, I saw a cloud shading him. Whenever he stops, it too becomes stationary, and whenever he walks, it too moves (following him).” (Abu Nu’aym, Ibn Asakir)

This was a glimpse into some of the beautiful memoirs from his ﷺ arrival into the care of Sayyidah Haleemah RA. As the months passed, he ﷺ grew and developed, winning the hearts of all as he learned to walk in the perfect manner, speak with utmost purity and eloquence, play with the most adorable innocence and smile in the most soul-inspiring way.

But alas these beautiful months passed all too soon.  Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ was now two years old, and more beloved than ever to everyone around him, those who could not imagine there lives without him ﷺ. However, the time had come for the initial period of weaning to conclude and for the Prophet ﷺ to return to his beautiful mother who yearned for his imminent arrival. Yet Sayyidah Haleemah رضی الله عنها did not have the strength to bear the separation from him ﷺ at any cost. How will she رضی الله عنها return him ﷺ home? How will she رضی الله عنها live without him ﷺ?

To find out what happens next… join us tomorrow for our next article in the blessed Seerah: “The Splitting of the Chest”

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم
الحمد لله رب العالمين الذي منّ علی المؤمنين اذ بعث فيهم رسولا من انفسهم يتلوا عليهم ايته و يزكيهم و يعلمهم الكتاب و الحكمة و ان كانوا من قبلُ لفي ضلال مّبين

Our Beloved Master Muhammad ﷺ was born to two pure, beautiful parents who loved each other dearly. His father’s name was Abdullah, and his mother’s name was Aaminah رضی الله عنهما

The name Abdullah is a name most adored by Allah سبحانه و تعالی (Sahih Muslim) and it distinguished the pure father of the Prophet ﷺ amongst a society full of those who had become the ‘Abd (slave) of idols, false deities, corruption and desire, for he was the ‘Abd of Allah سبحانه و تعالی,  and the father of the ‘Abd and Rasool of Allah سبحانه و تعالی

Abdullah رضی الله عنه was one of the youngest and most beloved sons of Abdul Muttalib, the great leader of Makkah and the grandfather of the Prophet ﷺ

Shortly after marrying Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها, he embarked upon a trade caravan to earn and provide for his beloved wife, and his blessed child whom he eagerly anticipated. They travelled to the various lands of Gaza and Shaam, eventually returning back on route to Makkah Al-Mukarramah.

Whilst en route to Makkah, Sayyidinaa Abdullah رضی الله عنه began to feel ill and stopped over in the city which was then known as Yathrib, where he stayed in the care of his grandmother’s family, known as the Banu Najjar. He had great consideration for others and did not burden any of his companions in travel due to his illness, permitting them to proceed with their journey, so he would not hold them back and cause them any inconvenience on his part.

His companions returned to Makkah Al-Mukarramah and their arrival arose the heart of Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها who yearned to see her beloved husband after such a long period, especially with their blessed child she carried in her pure womb. Likewise, his father – Abdul Muttalib – was longing to see his beloved son, but both their hearts were left restless and anxious when they could not find him amongst the crowd and were eventually informed of his illness and condition in Yathrib.

Abdul-Muttalib immediately sent his son Haarith to Yathrib to attend to his beloved Abdullah and bring him home safely into the care of his dear father and beloved wife. After days had passed in unrest and worry, the news of Haarith returning to Makkah uplifted the heart of Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها who eagerly yearned to see the safe return of her beloved Husband. She rushed out carrying a trembling heart and an ennobled womb, only to find that Haarith had returned to Makkah alone. As Haarith entered into the city, he diffidently approached both Abdul-Muttalib and Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها to inform them of the painful news; that he was too late, and that when he had reached Yahtrib, Sayyidinaa Abdullah رضی الله عنه had already passed away in the house of Nagheebah Al-Ja’di after a month of Illness.

No sooner could he complete these painful words before sorrow overtook the hearts of all those around him, most importantly the heart of an elderly father, the heart of a widowed wife, and the heart of the unborn child in the womb of his mother, who would enter this world as an orphan Prophet ﷺ.

The books of Seerah conclude that the father of the Prophet ﷺ had passed away at approximately eighteen or twenty-five years of age whilst He ﷺ was only two months old in the womb of his mother. (Suhayli, Bayhaqi)

Thus, the father of the Prophet ﷺ had passed away even before he ﷺ was born, and he would enter into this world as an orphan, as a beacon of hope who would change the world for orphans forever. He ﷺ would honour and empower all of orphan kind, taking their title as his own title, for the Lord of the Worlds had crowned his beloved with the honorary name of Al-Yateem: “The Orphan Prophet ﷺ”.

The news of the passing of Sayyidinaa Abdullah رضی الله عنه circulated beyond the heavens and struck the hearts of the Angels themselves who rushed to their Lord and said:

إلهنا وسيدنا، بقى نبيك يتيما!

“Oh, Our Lord and Master, your Prophet has become an orphan!”

To which Allah سبحانه و تعالی declared:

أنا له حافظ ونصير

“I am his protector and supporter.”

(Al-Khasaais Al-Kubra)

Allah سبحانه و تعالی tells us in the Glorious Qur’aan:

أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًۭا فَـَٔاوَىٰ

“Did He not find you an orphan, and give you shelter?”
(Surah Ad-Duhaa 93:6)

This was a declaration of love from Allah سبحانه و تعالی to His beloved ﷺ, for even though he ﷺ may be entering into this world without the shade and shelter of a father, he ﷺ was never ever alone.

Whether it was the solitary cloud that followed and shaded him in an otherwise clear sky (Tirmidhi, Ibn Abi Shaybah), or the rain that poured forth upon the gaze of his beautiful face to the heavens (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Ibn Asakir), or the moon that came to play with him in the open night sky and console him when he was an innocent baby crying in the absence of his mother (Mawaahib Al-Ladunniyyah); these were all signs and indications that wherever he ﷺ was, Allah سبحانه و تعالی was always there to assist him and shelter him, and He سبحانه و تعالی would never ever abandon him…

وَالضُّحَىٰ ﴿١﴾ وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ ﴿٢﴾ مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ

“By the morning brightness. And [by] the night when it covers with darkness. Your Lord has not forsaken you, [O Muhammad], nor has He detested [you].”
(Surah Ad-Duhaa 93:1-3)

Love for Orphans

Our Prophet ﷺ was born an orphan and lived his life loving and protecting orphans. He ﷺ showed us their great status and instructed us to love and care for them.  He ﷺ was foretold and described with the salient feature of great care and concern for orphans.

ويبكي للْيَتِيم فِي حجر الأرملة

“And he ﷺ cries for the orphan in the care of the widow” (Abu Nu’aym)

The Prophet ﷺ taught us that caring for an orphan is such an exalted station that it results in his immediate companionship:

عَنْ سَهْل بْن سَعْدٍ رضی الله عنه عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ أَنَا وَكَافِلُ الْيَتِيمِ فِي الْجَنَّةِ هَكَذَا وَقَالَ بِإِصْبَعَيْهِ السَّبَّابَةِ وَالْوُسْطَى

Sahl ibn Sa’d reported: “The Prophet ﷺ said: “Myself and the caretaker of an orphan will be in Paradise like this,” and he held his two fingers together. “(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

May Allah سبحانه و تعالی give us the ability to love and care for orphans as is their right and in the manner Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ yearned for us to love and care for them, and likewise all those in need, Ameen!

Join us tomorrow as we continue with the next article: “In the Care of Halimah رضی الله عنها”

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم
الحمد لله رب العالمين الذي منّ علي المؤمنين اذ بعث فيهم رسولا من انفسهم يتلوا عليهم ايته و يزكيهم و يعلمهم الكتاب و الحكمة و ان كانوا من قبلُ لفي ضلال مّبين

From Darkness to Light

Throughout the course of history, Allah سبحانه و تعالی has decreed every moment in precise detail and perfected the equilibrium of creation as the forces of darkness and light collide throughout the universe in both our spiritual and our physical realities. As the devils of the spiritual realm manifest their darkness’ into our reality through the devils of flesh and stone that aim to rule our world with their corruption, Allah سبحانه و تعالی sent forth lights that permeated our world in the form of His Messengers and Prophets علیهم السلام who came to restore balance to the world. As centuries past, countless messengers علیهم السلام rose throughout the earth and fought the Dhulm (darkness and oppression) of Kufr with the Noor (light and liberation) of Imaan. This is the beautiful assistance of Allah سبحانه و تعالی upon his faithful believers, for whom he promised to protect this world as he declared in the Glorious Qur’aan:

الٓر ۚ كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ لِتُخْرِجَ ٱلنَّاسَ مِنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَمِيدِ

“Aleef, Laam, Raa. [This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], that you might bring mankind out of darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord – to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy” (Surah Ibrahim 14:1)

But as the Messengers concluded their missions – returning to their Lord – the faithful slaves of Allah سبحانه و تعالی continued to grow and spread the light of Imaan, as did the forces of darkness that now roamed the in shadows whilst the growing multitudes of their minions on earth continued to sow corruption and strife.

ظَهَرَ ٱلْفَسَادُ فِى ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِى ٱلنَّاسِ

“Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned…” (Surah Ar-Room 30:41)

A world shadowed by darkness and ignorance

It was at this point in time, when almost 600 years had passed since the ascension of the great Prophet ‘Isa علیه السلام who was sent as a beacon to the faithful slaves of Bani Isra’eel. During these years the world had sunk to its greatest period of ignorance yet. A world covered in darkness, where misguidance was widespread and the Shayaateen ruled the earth with Shirk and Kufr. Where idol worship, oppression, tyranny, racism and hatred prevailed. Where rights were trampled upon and justice was seldom served.

A world where dark lakes of swirling water were worshiped and huge blazing flames burning over a millennium of years where ignited and prostrated to. Where unruly rule savaged the earth with rulers like Kisra, looking down upon an oppressed Persia with the eye of his pride and content held up by his fourteen huge galleries of stone. When the blessed house of Allah سبحانه و تعالی – the Kaa’ba – itself felt imprisoned by three-hundred and sixty surrounding idols, devils of stone that were pierced into the ground of the sacred haram at the hands of the devils of flesh. A time when the sacred city of Makkah Al-Mukarramah was overshadowed by ignorance to such an extent that it became known as Ayyaamul Jaahilyyah (The Period of Ignorance). Where power and riches were the monopoly of an elitist few who ensured none other than they should prosper. When the darkness of Shaytaan had become so fervently rooted in the hearts of man, that daughters were buried alive at the hands of their fathers as they screamed out in tears. Where Shirk and Kufr were so firmly embedded that all were forced to worship and believe in that which their hands moulded from clay, with persecution and death the result of believing otherwise.

But little did they know, everything was about to change, forever… For Allah سبحانه و تعالی had destined this very time – when the world was at its darkest – for the purest of His lights in creation to rise and illuminate the world in its entirety. For the first time in the story of creation, such a Ni’mah Adheemah (Exalted Blessing) of divine assistance was about to be sent, in the form of a a Prophet and a Messenger so great that he would transcend beyond the spatial borders and time restraints every other messenger was confined to, for he would be a mercy for every time and every space. A light that ennobled the forehead of Sayyidinaa Adam علیه السلام and became the means of openings for him to be re-united with his wife and become the father of mankind (Bayhaqi, Haakim). A light that calmed the heart of Sayyidnaa Nooh علیه السلام amidst the turbulent storms of the flood, ‘ a source of blessing navigating the great Ship (Bayhaqi, Khasaais Al-Kubra). A light which traversed through the greatest spaces and times from pure loins to pure wombs, aiding the greatest of Prophet’s and Messengers in their most triumphant moments and fiercest battles. A light that had now reached Makkah Al-Mukarramah, radiating upon the forehead of one of the youngest sons of Abdul-Muttalib, the noble leader of Quraish.

The Year of The Elephant

During this period of ignorance, a great occurrence took place in Makkah Al-Mukarramah in the opening months of the year 571 AD. When the tyrannous ruler known as Abraha marched upon the city of Makkah with a huge army of soldiers and elephants to destroy the Ka’bah and demolish any remnants of Sayyidinaa Ibrahim’s علیه السلام legacy of true, pure Tawheed. But no match to the power of Allah, his great army and vast elephants were destroyed by the smallest of birds carrying the lightest of pebbles through the will of the king of kings: Allah سبحانه و تعالی. This momentous miracle is recalled in the famously known Surah Al-Feel, “The Chapter of the Elephant”:

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ ﴿١﴾ أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ ﴿٢﴾ وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ ﴿٣﴾ تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ ﴿٤﴾ فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولٍ ﴿٥﴾

“Have you not considered, [O Muhammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant? Did He not make their plan into misguidance? And He sent against them birds in flocks, Striking them with stones of hard clay, And He made them like eaten straw.”
(Surah Al-Feel 105:1-5)

This event foreshadowed that this year would be marked in the annals of history, preserved and never to be to forgotten.

The House of Aaminah رضی الله عنها

During the course of these events, Sayyidah Aamina رضی الله عنها, the wife of Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib was pregnant in her home close to the vicinity of the Haram, whilst her husband was travelling to earn and provide for his beloved wife, and his blessed child whom he eagerly anticipated. With regular visits and care from Abdul Muttalib, the father of her husband, she eagerly awaited the arrival of her beloved husband, and her beloved child as the days drew closer.

When the World was Illuminated

It was during this course when fifty to fifty-five days after the incident of the elephant, when one night, a change ignited in the air. The eyes of Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها opened in her home amidst the peaceful open plane of Makkah, and she felt and amazing experience that initiated the birth of her child, unlike the experiences of any other mother. Meanwhile, zooming out of this beautifully serene night in Makkah, the world felt a strong shift manifesting from the spiritual realms which rocked the hearts of the Shayaateen and caused a state of unrest to come over them.

This transpired until the devils of man began to feel its weight, as the mightily conceited Kisra awoke in anguish, and the swirling waters of lake Sawah began to feel a tremor. The Magians in Persia arose to a formidable sight, when their flames quivered uncontrollably. The winds grew stronger and stronger and shocked them all when a thousand-year-old flame suddenly became powerfully extinguished as it swirled into thin air. Mean whilst the vast lake of Sawah was suddenly being sucked into the earth just as the countless forces of Dhulm (darkness and oppression) were trembling to the ground. The huge stone pillars of Kisra’s palace began trembling violently as they started to shatter and fall to the ground, bringing him and his arrogance to ruins.

This was the powerful scene on this night when the realms of darkness were withering away and the Shayaateen were in fear of that which they could not bear to challenge. And it is at this moment we transition back to the city of Makkah, where a beautifully elated Ka’bah witnesses three-hundred and sixty idols shaking with fear in an otherwise overwhelmingly serene night, whilst Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها is sat in her home nearby, anticipating the imminent arrival of the pure light within her, whose mere emergence sent shockwaves through the realms of darkness.

The Dawn of Fajr

During the dawn of Fajr on this beautiful night, Allah سبحانه و تعالی sent to this world His greatest gift, His most exalted creation, His most beloved slave and the purest of His lights in all of creation: Our Prophet ﷺ.

In that esteemed moment that marked the pinnacle of history, Sayyidah Aaminah رضی الله عنها gave birth to the purest and most beautiful baby boy as she witnessed a striking light that emanated from within her. A light with such velocity, that it radiated through the surrounding streets and homes, beyond the wider mountain passes of Makkah and charged thousands of miles in a single instant, all the way till it lit up the palaces of Busra and Shaam.

Behold! There entered into this world in most awe-inspiring manner the unlettered Prophet, Muhammad, Ahmad, Haamid, Mahmood, Qaasim, Aaqib, Faatih, Yaseen, Taha, Mujtaba, Mustafa, Habeebullah, Safiyyullah, Nabiyullah, Rasoolullah! Muhammad ibn Abdullah! Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam!

The Leader of the Prophets and Messengers, the greatest of the Arabs and Non-Arabs. The mercy to all of mankind, the defender of the weak and oppressed, the essence of beauty in creation. The seal of Prophethood and the conclusion of Truth.

He ﷺ graced this world as his mother gazed into his beautifully captivating eyes full of purity and light, as he ﷺ looked up to the heavens whilst raising his blessed index finger to proclaim the light of Tawheed, which he was sent to purify the world with.

And thus Allah سبحانه و تعالی illuminated this world with the light of His Greatest Servant and Messenger, Our Beloved Master Muhammad ﷺ!

قَدْ جَآءَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ نُورٌۭ وَكِتَـٰبٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

”There has come to you a light from Allah, and a clear Book” (Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:15)

The Date of His Blessed Birth

Year: 571 AD

Our Beloved Messenger of Allah Muhammad ﷺ was born into this world 571 years after the birth of Sayyidina Isa عليه سلام.

Month: Rabi’ Al-Awwal

Date: The most prominent and universally adopted opinion is the 12^th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal, whilst some of the most rigorously authenticated opinions include 8^th or 9^th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal.

Many Muhaditheen (scholars of hadeeth) and historians hold the opinion that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was born on the 8th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal. Some also report the miraculous birth occurred on the 9th

Day: Monday

Our Beloved Master Muhammad ﷺ was born on a Monday as mentioned in a Hadith on the authority of Sayyidinaa Abu Qatada RA, in which it was mentioned that the Beloved Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about the merits of fasting on Mondays, to which he ﷺ replied:

ذَاكَ يَوْمٌ وُلِدْتُ فِيهِ وَيَوْمٌ بُعِثْتُ

 “That is the day I was born, and the day I was sent.” (Sahih Muslim)

Sayyidah Aminah رضی الله عنهاs account of the blessed birth

عَن اسحاق بن عبد الله ان ام رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم قَالَت لما وَلدته خرج من فَرجي نور أَضَاء لَهُ قُصُور الشَّام فولدته نظيفا مَا بِهِ قذر

Ishaaq bin ‘Abdullah narrates from Sayyidah Aaminah رضي الله عنها: That when Rasulullah ﷺ was born, she saw a light emanating from within her that illuminated the palaces of Shaam, and he was born exceptionally clean and dirt-free. He did not have the normal effects of after-birth or any form of dirt on his blessed body ﷺ. (Ibn Sa’d)

سَمِعْتُ عُثْمَانَ بْنَ أَبِي الْعَاصِ، يَقُولُ: أَخْبَرَتْنِي أُمِّي، قَالَتْ: «شَهِدْتُ آمِنَةَ لَمَّا وَلَدَتْ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَلَمَّا ضَرَبَهَا الْمَخَاضُ نَظَرْتُ إِلَى النُّجُومِ تَدَلَّى، حَتَّى إِنِّي أَقُولُ لَتَقَعَنَّ عَلَيَّ، فَلَمَّا وَلَدَتْ، خَرَجَ مِنْهَا نُورٌ أَضَاءَ لَهُ الْبَيْتُ الَّذِي نَحْنُ فِيهِ وَالدَّارُ، فَمَا شَيْءٌ أَنْظُرُ إِلَيْهِ، إِلَّا نُورٌ»

In a narration from the mother of Sayyidina ‘Uthmaan bin Abul-‘Aas رضی الله عنه, Sayyidah Fatimah bint ‘Abdillah رضي الله عنها says: “During the blessed birth of Rasulullah ﷺ I was with his mother Aaminah رضي الله عنها. I clearly noticed the whole house radiating with Noor (brilliance) and I also saw the stars stooping so low down that I thought they would come crashing down onto me.”  (Tabarani)

Miraculous Events that occurred on the night of the Blessed Birth

Various miraculous events occurred on the night of the blessed birth, many of which have been narrated in the books Hadith and Seerah, such as:

• As our Beloved ﷺ came to this world an earth-tremor struck the palace of Kisra causing the fourteen towers of the palace to crumble.
• The fire that was perpetually blazing for over a thousand years in the Persian fire-temple abruptly extinguished itself.
• Lake Sawah also unexpectedly dried up.
• A beaming Light shone all over Arabia.
• All the idols shook around the Ka’bah.

(Bayhaqi, Ibn Hisham)

All these events coincided at the time when The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was born and showed the impact and greatness of Our Beloved Prophet ﷺ and message that was coming with his emergence.

A Poetic rendition of the Blessed Birth

The great scholar Al-Habib Umar ibn Al-Hafiz حفظه الله تعالى it beautifully illustrates the experiences of Sayyidah Aaminah  رضي الله عنها through poetic rendition in his Diyaa’ Al-Laami’:

وَحِيْنَمَا حَمَلَتْ بِهِ آمِنَةُ
لَمْ تَشْكُ شَيْئًا يَأْخُذُ النِّسْوَانَا

And When Aaminah رضي الله عنها was pregnant with him
She did not complain about anything that befalls (pregnant) women.

وَبِهَا أَحَاطَ الاُّطْفُ مِنْ رَبِّ السَّمَا
أَقْصى الْأَذَى وَالْهَمَّ وَالْأَحْزَانَا

For Gentleness from the lord of the Heavens encompassed her
And barred from her all harm, worry, and sadness.

وَرَأَتْ كَمَا قَدْ جَاءَ مَا عَلِمَتْ بِهِ
أَنَّ المُهَيْمِنَ شَرَّفَ الأَكْوَانَا

She saw (in a vision) as was narrated to us.
That the Guardian (Allah) was going to Honour the Creation.

بِالطُّهْرِ مَنْ فِيْ بَطْنِهَا فَاسْتَبْشَرَتْ
وَدَنَا المُخَاضُ فَأُتْرِعَتْ رِضْوَانَا

Through the pure one who was in her womb, so she Rejoiced!
And the time for labour drew near, so she was filled with pleasure!

May Allah make this a means of giving birth to the true love of His beloved Messenger Muhammad ﷺ in our hearts and lives and may He keep us firm upon the Sunnah of the Pure One. May He grace us with the Shafaa’ah (Intercession) of His Beloved ﷺ at every station until we reach Jannah together…

Join us tomorrow as we continue to journey through the Seerah with the next article “The Orphan Prophet ﷺ“