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7 important aspects of the early life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Makkah

7 important aspects of the early life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Makkah
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December 28, 2024
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I would like to outline seven aspects of the life of Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Makkah that shaped his personality and prepared him for the responsibility he would carry as Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him).

1. Lineage

Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born of the noblest lineage. Quraysh was considered the most honoured tribe, and within that, Banu Hashim was the most distinguished. Therefore, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was descended from the best of the best. Why is this important when Islam does not rely on one’s lineage or family connections to establish one’s worth? His noble background meant that he was able to have more impact on people when spreading the message, because his tribe was already well respected and authoritative in Makkah. In fact, it is noteworthy that all the messengers were descended from the best of lineages, as this gave them a position of dignity and credibility when they spread the message. There is a difference between how a message is received when it is delivered by a person from a disadvantaged area compared to on one from a prestigious neighbourhood.

Even in our time, people of honourable descent are regarded more highly by society. Compare an event which King Charles is to attend. There would be a surge in the numbers of attendees as so many people would want to be there. Without any advertisement, the hall would be packed out and bursting at the seams. We can understand this in a day and age of influencers, Therefore the one who has a prestigious family as well as decency and good character will have a stronger pull.

Indeed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was a Real Influencer – not just a superficial celebrity who had created hype around his persona, with masks and soundbites to attain likes. He was genuine.

In the oft recounted encounter between Abu Sufyan and Heraclius, the Byzantine Emperor, which is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari. Abu Sufyan, who was not yet a Muslim at the time, was summoned to answer questions about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Heraclius began by asking his translator to inquire about the Prophet’s lineage. Abu Sufyan replied, “He belongs to a noble family amongst us.”

Heraclius then instructed his translator to convey, “I asked you about his lineage, and your reply was that he belonged to a noble family. In fact, all the apostles came from the noblest lineage of their nations.”  

2. Orphan

Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an orphan from early on. He lost his father while his mother was two months pregnant. He lost his mother at six years old and his grandfather, Abdul Mutalib, when he was eight. As he experienced a series of losses at an early age, it made him more empathetic to the feelings of orphans and the poor. When you lose the breadwinner of the family, it makes you poor. This is the reason why the nursing mothers from Banu Sa’d rejected him, because they assumed an orphan would not be affluent.

This early exposure to hardship meant he felt a genuine connection to the struggles of vulnerable people in society. The Prophet (peace be upon him) could feel their pain, in contrast to wealthy MPs from privileged backgrounds in our time, who lecture poor people and claim they feel their plight when they never experienced it. A leader who has experienced pain is far better equipped to the role. Allah wanted His messenger to be able to relate to the disadvantaged in society.

3. Banu Sa’d

Just as people today send their children to boarding schools to ensure they receive a good education and grow up in a beneficial environment, people during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) would send their babies to the desert during their formative years. The primary reason for this was the purity of the language spoken in the desert. Unlike the cities, where the constant influx of people led to a mixing of dialects, the desert offered an environment where the Arabic language remained untainted and eloquent.

This is why, later in life, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke, his upbringing among the Banu Sa’d was evident in his refined accent and eloquent style of speaking. He spoke with the best and purest form of the Arabic language. Allah had prepared him for his role in every way. The food he consumed during his time in the desert was of good quality, the air was clean and fresh, and the environment allowed him to grow healthy and strong.

The purity and wholesome nature of his early years not only contributed to his physical well-being but also provided him with clarity of mind. These formative experiences shaped his character and abilities, leaving a lasting impact that he carried with him throughout his life. Whatever you experience during your foundational years significantly influences the person you become.

4. Shepherd and trader

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) worked as a shepherd in his youth, and this experience is significant. It taught him responsibility, patience, and the ability to care for others. Shepherding required constant vigilance, decision-making, and accountability, as the safety and well-being of the flock depend entirely on the shepherd. 

Interestingly, various research papers suggest that individuals who achieve success in life are often those who were entrusted with responsibility from an early age. In contrast, those who are overly pampered as children often lack the resilience and practical skills needed to navigate challenges effectively. This early exposure to responsibility helped shape the Prophet’s character, inculcating qualities such as discipline, compassion, and dependability—traits that later played a critical role in his mission as a leader and guide for humanity.

Pampering children, out of love, is actually detrimental to their development. The opposite approach—instilling responsibility, discipline, and self-reliance—is far more beneficial. When children are entrusted with meaningful tasks and are taught to manage their own affairs, they grow into capable, confident individuals better equipped to navigate the complexities of life.

All prophets spent a portion of their lives as shepherds as preparation for their future roles. If we were to spend a day with a shepherd, we would learn many life lessons. Experiencing it firsthand you gain a flavour of how calm and gentle shepherds are, and how hard they work to nurture their flock.

Later the Prophet (peace be upon him) became a trader and he experienced buying and selling and learned how to bargain. Through this, he came to work for Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her). Otherwise, she may never have considered him as a potential husband, but through this connection she came to find out about his exceptional character. Allah’s plans are beyond our comprehension. This sequence of events demonstrates that Allah’s plans carefully prepared the Prophet (peace be upon him) for his great mission and forged the relationships essential to its success. It also teaches us that we should do our best, and leave the rest to Allah.

In Makkah, trade was a cornerstone of the economy, and it consisted of two types: large-scale businesses and smaller, emerging traders. The big businesses were run by experienced and shrewd merchants who dominated the market, often leveraging their wealth and influence to maximise profits. They operated on a grand scale, dealing in goods from major trade routes that connected Makkah to surrounding regions.

On the other hand, the smaller traders were beginners, often learning the ropes of commerce and trying to establish themselves. These traders typically engaged in modest transactions, as we have corner shops in our time.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was engaged in both types of trade. He was very intelligent and wise. In addition, he had integrity and this made him shine. When he began to work for Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) he doubled her money. She sent her servant to keep an eye on him and her servant was so impressed, he came back and told her about his honesty and the respect and trust he had earned from his suppliers and customers.

Today, we talk about transparency in business and emphasise its importance in building trust and reputation. However, over 1,400 years ago, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified this in his business dealings, long before it became a recognised part of business.

As a trader, he conducted his transactions with utmost honesty, clarity, and fairness. He never engaged in deceit, misrepresentation, or exploitation, even when such practices were common among others. His transparency earned him the title “Al-Ameen” (The Trustworthy) and made him a respected figure in the marketplace.

In addition, he was travelling to conduct business and this meant he was exposed to many different people, cultures and customs. This is helpful when you are a leader.

5. Moral

From his childhood Muhammad (peace be upon him) never engaged in frivolity or immorality. Children like to mess about and often succumb to peer pressure. However, though he once accompanied other youths at the time to a musical party, he fell asleep and missed it. And although it was common for children working outdoors to remove their clothes for convenience, he never did, always maintaining his dignity and modesty even from a young age. Thus his youth was one of purity. The one who had engaged in immorality as a child and repented later is not on par with the one who never sullied his record.

6. Steadfast (mustaqeem)

Even before receiving the message, Muhammad (peace be upon him) had the best character. To be a righteous leader you need intelligence and good character. He was the best of Allah’s creation in his character and the brightest mind.

7. Seclusion

As he approached his forties, the Prophet (peace be upon him) began to seek solitude in the Cave of Hira. This practice of retreat allowed him to reflect deeply, re-evaluate life’s purpose, and prepare for the monumental mission that lay ahead. In the silence of the cave, away from the distractions of the dunya, he sought a deeper connection with Allah and focused on the akhirah.

This period of contemplation enabled him to empty his heart of worldly attachments and purified his soul for the divine revelation. It was during one of these moments of seclusion that the first verses of the Quran were revealed to him, marking the beginning of his prophetic mission and the transformation of humanity forever.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the opening hadith of Sahih Bukhari on how the revelation began, known as Ba’d Al Wahi. Thus the divine revelation began, changing his life and the course of history.

Based on the talk delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim inspired by The Life of Prophet Muhammad. Highlights and Lessons by Dr Mustafa as-Sibaa’ie (may Allah have mercy on him) to the Umrah group – Dec 2024

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Shaykh Haytham Tamim is the founder and main teacher of the Utrujj Foundation. He has provided a leading vision for Islamic learning in the UK, which has influenced the way Islamic knowledge is disseminated. He has orchestrated the design and delivery of over 200 unique courses since Utrujj started in 2001. His extensive expertise spans over 30 years across the main Islamic jurisprudence schools of thought. He has studied with some of the foremost scholars in their expertise; he holds some of the highest Ijazahs (certificates) in Quran, Hadith (the Prophetic traditions) and Fiqh (Islamic rulings). His own gift for teaching was evident when he gave his first sermon to a large audience at the age of 17 and went on to serve as a senior lecturer of Islamic transactions and comparative jurisprudence at the Islamic University of Beirut (Shariah College). He has continued to teach; travelling around the UK, Europe and wider afield, and won the 2015 BISCA award (British Imams & Scholars Contributions & Achievements Awards) for Outstanding Contribution to Education and Teaching.

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