The Beloved Prophet of the Children

The Beloved Prophet of the Children: Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Came to This World

# Before Islam
Keywords: Fighting without a valid reason; burying baby girls alive; worshipping idols around the Kaaba; taking away orphans’ wealth; buying and selling slaves; Allah is Forbearing; Allah is Merciful.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in the city of Makkah, in Arabia.

But do you know what the people of Arabia were like before our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born?

The people of Arabia used to fight a lot. They would start wars for no good reason and shed one another’s blood.

When they had a baby boy, they would become very happy. They would celebrate his birth and perform ‘Aqiqah. But when they had a baby girl, they would become sad and their faces would turn dark with grief.

And do you know what some of them would do to baby girls?

They would dig a hole in the ground and bury the little girl alive!

How cruel and heartless they were, weren’t they?

They also made lots of idols and placed them around the Ka‘bah. They worshipped those idols and even performed Tawaf around the Ka‘bah without clothes.

How terrible their ways were!

Do you know what else they did?

They bought and sold people and kept them as slaves. Does it seem right for one human being to become another human being’s slave?

Of course not!

Orphans were not respected. Other people would take away the wealth that belonged to orphans. Women were not given their rightful share of wealth either. Their property would be taken away by others. Women were often mistreated.

In short, children and women had very little protection and security.

So, did Allah send storms, earthquakes, and terrible disasters to destroy all of them?

No, He did not.

Why?

Because Allah is Al-Haleem, the Most Forbearing. When someone does something wrong, Allah does not always punish them immediately.

Allah knew that these people did not have proper guidance. At that time, there was no Messenger among them and no revealed message teaching them clearly what was right and what was wrong. They simply followed Shaytan and their own desires.

And when people do wrong, Allah does not immediately punish them. Rather, Allah sends Messengers and reveals His Books. He gives people many opportunities to become better.

If they still refuse to change and continue in wrongdoing, then Allah may punish them.

Allah is Ar-Raheem and Ar-Rahman, the Most Merciful and the Most Compassionate.

So, out of His mercy, Allah decided to send a Messenger to the people of Arabia. Perhaps, by listening to this Messenger, they would become good people.

Do you know the name of that Messenger?

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ!

He was not only the Messenger of the Arabs. Period the Messenger of Allah for all people throughout the world.

And he was the final Prophet and Messenger. No prophet would come after him.

# Makki Period
# Keywords: Quraysh Tribe, Birth, Orphan, Wet Nurse, the Splitting of the Chest, Passing of the Mother, Passing of the Grandfather, Upbringing by His Uncle, Earning His Own Living, Cave of Hira, Revelation of the Qur’an, Prophethood, Praying Salah near the Kaaba, Muslims being hurt and tortured by the disbelievers and polytheists, Migration from Makkah to Madinah (Hijrah).

Then Allah sent our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from the noble Quraysh tribe, one of the most honored families of Makkah.

His father’s name was ‘Abdullah, and his mother’s name was Aminah.

But do you know something very sad?

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ never got to see his father. His father passed away before he was born.

So, he was born an orphan.

He never knew what it was like to receive love and care from his father. Perhaps that is one reason why he always loved and respected orphans so much.

At that time, babies born in Makkah were often sent to live with nursing families in the desert so that they could grow up in a healthy environment. The desert air was clean, the food was good, and the language was considered pure. Children could grow up strong and healthy there.

So, baby Muhammad ﷺ was also taken by a nursing mother named Halimah As-Sa‘diyyah.

Baby Muhammad ﷺ drank milk from Halimah As-Sa‘diyyah and grew up under her care.

That is why Halimah As-Sa‘diyyah was also like a mother to him.

And because baby Muhammad ﷺ came into their home, Allah blessed Halimah’s family with abundant blessings and provision.

When Muhammad ﷺ was about three years old, something amazing happened.

One day, little Muhammad ﷺ went out to play with his foster brothers and sisters.

Suddenly, two angels came to him in the form of men. They laid Muhammad ﷺ down and opened his chest. They took out his heart and cleansed it, removing what was described as the portion of Shaytan. Then they washed his heart and returned it to his chest.

This was one of the miracles Allah gave to His beloved Prophet ﷺ. This event is known as Shaqq As-Sadr, the splitting of the chest.

Because of this special purification, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was protected from the influence of Shaytan.

He was pure and righteous from childhood.

He was truthful. He did not worship idols. He treated people kindly and never wanted to hurt anyone. He helped people, gave charity, and fed others. He always loved doing good and stayed away from evil.

All the Prophets of Allah were protected from sin and wrongdoing.

When Muhammad ﷺ’s foster brothers and sisters saw what had happened, they became frightened. They ran to their mother, Halimah, and told her everything.

Halimah became worried too. She feared that something might happen to this precious child.

So, she decided to take Muhammad ﷺ back to his mother, Aminah, in Makkah.

When he was about six years old, something very sad happened.

His mother, Aminah, passed away.

Now Muhammad ﷺ had become a complete orphan.

But Allah did not leave him alone.

Allah placed great love for him in the heart of his grandfather, ‘Abdul-Muttalib. His grandfather cared for him with great love and affection.

But his grandfather did not live for very long either.

When Muhammad ﷺ was about eight years old, ‘Abdul-Muttalib also passed away.

Still, Allah did not forget His beloved Prophet ﷺ.

Allah placed a father-like love for Muhammad ﷺ in the heart of his uncle, Abu Talib.

So Muhammad ﷺ grew up under the loving care of his uncle Abu Talib.

As a young boy, he worked as a shepherd, looking after sheep.

Later, when he became a little older, he travelled with his uncle for business trips to Syria.

From a young age, he worked and earned his own living.

He was extremely trustworthy and honest.

People trusted him so much that they would leave their gold, jewelry, and belongings with him for safekeeping.

Everyone called him Al-Ameen, meaning the Trustworthy.

And so, forty years of his life passed.

But his heart was not at peace.

Why?

Because the people around him were still fighting. People were still burying baby girls alive. People were still worshipping idols around the Ka‘bah.

When Muhammad ﷺ saw all these things, his heart became deeply saddened.

He began thinking:

“How can these people become good?”

He began reflecting on who had created him and who had created the entire world.

He knew that the answer to all problems was with Allah.

So, he began going to the Cave of Hira, on Jabal An-Nur.

He would spend time there in worship and reflection, seeking Allah.

Then, one day, something extraordinary happened.

Allah sent the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) عليه السلام to Muhammad ﷺ with the first revelation of the Qur’an.

Jibreel عليه السلام came and told him that he was the Messenger of Allah and that he had been chosen as Allah’s final Prophet.

Do you know which verses Jibreel عليه السلام recited first?

The first five verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq:

“Iqra’ bismi rabbika…” — “Read in the name of your Lord…”

From that moment, Muhammad ﷺ began his mission as the Messenger of Allah.

He called the people and said:

“I am Allah’s Messenger. Listen to me and follow me. If you follow me, you will become good people and enter Jannah. But if you refuse to follow Allah’s guidance, Shaytan will lead you to Hellfire.”

Shaytan does not want good things for us. He wants people to follow him into Hellfire.

When the people heard the message of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, some of them accepted Islam and became Muslims.

Those who believed in the Prophet ﷺ, met him, and supported him are called Sahabah—the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ.

But many disbelievers and idol-worshippers refused to accept Islam.

They began to hurt the Muslims in many different ways.

When Muslims prayed near the Ka‘bah, the disbelievers would laugh at them.

When Muslims recited the Qur’an, they would shout loudly to disturb them.

Once, while Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was praying, the disbelievers placed filth on his back.

They would also beat and torture the Companions whenever they found them alone.

But Allah is Al-Haleem, the Most Forbearing.

So Allah did not immediately punish them.

Meanwhile, the Muslims could no longer live safely in Makkah because the persecution was becoming worse and worse.

So Allah gave the Muslims permission to migrate to Madinah, where there were people who would welcome and support them.

The Companions began migrating to Madinah in groups.

After they arrived, many people in Madinah listened to the Qur’an and accepted Islam.

But back in Makkah, something very sad happened.

Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ uncle Abu Talib passed away.

Now the Prophet ﷺ was even more alone and vulnerable.

And because many Muslims had already migrated to Madinah, there were fewer Muslims left in Makkah.

The disbelievers thought:

“Now we will kill Muhammad ﷺ!”

What a terrible plan!

But Allah knew everything they were planning because Allah is Al-Khabeer, the All-Aware.

Allah informed His Messenger ﷺ that the disbelievers were planning to kill him.

So Allah commanded him to migrate to Madinah.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ then left Makkah with his beloved companion Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه.

But before leaving, he asked his beloved companion ‘Ali رضي الله عنه to stay behind and return the belongings that people had entrusted to him.

Look at how trustworthy the Prophet ﷺ was!

Even when his life was in danger, he did not forget the belongings people had entrusted to him.

He was truly Al-Ameen.

The disbelievers came to the Prophet’s ﷺ house to kill him, but they found that he was not there.

They were disappointed and went away.

And once again, Allah protected His beloved Prophet ﷺ.

This teaches us that we should always ask Allah for help. If Allah protects us, no one can harm us except by His permission, inshaAllah.

#Madani Period
# Keywords: First Prayer at Masjid Quba, Building Masjid an-Nabawi, Establishing Friendship and Brotherhood between the Muhajireen and Ansar, Battle of Badr, Expelling the Jews from Madinah, Making Madinah more Secure and Safe, Conquest of Makkah and Victory of Islam, Forgiving the Remaining Disbelievers in Makkah.

When the Prophet ﷺ reached Madinah, do you know where he prayed first?

At Masjid Quba.

The people of Madinah were extremely happy to welcome the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

Later, the Prophet ﷺ built Masjid An-Nabawi in Madinah.

He also had his living quarters near the mosque. The area between his house and his pulpit is known as Ar-Rawdah, which the Prophet ﷺ described as one of the gardens of Paradise.

But the disbelievers of Makkah could not bear to see the Muslims living peacefully in Madinah.

They began making plans to attack the Muslims and destroy them.

Allah had given them a long time and many opportunities.

But now, after their continued persecution and aggression, Allah allowed the Muslims to defend themselves.

The Muslims of Makkah eventually migrated to Madinah.

Those Muslims who migrated from Makkah to Madinah are called Muhajirun.

And the Muslims who lived in Madinah and welcomed them are called Ansar.

The Prophet ﷺ made the Muhajirun and Ansar brothers.

The Ansar shared their homes, food, wealth, and everything they had with the Muhajirun.

The Muhajirun had left their homes and possessions behind for the sake of Allah and had come to Madinah with almost nothing.

So the Ansar welcomed them with love.

The Muslims lived together peacefully.

Then, by Allah’s command, the Battle of Badr took place.

The army of the Makkans came to fight the Muslims.

The Muslims from Madinah—both the Muhajirun and the Ansar—went out to face them.

The Prophet ﷺ fell into prostration and prayed to Allah, asking Him to help the Muslims and grant them victory.

Allah accepted his prayer.

Allah promised to help the Muslims with angels.

Because Allah is the One who answers prayers and the One who gives help.

The enemy asked who would begin the battle.

The Prophet ﷺ explained that the Muslims did not begin the fighting themselves.

Then the battle began.

Allah sent angels from the heavens to help the Muslims.

The Muslims were greatly helped by Allah, and the Muslim army achieved victory at Badr.

Do you know what Shaytan did when he saw the angels?

He had appeared to the disbelievers in the form of a man and encouraged them to fight.

But when he saw the angels, he said:

“I have nothing to do with you. I am leaving!”

Then he ran away.

The disbelievers were defeated, and Allah granted victory to the Muslims.

And remember something important: Islam teaches that women and children must not be deliberately targeted in war.

Look at what is happening to innocent women and children in Palestine today. Can the deliberate killing of innocent civilians be called a proper war?

No. Deliberately targeting innocent people is not the conduct of a just war; it is a terrible injustice and a grave crime.

After Badr, the Muslims returned to Madinah.

Allah continued revealing more verses of the Qur’an.

More and more people listened to the Qur’an and accepted Islam.

People began becoming better.

Madinah became a place of peace and brotherhood.

But there were also some people who secretly hated the Muslims and plotted against them.

They would pretend to be friends with the Muslims while secretly working against them and sharing information with the enemies.

Allah knew what was hidden inside their hearts because Allah is Al-Khabeer, the All-Aware.

Allah revealed their hypocrisy to His Messenger ﷺ.

Those who secretly rejected Islam while pretending to be Muslims were called Munafiqun, or hypocrites.

The Prophet ﷺ dealt with those who violated their agreements and threatened the safety of Madinah according to Allah’s guidance.

Madinah became safer and more secure.

But the Muhajirun were still missing their homes in Makkah.

They missed the Ka‘bah.

They missed making Tawaf around the Ka‘bah.

But they could not freely return to Makkah because the Makkans had prevented them from doing so.

Then Allah gave the Muslims the opportunity to return peacefully to Makkah for ‘Umrah.

The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions set out toward Makkah.

The people of Makkah became afraid and thought that the Muslims had come to fight them.

But was that really why the Prophet ﷺ had come?

No!

He had come to worship Allah and perform ‘Umrah.

The Prophet ﷺ did not want unnecessary fighting.

Eventually, after years of struggle, Allah granted the Muslims victory and Makkah was conquered.

When the Prophet ﷺ entered Makkah with the Muslims, he did not take revenge on the people who had tortured him and his Companions.

Instead, he forgave many of them.

What an amazing example of mercy and forgiveness!

# After Islam
# Keywords: More People Accepting Islam, Completion of the Revelation of the Qur’an, Spreading the Qur’an, Stopping the Practice of Burying Baby Girls Alive, Stopping Idol Worship, Stopping the Unjust Consumption of Others’ Wealth, Ending the Practice of Treating Human Beings as Property, Establishing Justice, Mercy, Kindness, and Brotherhood through the Teachings of the Qur’an.

After the conquest of Makkah, more and more people accepted Islam.

People began reciting the Qur’an and changing their lives.

They stopped burying baby girls alive.

They stopped worshipping idols.

They stopped consuming the wealth of others unjustly.

They stopped treating human beings as property.

They learned justice, mercy, kindness, and brotherhood from the Qur’an.

Look at how the Qur’an transformed people!

It changed a society filled with ignorance and injustice into a society guided by faith and righteousness.

But the Ansar of Madinah became worried.

They thought:

“Now that Makkah has been conquered, perhaps the Prophet ﷺ will stay here and never return to Madinah.”

The Prophet ﷺ comforted them and assured them that he would remain with them in Madinah.

So he returned to Madinah.

Eventually, the Prophet ﷺ completed the mission Allah had given him.

At the age of 63, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ passed away and returned to Allah.

He had completed his mission and delivered Allah’s message.

Now, after learning about all the difficulties and sacrifices our beloved Prophet ﷺ went through for us, what should we do?

We should:

Read the Qur’an more and more.
Follow the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ.
Love him and send abundant Salawat and Salam upon him.
Try to live our lives according to his Sunnah.

If we truly follow the Prophet ﷺ, we hope that Allah will allow us to be with him in Jannah, to see our beloved Messenger ﷺ there, and—by Allah’s mercy—to be blessed with seeing Allah in Paradise.

May Allah make us among those who truly love Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, follow his Sunnah, and are reunited with him in Jannah. Ameen.