The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 132
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 132 eventually gave in due to the forceful persistence of Ḥalīmah ra , and also keeping in mind that the climate outside Makkah was far more beneficial than that therein. In those days, the climate of Makkah was much worse than usual, therefore, Āminah ra hesitantly agreed and Ḥalīmah ra happily returned home with Muḥammad sa. Subsequently Muḥammad sa remained with Ḥalīmah ra until he was approximately four years of age and grew up playing with the young children of the tribe Banū Sa‘d. The language of this tribe was very pure and eloquent in particular; thus, the young Muḥammad sa also learned this particular dialect. Ḥalīmah ra kept Muḥammad sa very dear to herself and all the people of this tribe looked upon the boy with special love and affection. However, when Muḥammad sa turned four, an incident occurred which frightened Ḥalīmah ra. Therefore, Ḥalīmah ra brought Muḥammad sa back to Makkah and handed him over to his mother. This incident is recorded that on one occasion, Muḥammad sa and his foster brother were playing together and no adult was present nearby. Suddenly, two men in white cloaks were seen and they took the young Muḥammad sa , lay him on the ground, and made an incision into his chest. Upon witnessing this sight, ‘ Abdullāh bin Ḥārith, the foster brother of Muḥammad sa hurriedly ran to his mother and father and informed them that, “My brother of the Quraish has been seized by two men who are cutting open his chest. ” Upon hearing this news, Ḥārith ra and Ḥalīmah ra ran to the place of the incident. They saw no men standing there but noticed that Muḥammad sa was standing, in a state of great fear and as a result, the colour of his face had changed significantly. Ḥalīmah ra moved forward and took the child into her arms and asked, “My dear son what has happened?” Muḥammad sa narrated the entire incident and said, “They were searching for something in my chest, which they eventually found and threw out”. 1 Then Ḥalīmah ra and Ḥārith ra took Muḥammad sa into their pavilion and Ḥārith ra said to Ḥalīmah ra , “I am afraid that something has happened to this child 2 , it is only appropriate that you immediately take him to Makkah and deliver him to his mother. ” Therefore, Ḥalīmah ra brought Muḥammad sa back to to Makkah and gave the child to his mother Āminah ra. Āminah ra inquired as to the early return, upon which Ḥalīmah ra narrated the entire story and expressed her fear that perhaps the child had been possessed by an evil spirit or demon. 1 Cease not to forget that Ḥalīmah ra and Ḥārith ra found no blood spilled at the place of this event neither did they find any other physical elements hinting towards the Shaqq-e-Ṣadr, nor could they find anything extracted from the heart of Muḥammad sa and thrown out. (Author) 2 In other words the child has been possessed by an evil spirit or demon. (Author)