The Message of Islam — Page 14
14 been contrived by the Holy Prophet saw on his own. At every stage and every step of his life, the hand of God was clearly visible as Protector, Guide and Helper. He was born an orphan, his father having died a few months before his birth. 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, brother of his father. Even at this early stage the Divine design is retrospectively perceptible that God Himself was his true Guardian. This is confirmed beyond question or cavil by the fact that though his childhood, boyhood and youth had been spent in the corrupt and debased society of Makkah, he arrived at his full maturity without the least suspicion of the slightest stain on his character. In later years, he was wont to say that before he received the Divine Call, he had little understand- ing of moral and spiritual values, yet Divine wisdom fully safe- guarded him against every kind of lapse. He never paid homage to an idol, never ate of anything presented as offering to an idol, never touched liquor, nor gambled, nor took part in any of the frivolous activities of his fellow youths. At one period of his youth, Muhammad saw was employed, like other young men of his age, in tending the sheep and goats of Makkah upon the neighbouring hills and valleys. On one occa- sion, when he was engaged in his duty in company with a lad of Quraish, he asked him to look after his flock also, so that he could go into Makkah and divert himself there as other youths were wont to divert themselves at night. But no sooner had he reached the precincts of the city than a marriage feast engaged his attention, and he soon fell asleep. On another similar occasion,