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CHILDHOOD OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W.A)
The Holy
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.A) was the son of Abdullah and Amina. His
father, Abdullah, passed away a few days before his birth. He was born
in the city of Mecca in Arabia. His forefathers were the chiefs of the
tribe of Quraysh.
It was
customary among the noble families of Quraysh that they entrusted their
new-born to country-women so that they might be brought up in the open
and healthy environments. According to this custom, therefore, the
mother of the Holy Prophet gave him into the care of Halima Sa'dia, a
lady belonging to the tribe of Banu Sa'd.
The Holy
Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.A) spent the first five years of his life with
Halima and then she returned him to his mother, Amina. His mother
brought him up with great love and devotion. When he was about six years
old, she took him to Madina for a few days. On her return journey,
however, she breathed her last on the way. After this his grandfather
Abd al-Muttalib took him into his care.
Abd al-Muttalib
loved his orphaned grandchild very much and was very kind to him.
However, he too, expired after two years.
Now the
Holy Prophet began to live with his uncle Abu Talib. Fatima, daughter of
Asad, who was the wife of Abu Talib loved Muhammad (S.A.W.A) as if he
were her own son. Abu Talib, too, was very good to him. When he
undertook a journey for the purpose of trade, he took his young nephew
along with him.
As
Muhammad (S.A.W.A) acquired, under the guidance of his uncle, fair
knowledge and experience of business, and was well spoken of by persons
who happened to come in touch with him, some traders engaged him as
their representative to conduct important business affairs on their
behalf. Muhammad (S.A.W.A) so successfully executed these trusts that
people were perfectly satisfied with his honesty. The people, therefore,
respected him very much and used to call him Sadiq (the truthful) and
Amin (the trustworthy).
From his
early childhood he never took part in idolatrous rituals and never told
a lie. He had excellent habits and an unimpeachable character.
Honesty
and truthfulness command respect and honor. |