Youth and the first 40 years of Muhammad’s life.
“I have lived a lifetime among you before it”
(Quran 10:16)
The Events that Took Place Before the Assignment of Prophethood.
Here we retell some examples mentioned in trustable sources out of the many wondrous incidences that happened before and during the Prophet’s birth in relation to his coming to the world as well as events that took place before he was appointed as a prophet during his childhood and youth.
1) At the night when Muhammad was born, both his mother and those with her, the mother of Uthman Ibn As and the mother of Abdurrahman Ibn Awf, saw a great light about which they all said: “We saw such a light during his birth that this light illuminated for us the east and the west.”
2) That night, most of the idols in the Kaaba were turned over.
3) The famous palace of Chosroes, the king of Persia at that time, quaked and was damaged on the night the Prophet was born and its fourteen towers collapsed.
4) The Lake of Sawa, which was deemed holy by Zoroastrians, sank into the ground on the night the Prophet was born.
5) The fire that had been kept ablaze for a thousand years in Istahrabad and that was worshipped by Zoroastrians went out on the night of the Prophet’s birth.
As the events we have mentioned above point out, the person that had just come to the Earth (PBUH) would abolish fire worshipping, demolish the palace of the Persians, and forbid sanctifying things without Allah’s permission.
6) The famous event of the Elephant happened fifty-two days before the Prophet’s birth and was the reason for the revelation of the Chapter of Al-Fil in the Qur’an. In order to destroy the Kaabah, Abraha, the governor of Yemen, which was part of the Kingdom of Abyssinia, set out for Mecca with a great elephant called Mahmud at the front. When they got closer to Mecca, the elephant could no longer walk. They could not make it walk. Afterward, the birds of ‘Ababil rained stones on the army and swept them away. This event is well-known and it is elaborated in history books. It is one of the proofs of Muhammad’s prophethood (PBUH). This is because close to his birth, his beloved hometown, and the direction he turns to, the holy Kaaba in Mecca, was saved from Abraha’s destruction in a wondrous and miraculous way.
8)Furthermore, when he was en route for Damascus at the age of twelve, with Priest Bakhira’s words, he saw a patch of cloud make a shade for Allah’s Messenger and showed it to others in the caravan.
9)Again before the duty of prophethood was assigned, when Allah’s Messenger came back from business together with Khadijah’s servant Maysara, Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) saw two angels above the Prophet’s head making a shade like a cloud. She told it to Maysara, who replied: “I saw the same thing during the whole journey.”
10)Asis recounted in trustable sources, before the duty of prophethood was assigned, Allah’s Messenger once sat under a tree. Though the ground was dry and barren before he sat, it became green. The branches of the tree bent above his head and made him a shade.
11)After his mother’s death (SaiyidahAminah), Allah’s Messenger first stayed with his grandfather, and when his grandfather died, he started staying with his uncle Abu Talib. During meals, if Abu Talib and his children ate with the Prophet, they would be full up. Whenever he was absent in the meal, they would not be full. That event is both renowned and trustable.
12)Ummu Ayman, his nanny who looked after him in his childhood, said: “Never did Allah’s Messenger complain about hunger or thirst. Neither in his childhood nor when he was an adult…”
13) Starting from the time he went to her nursing mother Halima and during the time he stayed with her, her property and her goats’ milk increased much in contrast to the others in her tribe. Those events are also both well-known and there is no doubt about their truth.
14)Flies would not disturb the Prophet by perching on his blessed body or clothes. Furthermore, in some sources, it is stated that Sayyid Abdulqadir Gilani, coming from the Prophet’s descent, had the same quality of not being disturbed by flies.
15)After Allah’s Messenger honored the world, especially on the night of his birth, there was an increase in star-fallings. This is a sign that devils and jinn were forbidden to eavesdrop on the unknown in the heavens. As the Prophet came with revelation from Allah, surely it was necessary to block the flimsy news of the unknown given by oracles and jinn mixed with lies and fabrication so that no doubt would be cast on the revelation and what they told would not resemble it. Indeed, soothsaying was quite common before the prophethood was given. After the Qur’an was revealed, the Quran put an end to it. Furthermore, many oracles grasped belief, as their heralds among jinn could not carry out their duty after the Qur’an was revealed, and thus the oracles had no source anymore.
In conclusion: Before his prophethood, there were many events that attested to the cause of Allah’s Messenger and that showed that he would be the Prophet. Such a person as him, would
spiritually lead the world [18],
change the spiritual shape of the world,
make the world a field for the hereafter,
proclaim the values of the world’s creatures,
guide the jinn and humanity to eternal bliss,
save the mortals by explaining the true nature of death which appears to be an eternal death sentence,
solve the mysteries intriguing the whole of humanity by expounding the wisdom behind the creation of the world,
know and get others to know the aims of the Creator of the Universe, and by knowing that Creator, make Him known by others.
Obviously, even before such a person came to the world, everything, every sort of creature and living being would look forward to his coming, yearn to welcome him, applaud his coming and let others know if their Creator informs them. As is seen in the examples given above and in other sections, every kind of creature shows his miracles in the best fashion and attests to his cause of prophethood with the tongues of miracles.
A notable circumstance touching the youth time of Rasulullah ﷺ is to be found in the fact that although his guardians soon took the utmost care in his upbringing, the question of education passed over entirely. These are no fault of theirs and they cannot be blamed for it. For it was not the custom in those days among those people to educate one’s children.
Especially these are true within the upper class. The Quraish for example regarded reading and writing as tasks for menials only. It was, therefore, a great wonder to the world when it came to realize later the enormous depth of learning, scholarship, and philosophy to which Rasulullah ﷺ had obtained. According to the custom of the day, Rasulullah ﷺ learned the business and visited all places with which Arabs had business relations.
Even at an early age his integrity and truthfulness won him fame in Makkah and soon earned the title “Al Amin” (The Trustworthy). Anyone who had dealings with him in any connection always spoke of him with praise and respect. It is said that once when the Sacred House of Makkah was to be reconstructed, the Quraish undertook to do the work, but presently a dispute arose as to who should be given the privilege of laying the “Black Stone” (Hajar Aswad).
Probably his could have ended in an inter-tribal feud and general bloodshed – such being the spirit of the age- had not an old man advised them to refer the whole matter to an arbitrator. Whoever, he said should be the first to enter or appear at the Kaabah, the next day should act as a judge and settle the dispute. This was agreed to, and on the morrow and through the satisfaction of all it was Muhammad who was the first to appear and all welcomed him with one voice, exclaiming, “Here is the trustworthy: “Here is the trustworthy!! Here is the trustworthy!!. Muhammad's (Rasulullah ﷺ) great tact and understanding of the situation soon settled the dispute and all ended peacefully.
In appearance, Muhammad was pleasant yet imposing. He was of
medium height and build. He had a large head and a round face, and his forehead was
broad. He has dark eyes and is full of light with long lashes. His beard was dark
and thick and his body with the fair in color. His whole appearance was comely and
attractive. His bearing was dignified and his manners charming. So charming
that he won the hearts of all with whom he came in contact. Visitors were
always impressed by his personal charm. Everyone loved and admired him because
of these sterling personal qualities.
The world says, Religion and morality the major essence of
purity of life may not be within the duration of a youthful age. Where being
youthful fulfill the urge towards all form of vices and diversion from the real
purpose of life. But, Rasulullah ﷺ the best of creation of Allah, having the
strongest character is he who shall pass an unimpeachable and crystal life
even amid the temptations and follies of youth.
A just man bows his head in reverence when he studies the youth of Rasulullah ﷺ. His youth was perfect, sinless, and shining. I do not think any other such example can be found in the annals of the world. Fourteen hundred years ago, during the youth of Rasulullah ﷺ, ignorance and crime were in Arabia as righteousness and peace elsewhere. The people were debauchees and adulterers. Prostitution was the fashion of the day. Rape, seduction, and fornication were common while wine was the ordinary drink of the people.
There were brothels and bars without numbers. For the Arabs were a proud race, proud even with sins. Boasting that they led immoral and shameful lives. In such surroundings and amongst such people to keep one’s youth pure and perfect is an achievement a little short of miraculous. Every day of his youth of Muhammad is displayed before the world in much detail as are the latter days of his life.
There is
no one, even his greatest enemy, who can say that the youth of Muhammad was not
good and pure. He kept himself aloof from all undesirable people and functions;
he had very few friends, being of a reserved and contemplative nature. Few followed his teachings and later on became Muslim. While other young men spent
their youthful age in vices. Muhammad is seeking only ways and means to save Arabia from the pitiable state into which it had fallen.
When Muhammad was twenty-five years of age, a rich widow Khadijah by name entrusted him with the management of her business. Muhammad(Rasulullah ﷺ) is known for his honesty in managing any business dealing entrusted to him. Khadijah begged him to marry her. Muhammad (Rasulullah ﷺ) did not give her any immediate answer but first went to his uncle Abu Talib to obtain his consent. Muhammad was given consent by his beloved uncle.
When Muhammad married her he was, has been said a twenty-five years man and she was forty years of age. The marriage is indeed a happy union, being blessed with four daughters and a son. Khadijah was a great help and comfort to Muhammad. Muhammad's (Rasulullah ﷺ) devotion to her with true love and sincerity; where she willingly shares her wealth for charitable activity.
At the time of his call for prophethood, he was very depressed
and weighed down with responsibility, fearing that he would not be able to
fulfill the task. A task that is very significant to change the whole beings of
the universe to only worship Allah the one and only god. Khadijah cheered him with such words as:
“God will never let thee
see the humiliation of failures …” and the like.
All who came in contact with Rasulullah ﷺ were devoted to his call; Rasulullah ﷺ showed great kindness and sympathy to the poor and helpless. He showed his kindness to the orphans and widows. Always do his utmost to help them. The slaves loved him and would rather remain to be a slave to him, rather be freed. Muhammad was kind and loving to all. He abhorred fighting and bloodshed. At the “Battle of “Fijar”, he did nothing more than help his uncle by supplying him with arrows from time to time. From his very childhood, he detested idol-worshipping. During his youth, he often when to the cave “Hira” and prayed for hours to God to pity the fallen state of the Arabs and show them the way to the right path.
Muhammad (Rasulullah ﷺ) was forty years of age when the messenger of Allah SWT came to him to reveal the Word of Allah SWT and announce that he was the chosen Prophet of Allah SWT.
