Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib: The Father of the Messenger
Introduction
Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib al-Hashimi, a notable figure from the Quraysh tribe, is esteemed for his noble lineage and high standing among the tribes of Arabia. His mother, Fatimah bint Amr ibn Awf, belonged to the respected Banu Makhzum clan in Quraysh. Abdullah was one of three sons of Abd al-Muttalib; the other two sons were Abu Talib and al-Zubayr ibn Abd al-Muttalib. He also had five daughters: Umm Hakim al-Bayda, who was a twin with her brother Abdullah, as well as Atikah, Barra, Ummayyah, and Arwa.
Abdullah’s grandmothers also came from esteemed backgrounds. His paternal grandmother was Salma bint Amr al-Najriyyah, who reportedly refrained from marriage due to her high status among her peers. His maternal grandmother was Takhmur bint Abd ibn Qusai, also a member of the Quraysh tribe.
The Story of His Redemption
Abd al-Muttalib was determined to dig the Zamzam well in fulfillment of a vision he had. However, the Quraysh obstructed his efforts, and he had only his son al-Harith to assist him. He vowed to Allah that if He granted him ten sons, he would sacrifice one at the Kaaba.
Once he was blessed with ten sons, it was time to fulfill his vow. He asked each son to inscribe his name on a stick, and they would cast lots to determine who would be offered as a sacrifice. Abd al-Muttalib had a profound affection for Abdullah and hoped the lot would not fall on him, but it did.
Determined to honor his vow, Abd al-Muttalib took Abdullah to the Kaaba with a sacrificial knife. However, the people intervened, suggesting he should cast lots between Abdullah and ten camels. If the lot fell on the camels, he could sacrifice them to redeem his son. Accepting their counsel, Abd al-Muttalib cast lots, but again the result was Abdullah. He then added ten more camels, but the lot still fell on Abdullah. This continued until he had a hundred camels, which he realized was pleasing to Allah, and he redeemed Abdullah with them.
His Death
Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib worked in trade like many of his kin. One day, he traveled to a caravan in the Levant. On his return journey, he fell gravely ill in Medina, where he was cared for by his maternal relatives from Banu al-Najjar. His caravan companions returned to Mecca. Upon receiving the news, Abd al-Muttalib sent al-Harith to check on his son, only to find he had passed away. His family mourned him deeply, and Abdullah was buried in the house of al-Nabigha.
Amina bint Wahb: The Mother of the Messenger
Introduction
Amina bint Wahb ibn Abd Manaf ibn Zuhrah ibn Kilab ibn Murrah is the mother of the Prophet Muhammad. Her lineage meets that of her husband Abdullah at Kilab ibn Murrah, making the Prophet’s maternal uncles from Banu Zuhrah. This is a lineage of considerable prestige, similar to that of his paternal side.
Her Death
Lady Amina visited her relatives in Medina. When the Prophet Muhammad was six years old, Amina took him along with Umm Ayman, stopping by the grave of her deceased husband, Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, in the house of al-Nabigha. Unfortunately, Amina fell ill during the return journey and passed away in a place called Al-Abwa, located between Mecca and Medina, where she was buried. Umm Ayman then embraced the young Muhammad and returned to Mecca with him, along with her two camels.
The Story of the Marriage of Abdullah and Amina
During a trade expedition to Yemen, Abd al-Muttalib encountered a Jewish scholar who advised him to return to Mecca and marry from the Banu Zuhrah. Consequently, Abd al-Muttalib sought the hand of Hala, daughter of Wahb ibn Abd Manaf, in marriage, and he also sought to wed Amina, the daughter of Wahb ibn Abd Manaf, for his son Abdullah. At that time, Amina was renowned for her beauty and high status among her people, thus Abdullah became related to his father through marriage.
According to historical texts, after Abdullah and Amina were wed, he once encountered a woman who hesitated to accept his advances due to the mud on his clothes. After washing himself, he approached her again, but she declined, commenting that she had seen a white mark between his eyes resembling a horse’s light spot, and she desired him because of that. However, once Abdullah returned from Amina, the mark had vanished.
It is said that this woman was the sister of Waraka ibn Nawfal, and the mark she saw was a sign of prophethood. Amina’s pregnancy with Muhammad- may peace be upon him- was easy, but unfortunately, Abdullah passed away while she was still expecting. When she gave birth, a light emanated from her that illuminated the palaces of Busra and the Levant, and this child was named Muhammad. No one in Mecca had borne that name before.
The Upbringing of the Prophet as an Orphan
The Messenger of Allah was born without a father, and he experienced the early years of his childhood as an orphan. Before long, his mother also passed away, leaving him orphaned in both respects. Nevertheless, Allah’s care surrounded him, providing him with guardians in the forms of his grandfather and uncle. His experience of growing up without parents had a profound impact on his character development, endowing him with resilience in the face of adversity.