Abdulmuttalib Knew about Prophecy of Grandson Mohammad (sws) - Part 4

 At Your Service O' Prophet Mohammad (sws) - Part 4

The will of Allah had provided that the holy Messenger (sws) would lost his father before birth and his mother Amina bint Wahab at the age of six. Thus he became orphan in an early age.

He lived with his grandfather Abdulmuttalib who was a great man of Quraish tribe in Mecca city of the Arabian Peninsula. Abdulmuttalib used to keep  himself hungry until 'Mohammad' arrived at home and was favoring him amongst other children.

Abdulmuttalib knew about his grandson's prophecy and that the next few years would bring for him a prosperous and eventful future. Some of the texts narrate that a high mattress was used to be placed for Abdulmuttalib in front of the holy Kaaba. He used to sit over it surrounded by his sons and the honorable figures of Mecca. When he was a young boy, Prophet Mohammad (sws) was used to come and sit on his grandfather's mattress, the act which his uncles were considering bold and were used to take him away of it, but Abdulmuttalib used to tell them: "Let my grandson, I swear that he will have a great affair. I can see that day when he will be your master. I can see him ruling the people." Then he used to lift him to the mattress and kiss him, saying: "I never kissed purer than him." Then he used to carry him on his shoulders cruising seven times around the Kaaba.

It seems that Abdulmuttalib learned about the prophecy of his grandson in two ways:

First, the characteristics and features that were shown by Prophet's behavior, along with blessings and unusual events that accompanied him since his birth.

Second, the promise of pontiffs for his future and prophecy, where some texts say that once upon a time, Abdulmutallib led a delegation of Mecca senior figures to congratulate Seif dhi Yazn for occupying Yemen. Following congratulation ceremonies, a private meeting had been held between Yaz and Abdulmutallib when the former told the latter that a baby boy would born to Quraish and would be a messenger for the whole people.

Yazn described the signs and features of that "messenger-to-be" for Abdulmutallib, who realized they were only found in his grandson. So, he knelt and praised Allah. At that moment, Yazn believed that the baby he was talking about was being raised in the house of Abdulmuttalib and commended him to treat him good, warning of the risk threatened by Jews and others against Mohammad (sws) the boy.

This kind of promises and other signs and indicators strengthened the belief of Abdulmutallib in his grandson's prophecy. Therefore, he granted 'Mohammad' a special love, kindness, compassion, care and attention that he did not give to anyone else.

Abdulmutallib Treatment towards His "Chosen" Grandson

However, this tenderness that touched the Prophet did not last long , because Abdulmuttalib died when the Prophet (sws) was of eight years.

But before his death, Abdulmuttalib summoned his ten sons and distributed tasks and roles to be carried out in Mecca amongst them, including the services that he used to provide for people of Mecca and its tourists. Yet, he was not thinking of anything as he was of his grandson Mohammad, whom he would left alone in this world. Therefore he commended the ten brothers and hinted at Mohammad's brighten future saying: "I have left for you a great honor by whom you will master the people."

Abdulmutallib chose Abu Talib from among his sons to take care of his orphan grandson after his death considering that Abu Talib was a brother of Abdullah - the Prophet's father - of the same mother -Fatima Bint Aa'idh Almkhzumia.

In addition, Abu Talib was the noblest and most honorable son of Abdulmuttalib in Quraish, and he inherited the leadership of his father, although he was poor and does not have anything.

Abu Talib and his Wife Raising the Prophet (sws)

Following his grandfather death, Prophet Mohammad (sws) moved to live in his uncle's house - Abu Talib - who kept the commandment of his father and raised his nephew in the best way ever. Mohammad preoccupied Abu Talib's mind until the last breath of his life. He stayed in the arms of his uncle and his wife Fatima Bint Assad without feeling the bitterly orphanhood and poverty.

In the years of drought and poverty when people were dying of starvation and thirst, Fatima Bint Assad was used to deprive her children of food in order to feed the Prophet Mohammad (sws). This kind of treatment continued until he became a young man. When the Prophet was sent to deliver the message of Allah, Fatima Bint Assad rushed to believe in his mission and to offer her services in private and in public, along with her husband and sons.

Prophet Was Grateful to His Uncle's Wife

Mohammad bin Abdullah, the loyal man who taught people nobility and charity, wouldn't forget Fatima Bint Asad. History narrates that when she died, Prophet (s) said with tears in his eyes: "Today My mother died." He enshrouded her and prayed for her, then he buried her, disarmed his shirt and dressed her with it, and went down to the grave and lay in it. He also read the holy Quran and did what he did not do with any Muslim before.

When Muslims watched his actions, they asked him about the reason behind it, the Prophet (sws) replied: "I dressed her in my shirt so that she would wear from the garments of paradise, and I laid down in her grave to relieve its pressure. She was my mother who preferred me over herself and her sons. She had the best tenderness in the world towards me after Abu Talib."

Thus, just as Abu Talib was, his wife had sacrificed and suffered a lot in favor of the Prophet (sws) and his mission in all stages and under all circumstances.

Edited and Translated by E. al-Rihani