Birth, family and the first revelation

Last time

Before we start: last time, in The Qur’an and Hadiths as sources of Islamic law, you learned these points. Here they are again on one card. Keep them in mind, because today builds on them.

The orphan who became the Messenger

The Prophet, peace be upon him, was born into a Makkan family and was soon without a father. Over forty years he was raised by his mother, his foster mother, his grandfather and his uncle. Every one of those people is a possible exam answer, and each shaped his character before the night in the cave of Hira.

Birth and childhood

The Prophet was born in the year of the elephant. His parents were Amina and Abdullah. As was the custom of the time, he was sent to the desert with a wet nurse. Halima Sa'adia said they had good fortune with his arrival, and asked that he stay another two years. During this time the angel came to clean his heart while he played with his friends. His mother died when he was six, on the way back from visiting family in Yathrib. His grandfather Abdul Muttalib looked after him, and when he died the Prophet, aged eight, came under the care of his uncle Abu Talib.

Youth and trust

Abu Talib took him on trade journeys. On one, Bahira the monk saw him and told Abu Talib he had a great future, and told him to take him back to Makka. He picked up arrows in the sacrilegious wars, and was present at the Fudul confederacy to protect fair transactions. He was known for his honesty, and Khadija employed him on a trade journey to Syria. She sent a marriage proposal, and they had six children. He also helped settle the matter of fixing the black stone. Then he spent longer periods in the cave of Hira.