Prophet Mohammad’s (PBUH) origin returns to Hashem bin Abd Munaf whose family was the most noble among the families of Mecca, and it was known as the Hashem family.

At Your Service O' Prophet Mohammad - Part 3 

 

Prophet's origin and childhood

Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) origin returns to Hashem bin Abd Munaf whose family was the most noble among the families of Mecca, and it was known as the Hashem family.

The prophet (PBUH) is Abu Al-Qassem Mohammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashem bin Abd Munaf, and his origin returns to Prophet Ismail, son of Prophet Ibrahim (PBUT).

His father was Abdullah, his grandfather was Abdul Muttalib, and his mother was Amena bint Wahab. He had ten uncles and they were Abu Taleb, Az-Zubair, Hamza, Al-Harith and he was the eldest, Al-Ghaydaq, Hujul, Al-Muqawwal, Abul Uzza known by Abu Lahab, Darrar, and Al-Abbas. He also had six aunts and they were Atika, Umaima, Al-Baydaa, Safiah, Arwa, and Ruwaida. From his uncles, only Abu Taleb, Hamza, and Al-Abbas embraced Islam; and from his aunts, Safia, Arwa, and Atika did.

His uncle and aunt who departed last were Al-Abbas and Safiah.

According to Islamic books, the prophet (PBUH) was born in Holy Mecca on Friday the 17th of Rabi Al-Awwal, in the year when Abraha, King of Yemen, invaded Mecca in order to destroy the Kaaba. That year was labeled as the Year of the Elephant and it equated to year 570 AD.

Prophet (PBUH) becomes orphan

Based on the most popular narrations, Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) father died as he was still an embryo. Chroniclers also stated that the prophet was nursed from his mother for only three days, then two women had the honor of nursing him, they were Thaiba, Abi Lahab's maid who nursed him for only four months, and then Halima Al-Sadia bint Abi Dhuayb from Bani Saad tribe. This was after Abdul Muttalib, the prophet's grandfather, decided to send his grandson to the desert for nursing, and in order to grow up, learn speech, and gain power and immunity there. But why in the desert?

It was a custom for the nobles and leaders of Mecca at that time to send their children to the desert for nursing, considering that they would grow healthy, eloquent, and having a clear mind, for in the desert, they would live in an environment known for its fresh air and water, and would confront the difficulties of nature, which would grant them natural immunity against different changes. Moreover, the desert would protect them from the threat of diseases which usually spread among children living in the city. It would also keep them away from the concerns, ideas, and concepts the complicated life in the city impose, and would allow them to mix with desert tribes who would teach them the correct language and speech.

The prophet was sent to the desert

For all these reasons, Abdul Muttalib decided to send his grandson, Mohammad bin Abdullah, for nursing in the desert. Chroniclers state that Halima Al-Sadia came to Mecca along with her friends looking for a child to nurse and make financial benefits. Amenah and Abdul Muttalib offered their son and she accepted. Chroniclers quoted Halima as saying that: "We arrived to our home carrying the orphan of Abdul Muttalib, and even though I haven't known a land more barren than ours', suddenly the sheep started giving plenty of milk after Mohammad came, until everyone in the neighborhood desired this orphan whom Allah sent us his blessings and pushed away poverty and misfortune through."

Halima and her husband took care of him, and she even gave him preference over her own children. After two years of nursing she returned him to his mother and grandfather, but the latter preferred to keep him in the desert to protect him from the diseases spread in Mecca due to the crowds from different parts of the Arabian Peninsula arriving in it. Moreover, the desert climate helped in preserving a pure nature, in growing a strong body and organs, and in gaining immunity. Abdul Muttalib also saw that Halima Al Sadia was passionate and attached to his grandson, so Amenah responded to the request of Abdul Muttalib and allowed Halima to take him back with her.
Mohammad stayed with Halima until he was five years old, then she returned him to his family and he was looked after by his grandfather then by his uncle, Abi Talib.

Chest incision incident

On this occasion, some texts mentioned an incident which occurred with the prophet while he was still in Bani Saad neighborhood, and it was known as "chest incision" incident. In brief, the incident allegedly took place as Mohammad was playing with the children in the neighborhood and Gabriel arrived and brought him to the ground until he lost conscious, so he incised his chest, took out his heart, and removed a black leech from it, saying: "This is Satan's share in you." He then washed it in a golden bowl filled with Zamzam water and returned it back.

When the rest of the children saw that, they rushed to Halima and told her that Mohammad was killed, but when they saw him again they found that his color has changed. Chroniclers also stated that this incident was the reason behind his return from the desert to his mother, and that similar incidents occurred with him four times throughout his life. The first time was when he was three years old, living in the desert with Halima, the second was when he was ten years old, the third was at the beginning of the prophetic mission, and the fourth was during the Israa and Miraj Journey.

We have many doubts about the occurrence of this incident during any of the stages of the prophet's life, and that is for the following reasons:

First, there are many contradictions in the narrations about the "chest incision" incident, whether in the location or the individuals who made this operation. These contradictions in the narrations and texts tackling this issue raise doubts about its actual occurrence, especially after looking over the way they were told, which also does not match with the standards that should be available in adopted texts.

Second, Satan has no way or power over the faithful and devoted servants of Allah, so how could he have power over the Messenger of Allah who has the utmost devotion and faith.

Allah says that in the Holy Koran: " He (Satan) said: My Lord! because Thou hast made life evil to me, I will certainly make (evil) fair-seeming to them on earth, and I will certainly cause them all to deviate (39) Except Thy servants from among them, the devoted ones (40)" {Al-Hijir}

If this was true, then how could it be said that Satan had a share in the Messenger of Allah and that Satan's power over him remained until Gabriel successfully incised it through an operation?

Therefore, we consider that the "Chest incision" incident contradicts with the Holy Koran. Hence it cannot be adopted.

 

Translated by Sara Taha Moughnieh