The life of the Holy Prophet of Islam — Page 2
the transgressions, crimes and sins. The Holy Quran has drawn the picture of that era in the following words: Corruption has spread on the land and the sea because of what men’s hands has wrought, that He may make them taste the fruit of some of their doings, so that they may turn back from evil. (Holy Quran, 30:42) That was the time when the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was born in Mecca in AD 570. He was born an orphan, as his father died a few months before his birth. The name Muhammad (the praised one) was given by his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib. It was a long-established practice for the people of Mecca to leave their babies in the care of desert’s wet-nurses so that they were brought up brave, eloquent and in touch with the realities of desert life. So, for that purpose, the little baby was handed over to Halima, the wet nurse, and he spent five years with her. His mother died when he was about six years old, and his grandfather, who was his loving and devoted guardian, died when he was eight years old. He then passed into the care of his uncle, Abu Talib, the father of Hadrat Ali. This is confirmed beyond any doubt that his childhood and youth remained very pure and clean in the corrupt and debased society of Mecca. He lived in Mecca, among the idol worshipers, but he never paid homage to an idol, never ate of anything presented as offering to an idol. He never touched liquor, neither gambled, nor took part in any of the frivolous activities of his fellow youths. It is beyond the shadow of doubt that Almighty Allah fully safeguarded him against every kind of lapse. He arrived at his full maturity without the slightest stain on his character. HIS LOVE FOR GOD Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had great love for the Almighty God, and since his early age he was trying to establish his relation with him. This is why he used to spend lot of his time in praying and supplicating to God. He was not after material world; rather he was in search of his Creator. When he was about forty years old, it was his routine to take a very small quantity of food and water to a cave named Hira, near Mecca, and spend days in prayers and fasting, just to seek the pleasure of the Almighty God. And finally in such a situation he received the first revelation from God, through angel Gabriel. That was the first appearance of the angel to the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The angel said, “Read” and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “I cannot read. ” Again the angel said, “Read” and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) gave the same reply. Then for the third time the angel said: Read in the name of thy Lord who created. Created man from a clot of blood. (Holy Quran, 96:2-3) And the Prophet started reading. The Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was not a super being; he was a human chosen by God for the guidance of human beings. Almighty God has always sent the messengers from the people for their guidance, as the Holy Quran says: Say, “Had there been in the earth angels walking about in peace and quiet, We would have certainly sent down to them from heaven an angel as a Messenger. ” (Holy Quran, 17: 96) All the messengers are like other men but it is their relation with God and the revelation they receive from Him which makes the difference as God revealed to the Holy Prophet of Islam: Say, I am but a man like yourselves; but it is revealed to me that your God is One God. So let him who hopes to meet his Lord, do good deeds, and let him join no one in the worship of his Lord. (Holy Quran, 18:111)