An outline of
Early Islamic History
by N. R. A. G. Soofi
Chapter 2
Soon after the Year of the Elephant, Abdul Muttalib lost his young son Abdullah.
His grief was great. Abdullah's widow saw in a dream that a light had come
out of her body and spread all over the world. She gave birth to a son six
months after her husband's death. Abdul Muttalib was beside himself with
joy. They named the boy Muhammad. First nurse Sawaiba suckled him. Later,
he was turned over to nurse Halima. The child lived among Banu Hawazin,
the tribe of Halima, until he was four years old. Halima was a poor woman.
When she took the baby Muhammad to her home, the family's luck suddenly
changed. Halima loved Muhammad and Muhammad loved her. In later life he
never forgot what he owed to his foster-mother. When Muhammad was six years
old, his mother also died. Then his grandfather took him in his care. But
Muhammad was hardly eight years of age when old Abdul Muttalib also passed
away. Now Muhammad was looked after by Abu Talib, an elderly uncle. Muhammad
was a quiet and well-behaved boy. His uncle loved him dearly. Muhammad was
equally fond of the uncle. When Muhammad was twelve years old, Abu Talib
made ready to go to Syria for trade. Muhammad wept so bitterly that Abu
Talib was moved to take him along.
Muhammad was a young man now and in trade. This took him to many places,
to Syria, Yemen and Bahrin [Bahrain]. He was honest and straight-forward
in his dealings. The people of Mecca called him the "truthful"
and "the trusty". Muhammad worked for a good lady name Khadija.
She was a widow. Muhammad worked hard, was upright and intelligent. There
was much profit every time he went out to sell her merchandise. The lady
Khadija later offered her hand in marriage to Muhammad. She gave birth
to seven children, three boys and four girls. All died early except the
renowned daughter Fatima.
When Muhammad was over thirty, a dispute arose among the Quresh. The House
of God (the Kaaba) was being re-built. First the work went on smoothly.
But when time came for the sacred Black stone to be put in its place, everyone
wanted to have the honour for himself and his family. They were ready to
fight and kill. They work had to be stopped. But it could not be stopped
indefinitely. One day they assembled at the site and agreed to make their
judge the man who should be the first to come to the Holy House next morning.
They waited. Then they saw Muhammad coming. They cried with one voice,
"Here comes the Truthful, the Trusted."
They made him the judge. Muhammad spread out his sheet. He placed the Black
Stone in it. He then asked the heads of the assembled tribes to hold the
corners of the sheet and raise it. They did as told. Then taking the stone
in his hands, he put it in position. The matter ended happily.
Muhammad was well-to-do now, but Abu Talib was poor. Muhammad wanted
to help his good uncle. He took his young cousin Ali home. Another uncle
Abbas took Jafar the younger brother of Ali under his care. Muhammad had
very gentle ways with the people of his town though he did not mix much
with them. He had a few intimate friends. One was Abu Bakr, the other
was Hakim bin Hizam. Both were men of good habits and respected for their
integrity. Muhammad was given very much to prayer and meditation. He would
very often retire to a cave in a hill outside the town, staying there
for days.
[ Early Islamic History ]