Page 13 - World Religions I - Islam

 Muhammad's father, Abdullah, died nearly six months before he was born. Muhammad's lineage is
supposedly linked to that of Ishmael, the son of Abraham. As a result of his father's early death,
Muhammad's family had little financial means and substance.2 While still an infant, Muhammad
became the ward of his grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib. History records Abd al-Muttalib as having high
standing within the Meccan community. Early biographies claim that it was Abd al-Muttalib who dug
the well of Zamzam, the alleged well of Ishmael, the son of Abraham, and the central well of Mecca
which later shared in the prestige of the holy sanctuary.109 As was the custom in Mecca, he was
entrusted to a Bedouin foster mother, a woman name Halimah, to be raised in the desert.
o There are a series of fanciful traditions concerning Muhammad's birth and early years that include:
 Before he was born, when his mother would go to a well to draw water, the water would rise up for her in
honor of Muhammad.
 Some traditions report that he was born circumcised.
 His wet nurse's land became fertile, her lambs strong and rich in milk, and her family became rich
because of her care for Muhammad.3
 Traditions and early biographies assert that two angels came to Muhammad as an infant, cut open his
chest, and washed a dark spot from his heart.4 Traditions record that this process removed "the part of Satan"
in Muhammad. 120 Traditions also record that a similar event took place again in Mecca just before Isra',
Muhammad's ascent to heaven.121
 During Muhammad's adolescence, the stones used to salute him, and the trees would turn to shade
him from the sun. Despite being regarded as a "Christian" monk, Bahirah is also recorded as adjuring
Muhammad in the names of al Lat and al-Uzza, goddesses worshipped in the Arabian peninsula.110
o These events were allegedly witnessed in Syria by the Christian monk Bahirah, who recognized them as signs of
Muhammad's coming prophethood.5 Between the ages of three to five, Muhammad was returned to his mother,
Amina bint Wahb.
 His mother died when Muhammad was six years old.6
o His grandfather and ward, Abd al-Muttalib, died when Muhammad was eight years old.
• When Muhammad was eight years old, Abd al-Muttalib died and an uncle, Abu Talib, became his guardian.
o As a youth, he joined his uncle as a trader, went on caravans and participated in business matters.7
 He is recorded as being known for his honesty, and was traditionally known by his peers as al-Amin ("The
Trustworthy") or is-Sadiq ("The Truthful [One]").8
• At the age of 25, Muhammad married Khadijah, a wealthy widow 40 years of age, whose caravans Muhammad
had in his charge. Tradition states that Khadijah proposed marriage to Muhammad, which he accepted. 111
Women later lost the privilege of proposing marriage under Islam.
o Khadijah bore him two sons who died in infancy, and four daughters.
 Muhammad remained monogamous to Khadijah throughout her lifetime. The Qur'an limits the number
of wives for believers to three or four 112, although special provision is stated in the Qur'an allowing
Muhammad to exceed the limit.113 Further information can be found in Appendix F: The Wives of
Muhammad. After she died, Muhammad began taking other wives. In the span of 10 years Muhammad
had 11 wives.
 The wives of Muhammad are recognized in the Qur'an as the "Mothers of the Believers."

A Spiritual Seeker
• Early traditions record Muhammad as being a spiritual seeker.
o Throughout his early life, Muhammad followed in the idolatrous practices of his people.
 The following tradition was recorded by famous Islamic biographer, Ibn Ishaq:
• "I was told that the apostle of Allah said, as he was talking about Zayd son of 'Amr son of
Nufayl, 'He was the first to upbraid me for idolatry and forbade me to worship idols. I had

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