The Early Life and Childhood of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ – A Blessed Beginning

 The Blessed Childhood of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ under Halima al-Sa‘diyyah

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After Halima al-Sa‘diyyah took the blessed child Muhammad ﷺ into her care, her weak and frail camel suddenly became the fastest among the caravan. This astonished the other women, for they had never seen such a transformation. Truly, it was a clear sign of divine blessing.

Halima belonged to the tribe of Banu Sa‘d, and her husband’s name was Harith ibn ‘Abd al-‘Uzza. The Prophet ﷺ thus had foster brothers and sisters in that household. From the day he entered their home, Allah filled it with endless barakah.

Blessings in the Household

Halima herself narrates:

• Before receiving Muhammad ﷺ, her own child cried from hunger, as her milk was insufficient.
• Their old donkey was weak and slow.
• Their she-camel produced no milk.

But once she carried the Prophet ﷺ home, her milk became abundant. Both the Prophet ﷺ and her son nursed to their fill and slept peacefully. That night, her husband went to the camel and found its udders overflowing with milk. They filled all their vessels and drank to their satisfaction.

Even their goats, previously lean and dry, returned from grazing with full udders while others’ animals remained barren during the famine.

Thus, the family of Halima was showered with blessings as long as the Prophet ﷺ lived with them.

Return to His Mother

When the period of fosterage ended, Halima brought the Prophet ﷺ back to Makkah and returned him to his mother, Amina (RA). But because she had witnessed so many blessings, she requested to keep him longer. Amina agreed, fearing the illness that often spread in Makkah.

The Prophet ﷺ thus remained with Halima until about the age of four.

The Incident of the Chest Opening

During this time, a miraculous event occurred. One day while playing with other children, Angel Jibreel (AS) came, laid him down, split open his chest, and removed a small clot, saying: “This is the portion of Shaytan within you.” Then his heart was washed in a basin of Zamzam water, filled with light, and restored.

The children, frightened, ran to Halima crying that Muhammad ﷺ had been harmed. They rushed to him and found him unharmed, but his face pale. Anas ibn Malik (RA) later said: “I used to see the scar of that stitching on the Prophet’s chest.”

Fearing for his safety, Halima and her husband returned him to his mother in Makkah.

Life as an Orphan

The Prophet ﷺ then grew under the care of his mother Amina (RA). She once took him to Madinah to visit the grave of his father Abdullah. On the return journey she fell ill and passed away at a place called Abwa.She was buried there and the Prophet ﷺ was left an orphan at the age of six.

His grandfather Abdul Muttalib, then took custody of him and treated him with deep love and honor seating him on his own mat and embracing him with affection. However, when the Prophet ﷺ was eight years old, Abdul Muttalib also passed away.

Thereafter, his uncle Abu Talib assumed guardianship. Though not wealthy, Allah placed blessings in his provisions after caring for the Prophet ﷺ.

Youthful Years: The Trustworthy One

During his youth, Muhammad ﷺ accompanied Abu Talib on a trade caravan to Syria. On this journey, a Christian monk named Bahira recognized the signs of prophethood upon him and advised Abu Talib to protect him from the Jews, who might harbor envy.

At fifteen, he witnessed the battle of Fijar, fought during the sacred months. Though he did not fight, he helped his uncles by collecting arrows.

Later, he took part in the noble alliance known as Hilf al-Fudul, an oath taken by several Quraysh tribes to defend the oppressed and uphold justice. The Prophet ﷺ valued this pact highly and said even after Prophethood: “If I were invited to it again in Islam, I would surely join.”

Shepherding and Trade

In his early youth, like other Prophets, Muhammad ﷺ worked as a shepherd for a small wage. This was a means of training in patience and responsibility. Later he engaged in trade and became famous for his honesty and integrity. People began calling him Al-Amin.

Marriage to Khadijah (RA)

His reputation reached Lady Khadijah (RA) a wealthy and noble merchant. She entrusted him with her trade caravan to Syria. With her servant Maysarah he conducted business with great honesty returning with unprecedented profit.

Impressed by his character Khadijah (RA) proposed marriage through her confidante.At the age of 25, Muhammad ﷺ married Khadijah (RA) who was 40.This blessed marriage marked the beginning of a new phase of his noble life.

Conclusion

From his miraculous childhood with Halima al-Sadiyyah through his years as an orphan shepherd and honest trader Allah prepared Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for the greatest mission to be the Messenger of Allah and Mercy to the worlds.

For more article -- SSK BLOG

The next stage of his life would witness the descent of Revelation and the beginning of Prophethood a turning point not only for Arabia but for the entire humanity.