The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 139
IV - Early Life 139 to travel to Syria with a mercantile caravan. Since the travel was long and difficult, Abū Ṭālib decided to leave Muḥammad sa behind in Makkah. However, for young Muḥammad sa the thought of separation from Abū Ṭālib was far too difficult to bear. Therefore, at the time of departure, due to his emotions of love, the child clung to Abū Ṭālib and began to weep. When Abū Ṭālib witnessed this he was moved and decided to take the young Muḥammad sa along. To the south of Syria there is a very well known place called Buṣrā, where a very strange incident took place. There resided a Christian Monk by the name of Baḥīrā. When the caravan of the Quraish passed by this monk’s holy abode, he witnessed all the rocks and plants have fallen into prostration simultaneously. In the light and spirit of divine scriptures, he was aware that a prophet was to be raised and due to his deep insight, he concluded that this very prophet was present in the caravan. Hence, he was able to recognize Muḥammad sa. The Monk informed Abū Ṭālib of this fact and advised him to protect the young Muḥammad sa from the evil designs of the Ahl-e-Kitāb. 1 In the spirit of ‘Ilm-e-Riwāyat , this particular narration is rather weak. However, if such an instance did in fact occur it should not be the cause of bewilderment. If this occurrence did in fact occur, the prostration of trees would be considered a divinely inspired sight of the monk, which is not unusual in relation to the stature of the Holy Prophet sa. Has Islām been influenced by Christianity? At this point it is necessary to mention that Sir William Muir, along with various other non-Muslim historians, has utilised the incident of Baḥīrā the Monk and various other occurrences in which Muḥammad sa met Christians prior to prophethood, in order to falsely conclude that the Holy Prophet’s sa claim to prophethood was as a result of the direct influence of Christianity and his teachings have also been attributed to this influence. However, this notion is completely false and is contrary to reality. Anyone who possesses even little knowledge of the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet sa , and his eyes are not shrouded by the veil of prejudice, cannot be taken in by such allegations. It is definitely true that every sensible human being analyses his surroundings in accordance with his capacities. Therefore, it is quite natural to acquire a good or bad impression of one’s environment in its virtue and vice. Nonetheless, prior to his prophethood, the Holy Prophet sa perhaps came across Christianity 1 People of the Book (Publishers)