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Posted by msk2000 on 11/16/07 05:11
Then the monk went to Abu Talib and asked him how he was related to
Muhammad (pbuh). Abu Talib told him that Muhammad (pbuh) was his son.
Bahira replied that this could not be so because the boy was destined
to grow up an orphan, and he ordered Abu Talib to watch over Muhammad
(pbuh) with great care. There are many stories told about Mohammed's
youth. Some tell of how he used to take the family's sheep to graze
and was always kind to them. While they grazed he would sit thinking
about the mysteries of nature. Unlike those around him, he never
worshipped the idols and never swore by them.
He also wondered why people were always struggling for power and
money, and this saddened him and made him feel lonely, but he kept his
feelings to himself. He was a quiet, thoughtful boy, and rarely played
with other boys of his age. On one occasion, however, Muhammad (pbuh)
went with some of the boys to a wedding in Mecca.
When he reached the house he heard the sounds of music and dancing but
just as he was about to enter he suddenly felt tired and, sitting
down, fell asleep. He didn't wake up until late the next morning and
thus missed the celebrations. In this way Allah prevented him from
doing anything foolish for He was keeping Muhammad (pbuh) for
something much more important.
The Prophet's Marriage
By the time Muhammad (pbuh) was twenty-five he was famous for his
honesty. He was respected by everyone, even the elders of Mecca. The
purity of his nature increased with the years. It seemed he had an
inner knowledge that other people did not have. He believed in one God-
Creator of the world-and he worshipped Him with all his heart and with
all his soul. Muhammad (pbuh) was the finest of his people, the most
kind, truthful and reliable person in Mecca. He was known among
Quraysh as 'the trustworthy' (al-Amin) because of the good qualities
Allah had given him. He spent many quiet hours in a cave in Mount
Hira, not far from Mecca,
thinking about Allah. Among Quraysh was a respected and wealthy woman
named Khadijah. She was involved in trade and on hearing of Mohammed's
reputation, sent for him and asked him to take her goods and trade
with them in Syria. Muhammad (pbuh) agreed and left for Syria with one
of Khadijah's caravans. With him went her slave, Maysarah, and they
spent a great deal of time talking together. Maysarah soon came to
admire Muhammad (pbuh). He thought he was quite different from all the
other men of Quraysh.
Two unusual events took place during this journey which puzzled
Maysarah very much. The first happened when they stopped to rest near
the lonely home of a monk. Muhammad (pbuh) sat under a tree while
Maysarah was busy with some work. The monk came up to Maysarah and
asked, 'Who is the man resting under the tree?' 'One of Quraysh, the
people who guard the Ka'bah', said Maysarah. 'No one but a Prophet is
sitting beneath this tree', replied the monk. The second event
occurred on the journey back to Mecca. It happened at noon
when the sun is at its hottest. Maysarah was riding behind Muhammad
(pbuh) and as the sun grew hotter he saw two angels appear above
Muhammad (pbuh) and shield him from the sun's harmful rays. The
trading was very successful and Muhammad (pbuh) made more profit for
Khadijah than she had ever received before.
When they arrived back in Mecca Maysarah told Khadijah everything
about the trip and what he had noticed about Mohammed's character and
behavior.
Khadijah was a widow in her forties and as well as being rich and
highly respected she was also very beautiful.
Many men wanted to marry her but none of them suited her. When she met
Muhammad (pbuh), however, she thought he was very special. She sent a
friend to ask Muhammad (pbuh) why he was not married. Muhammad (pbuh)
said that it was because he had no money, to which the friend replied:
'Supposing a rich, beautiful and noble lady agreed to marry you?'
Muhammad (pbuh) wanted to know who that could be. The friend told him
it was Khadijah.
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