Prophet Mohammad (PUH) Life Before Prophethood
Introduction
Trying to summarize the life and legacy of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in this short guide will not do him justice. We hope to dedicate a future guide entirely to him.
However, we will try give you a short peek into his life by focusing on the major phases throughout his biography. This will include the phase of his life before he became a Prophet, the 13 years he spent in Makkah, the 10 years he spent in Madinah, and the end of his life.
Life Before Prophethood
Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born during the year 570 according to the Gregorian calendar in the city of Makkah. He was an orphan as his father passed away before he was born.
When he was six years old he embarked on a journey with his mother Aminah to a different city called Madinah to visit his maternal uncles. On their way back to Makkah his mother passed away in a city known as al-Abwaa. Both of his parents were gone before his 7th birthday.
Soon afterwards his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib became his guardian. However, just a few short years later his grandfather also passed away when Muhammad (peace be upon him) was eight years old.
Before reaching the age of 10 his mother, father, and grandfather were no longer in his life. He was deprived of parental love at a very young age.
After their passing Muhammad (peace be upon him) was raised by his paternal uncle, Abu Talib. His uncle was a respected community leader in Makkah. Abu Talib became his new guardian, treated him with care, compassion, and helped him grow into a fine young man.
As Muhammad (peace be upon him) was growing into a young adult the community started to take notice of him. He built a good reputation for himself as he would tend sheep for the people of Makkah, safeguard their possessions, speak the truth, be reserved in his demeanor, and use sound judgement.
Well before prophethood he was the best of his people in character and in attitude. He was known for being generous, patient, truthful, and sincere. The people of Makkah admired his noble character and gave him the title al-Ameen (the trustworthy).
He later found employment with a successful merchant in Makkah by the name of Khadija. She had a reputation for being a savvy businessperson. He became one of Khadija’s agents and would travel on behalf of her to do business in Syria. Khadija was very impressed with his good character, honesty, and sincerity.
Khadija would eventually take an interest in him, and not long after the two would get married. Muhammad (peace be upon him) married Khadija at the age of 25.
Being Chosen as a Prophet of Allah
Muhammad (peace be upon him) received his first revelation while in a cave called Hira on the outskirts of Makkah. This cave was a place where he used to go to regularly for spiritual retreats and to perform worship. One day during one of his retreats in the year 610, at the time he was 40 years old, the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) suddenly appeared before him.
The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “I do not know how to read.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) added, “The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, ‘I do not know how to read.’ Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, ‘I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?’ Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said,
Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous
Qur’an Chapter 96, Verses 1-3
This event was the beginning of revelation, and it was also the moment Muhammad (peace be upon him) became a Prophet of Allah.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) left the cave and hurried home. His heart was pounding in fear of what he just experienced. He immediately went to his wife Khadija and explained what happened to him in the cave of Hira saying “I feared for myself”. After hearing this she calmed him down and said:
“By Allah, Allah will never forsake you, for you uphold the ties of kinship, help the weak, honour your guests, give in charity and help when someone is stricken with calamity.”
Khadija would become the first person to accept Islam.
Not long afterwards Khadija took Muhammad (peace be upon him) to go see her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal who was a Christian. When Waraqah was told the news of the incident in the cave of Hira he gave Muhammad an explanation. Waraqah told him that the angel he met was the same angel who Allah had sent to Musa (Moses) with revelation. Muhammad had now become a Prophet of Allah and like the Prophets of the past, it was his duty to guide the people to the truth. Waraqah told Muhammad to be patient because some of the people of Makkah would deny the message of Islam and persecute him.
