the Prophet a was eight, his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib
also passed away and the responsibility of looking
after the Prophet a came on the shoulders of his uncle
Abu Talib, the brother of the Prophet’s a father.
Abu Talib fulfilled the rights of the Prophet a in the
best way possible. He adopted him as one of his own,
treated him better than his own children, and respected
him immensely. He supported him for forty years, providing
him security and befriending some and cutting
relations with others to protect the Prophet a .
First business trip to Syria at age 12
In the company of Abu Talib, the Prophet a traveled to
Syria on his first business trip.
Foreseen as a Prophet at age 15
The very first indication that he was a prophet was given
by a Christian monk when he was 15 years old. In the
business trip to Syria at a stopover, Buhayra, a Christian
monk, foresaw his prophethood after observing multiple
miraculous signs on and around the young Prophet
a. He also advised Abu Talib not to proceed with him
to Syria as he feared that he will be recognized by the
People of the Book and will be killed. Abu Talib sent
him back to Makka.
Noncombatant in battle at age 15
A tribal war between Quraysh and Banu Kinana broke
out, known as Harb Fijar when the Prophet a was 15
years (or 20 according to some reports). In line with
Arab custom, he took part in the battlefield, but as a
noncombatant.
A pledge known as Oath of Fudool or Hilf al-Fudool
was made between some kindhearted individuals of
Quraysh who pledged to support the oppressed regardless
of which tribe they hailed from. The Prophet a said
that had he been called to this now, he would join the
group and support them against any injustice.
Second business trip to Syria at age 25
When the Prophet a turned 25, he took commercial
goods for Khadija j, a wealthy widow of Makka, on a
business trip to Syria.
Marriage with Khadija j at 25
After seeing his honesty, integrity, and good character
as her agent, Khadija j offered to marry the Prophet a.
The Prophet a accepted the proposal and married her at
the age of 25 when she was 40 years old.
First child born at 30
All Seerah historians agree that the Prophet a had four
daughters: Zainab, Ruqayya, Umm Kulsoom and Fatima
l. As for his sons, there is a difference of opinion
of whether he had 3, 4 or 5 sons. The reason for this
disagreement is that all his sons passed away at a young
age. Most of the historian agree that the Prophet a had 3
boys: Qasim, Abdullah and Ibrahim. Aside from Ibrahim
who was born in Madina from Mariya j, all of his children
were born from Khadija j in Makka.
Among all his children, only Fatima j, who was born one
year after prophethood, and Ibrahim were born after
prophethood.
The truthful and the trustworthy at age 35
From the very start, the good character and etiquettes
had earned Muhammad a the titles of the Truthful and
the Trustworthy. Many times, tribal clashes were resolved
through the mediation of the Prophet a. People would
entrust him with their valuables with peace of mind that
they will be returned upon demand.
The clans of Quraysh accepting the Prophet a to resolve
the issue of placing the Hajar Aswad in the Ka‘ba was
proof of their complete confidence in him.
Prophethood at the age of 40
The Prophet a spent most of his time in the cave of Hira
from the age of 39 until he received his first revelation
when he was 40 years of age (40 years and six months
according to one opinion). For the first three years, the
Prophet a was ordered to propagate the deen to his close
circle, which resulted in Khadija, Abu Bakr, Ali Ja‘far, Uthman,
Ammar, Suhayb Yasir, Sumayya l and a few more
to embrace Islam.
First warning of hardships at age 40
Waraqa bin Naufal was a learned Christian scholar
who confirmed his prophethood and warned him that
Quraysh will denounce him and try to exile him from
Makka.
First rejection at 43
The first divine order to invite his family to Islam
was revealed when the Prophet a was 43. The famous
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