The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 153
IV - Early Life 153 requested the freedom of Zaid, thus that he may return home with them. Muḥammad sa responded, “Absolutely! If Zaid wishes to leave with your I delightedly give him permission to do so”. At this, Zaid was called upon and was asked by Muḥammad sa , “Zaid, Do you recognize these people?” “Yes,” responded Zaid, “they are my father and paternal uncle”. Muḥammad sa said, “They have come to take you. If you wish to leave with them, I gladly give you permission to do so. ” “I shall not leave you on any account,” answered Zaid, “to me, you are far dearer than my own uncle or father. ” Zaid’s father responded with great anger and grief, “What? Do you give preference to a life of slavery over that of freedom?” “Yes, ” responded Zaid, “for I have witnessed such virtues in him as now, I can give preference to none above him. ” When Muḥammad sa heard this response he immediately stood up and took Zaid to the Ka‘bah and announced in a loud voice, “O People! Remain witness that as of this day I free Zaid and make him my son. He shall be my heir and I shall be his. ” When Zaid’s uncle and father observed this sight, they were astounded. They happily left Zaid with Muḥammad sa. Since then, Zaid bin Ḥārithah became known as Zaid bin Muḥammad. 1 However, after the Ḥijrah , God revealed a commandment that it is unlawful to take an adopted child as an actual son. 2 Upon this, Zaid was once again given his original name, Zaid bin Ḥārithah. Nonetheless, the loving conduct of the ever-loyal Muḥammad sa remained unaltered with this ever-sincere servant, rather, it increased day after day. After the demise of Zaid, the Holy Prophet sa extended the same graciousness and love to his son Usāmah bin Zaid ra who was born of Ummi Aiman ra , a servant of the Prophet sa. In addition to the honourable distinctions of Zaid ra , one is that among all the companions of the Prophet sa , only his name is specifically mentioned in the Holy Qur’ān. 3 ‘ Alī bin Abī Ṭālib taken into the Care of Muḥammad sa Abū Ṭālib was a very respectable man. However, he suffered from poverty and his subsistence was only by grave hardship. Particularly, as a result of the drought in Makkah during those days, Abū Ṭālib was the victim of great suffering. When Muḥammad sa noticed the anguish of his paternal uncle 1 * Usdul-Ghābah, Volume 2, pp. 141-142, Zaidubnu Ḥārithah ra , Dārul-Fikr, Beirut (2003) * As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Malik bin Hishām, p. 188, Bābu Islāmi Zaidibni Ḥārithah ra Thāniyyan, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) 2 Al-Aḥzāb (33:5) 3 Al-Aḥzāb (33:38)