Born in Makkah: The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant, around 570 CE. He belonged to the family of Banu Hashim, and his father Abdullah passed away before his birth. His mother Amina raised him for a short time, and then his grandfather Abdul Muttalib and his uncle Abu Talib looked after him.
Known as Al-Amin: As a young man, he was known as Al-Amin — the Trustworthy. People trusted him with their money and their secrets.
The first revelation at forty: At the age of forty, he received the first revelation in the Cave of Hira. The words were: "Read, in the name of your Lord who created." From that day, his life became the life of a Messenger.
Example
- He was honest before he was a Prophet. His character came first.
- He began with his own family, then his close friends, then the whole city.
- Change began slowly, with a few believers. That is how real change often begins.
Key Terms
- Al-Amin (الأمين) — the Trustworthy, the Prophet's title before prophethood
- Wahi (وحي) — revelation from Allah
- Hira (حراء) — the cave where the first revelation came
Quran or Hadith
Quran 96:1 — "Read, in the name of your Lord who created." — to be checked.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: A simple timeline of the Prophet's early life — birth, childhood, marriage to Khadija (as), first revelation. In Project Desk colours.
- The Prophet (SAW) was known as Al-Amin, the Trustworthy, before prophethood.
- The first revelation came at the age of forty, in the Cave of Hira.
- Change began slowly, with a few believers — that is how real change often begins.