2. The Birth of the Prophet of Islam
Muhammadopenedhiseyestotheworldonthe17thofRabī‘u’l-Awwal
inthe 53rd yearbeforethe hijrah (570AD). Hisfather,‘Abdullāh, was
fromthefamilyofProphetIsmā‘il,andhaddiedbeforehecouldseehis
son. His mother was one of the most pious women of that time.
MuhammadwasentrustedtoavirtuouswomancalledHalīmah,who
suckled him and nursed him.
Oneday,Muhammad(s.a.w.)whohadnotyetreachedtheageoffour
years,askedHalimahifhecouldgointothedesertwiththeotherboys.
Halimahsaid,“IbathedMuhammadandanointedhishairwithoil.Iput
collyriumonhiseyesandhungaYemenitestoneonastringandputit
roundhisnecksothatnoharmcouldcometohimfromthespiritsofthe
desert. ButMuhammad tore the stone from his neck andsaid, `Don't
worry about me. My God is taking care of me!'"
SoweseethatfromchildhoodhewasblessedwithGod'sfavourand
grace,andwasalwaysguided byDivinefriendship andhelpin works
that were in their right time and place.
Muhammad's behaviour and speech in childhood were such that
everyone'sattentionwasattracted.Inhisyouth,also,hewasfarfromall
theevildeedswhichtaintedthosepeopleinitsenvironment.Hetookno
partintheirriotouspoetrygatherings.Hedranknowine,wasanenemy
of the idols; he was perfect in his speech and behaviour.
Yearsbeforehebecameaprophet,thepeoplecalledhimas-Sādiq(the
truthful)andal-Amin(thetrustworthy).Hehadapuremindandradiant
intellect,andagodlyandheavenlycharacter.Everyyearforonemonth
hewenttothecaveofHira andwaswithGodinHismysteriesandin
prayers.Attheendofthemonth,beforereturningtohishome,hewent
to the Ka`bah and made seven or more circumambulations.