An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 6
6 Cha pter 2 Birth of Muhammad Soon after the Year of the Elephant, Abdul Muttalib lost his young son Abdullah. His grief was great. Abdullah’s widow saw in a dream that a light had come out of her body and spread all over the world. She gave birth to a son six months after her husband’ s death. Abdul Muttalib was beside himself with joy. They named the boy Muhammad. First nurse Sawaiba suckled him. Later, he was turned over to nurse Halima. The child lived among Banu Hawazin, the tribe of Halima, until he was four years old. Halima was a poor woman. When she took the baby Muhammad to her home, the family’s luck suddenly changed. Halima loved Muhammad and Muhammad loved her. In later life he never forgot what he owed to his foster - mother. When Muhammad was six years old, his mother also di ed. Then his grandfather took him in his care. But Muhammad was hardly eight years of age when old Abdul Muttalib also passed away. Now Muhammad was looked after by Abu Talib, an elderly uncle. Muhammad was a quiet and well - behaved boy. His uncle loved him dearly. Muhammad was equally fond of the uncle. When Muhammad was twelve years old, Abu Talib made ready to go to Syria for trade. Muhammad wept so bitterly that Abu Talib was moved to take him along. Muhammad was a young man now and in trade. This took him to many places, to Syria, Yemen and Bahrin [Bahrain]. He