Q: Write about the life of Prophet (peace be upon him) up until the first revelation.

[10]
Ans: The Prophet (peace be upon him) was born to Aminah in Makkah on 12th Rabi-ul-Awal
570 AD, after of his father, Abdullah. He was named Muhammad by his grandfather. “I have
named Muhammad”, says Abdul Muttalib to his guests. “Why Muhammad?” they ask, “why not
a name from your own illustrious family?” “Because”, says Abdul Muttalib, affectionately
stroking a pair of chubby cheeks, “I hope that someday the name, which I have given him, will
prove great”.
There was a custom among the Arabs to give their suckling infants in charge of Bedouin
woman who had to return the children to their parents after few years. Prophet (peace be upon
him) was given in charge of Halima Sadia who belonged to the tribe of Banu Saad. Prophet
(peace be upon him) took pride in his pure Arabic dialect, he said “I am the most perfect Arab
amongst you, My dearest is of the Quraish and my tongue is of Banu Saad.
After six years, Halima Saadia returned prophet (peace be upon him) to Bibi Amina but she died
in 576 AD. Hence, Abdul Muttalib took the responsibility of prophet`s(peace be upon him)
upbringing which he did till his death in 578 AD. After him, Abu Talib, his uncle, took his
responsibility which he fulfilled till 619 AD. Abu Talib never let prophet (peace be upon him)
feel deprived of fatherly love and treated him as his own son. The Quran gives a brief description
on the early life of prophet pbuh, “(O Prophet), your Lord has neither forsaken you, nor is He
displeased. Indeed what is to come will be better for you than what has gone by. Verily your
Lord will soon give you so amply that you will be well-pleased. Did He not find you an orphan
and then gave you shelter? Did He not find you unaware of the Right Way, and then directed
you to it? And did He not find you in want, and then enriched you?” (93: 3-8) (Surah Ad-
Duhaa)
At the age of 12, in578 AD, prophet (peace be upon him ) accompanied with Abu Talib as a
trade journey to Syria, where they met a Christian monk, Bahira, recognized the signs of
Prophethood in Muhammad (peace be upon him). He said, “I can recognize him also by his seal
of prophethood in his shoulder like an apple.” Bahira told Abu Talib to take special care of his
nephew and keep him away from the vile acts of Jews.
Furthermore, a war broke out between all the tribes of Arabia, in the year 590 AD, called Harb-
ul- Fijar. Here prophet`s role did not intend more to picking up stray arrows and passing them to
his uncle, Abu Talib.
Later, in the years the elders of the Quraish set up an alliance, Half-ul-Fadul”, to protect the
oppressed due to the war between the Quraish and Hawazin tribes. Prophet (Peace be upon him)
was present at this alliance for which he said, “I was present with my uncles at the alliance of
the perfumed (Hilf al-Mutayyabin). I would not wish to break it, even for red camels." The
Prophet (S) is reported to have said: “… if I be invited to such a pact again I will surly take
part.”(Sirah Ibn Hisah, vol 1, p 141–142.
Furthermore, in his early life, the prophet (peace be upon him) was a shepherd. He said, “Allah
has not sent down a prophet who was not a shepherd, Musa was a shepherd, Dawud was also
a shepherd.” Later, in his life prophet (peace be upon him) chose trading as his profession. He

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was so honest that he was known as Al-Sadiq and Al-Ameen.Hazrat saas said, “I was the
business partner of prophet (peace be upon him), and I always find him very honest in his
dealings; he never picked quarrels nor made any false assumptions.”
Moreover, Khadija bint-e- Khwalid needed an honest person to take her merchandise to Syria.
Noble people of Makkah recommended his name to her. Her servant, Maisara, accompanied
prophet (peace be upon him) in the trade journey and on returned with huge profit and talked
very highly about Muhammad (peace be upon him). Hence, Hazrat Khadija got so impressed that
she proposed marriage to him, which he accepted after consulting Abu Talib in 595 AD. At the
time of marriage prophet (peace be upon him) was 25 years old while Hazrat Khadija was 40.
When the prophet (peace be upon him) was 35 year old the Quraish leaded to repair the damage
Kaaba. Dispute almost aroused at the division of performing arbitration of the black stone. It was
thus decided that the first person to enter Kaaba in the morning will do the arbitration of Hajar-
Al-Aswad (Black Stone). Luckily, it was the Prophet (peace be upon him) entered into the Kabba
first. He placed the stone on a sheet and asked all the leaders of tribes hold the corners of the
sheet to perform arbitration of the Black Stone.
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was 40 he began to experience of Prophet hood. He
would have visions which would because true after a time. He used to prefer solitude and
embraced meditation in the cave of Hira where he pondered over the condition of his people and
the vice. He formally received prophet hood in the cave of Hira in 610 AD.
Q: Role of Hazrat Khadija [4]
Ans: Hazrat Khadija supported prophet (peace be be upon him) morally and with her love. He
used to spend his time in seclusion for which Khadija`s maturity allowed. Moreover, she eased
his financial burden by serving her wealth to the Prophet (peace be upon him).She consoled him
after the experience of prophet hood when prophet was greatly shaken by the experience. She
said, “You have never done any wrong to anyone, you help the poor and help others. Allah
will never let you down”. Moreover, she also took him to Warqa bin Naufil , who told the
prophet(peace be upon him) about his proclamation of prophet hood.

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