after the death of his father, Muhammad was cared for by his grandfather, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib. He was later entrusted to the care of Ḥalīmah al-Saʿdiyyah, who nursed him and raised him in her household. As he grew older, he tended sheep, and after the death of his grandfather, his uncle Abū Ṭālib took responsibility for him. Muhammad assisted his uncle in his commercial activities and traveled with him to Syria for trade before reaching puberty.
Among the most significant activities Muhammad undertook before his prophethood was his work in trade using the wealth of Khadījah bint Khuwaylid. He traveled to Syria on her behalf, accompanied by her servant Maysarah. The trade journey brought great profit and became a reason for the connection between Muhammad and Khadījah. This relationship eventually led to their marriage: Muhammad was twenty-five years old, while Khadījah was forty. She had been married twice before him.
Throughout all stages of his life, Muhammad was known for his noble character and his avoidance of practices that were common among many Arabs of his time, such as drinking alcohol, engaging in frivolous gatherings, gambling, and other forms of behavior considered improper. Because of his honesty and integrity, he became known as “al-Amīn” (the Trustworthy).
The Black Stone Arbitration and Muhammad’s Spiritual Preparation Before Prophethood
When Quraysh completed the rebuilding of the Kaʿbah and prepared to return the Black Stone to its place, a dispute arose among the clans over who would have the honor of carrying and placing it. The disagreement nearly led to fighting between them. They eventually agreed that the first person to enter through the gate of Banū Shaybah would serve as their judge. Muhammad was the first to enter, and they said: “This is al-Amīn (the Trustworthy). We accept him as our judge.” They then informed him of the matter.
Muhammad placed his cloak on the ground, put the Black Stone upon it, and instructed each tribe to hold one side of the cloth. They lifted it together until they reached its proper position, then Muhammad took the Stone and placed it in its place. Through this wise solution, he satisfied all the tribes and prevented conflict.
Historians and researchers agree that Muhammad never worshiped idols. Rather, he disliked idol worship and rejected the religion of his people. Instead, he would withdraw into solitude, reflecting upon the universe and its Creator. Each year, he would spend a month in retreat at the cave of Ḥirāʾ. He continued in this manner until he followed the religion of Abraham (Ibrāhīm), which was also followed by some Arabs who rejected idol worship, such as Quss ibn Sāʿidah, Aktham ibn Sayfī, and Umayyah ibn Abī al-Ṣalt.
Just as Muhammad avoided idol worship, he also remained distant from the immoral practices of the pre-Islamic era in which many young Arabs of that time were involved.
The Beginning of Prophethood
Khadījah’s wealth gave Muhammad the opportunity to devote himself to worship and reflection. After his marriage to Khadījah, he became financially secure through her wealth, as expressed in the Qur’anic verse: “Did He not find you an orphan and give you refuge? And He found you lost and guided you, and He found you in need and made you self-sufficient.”
Muhammad, as mentioned earlier, would retreat into solitude and contemplate the universe. His financial stability provided him with greater opportunity for reflection; his advancing age gave him deeper insight; his noble character granted him greater purity of heart; and he was surrounded by the care of God until he experienced the beginning of revelation and was chosen for prophethood.
The First Revelation: Muhammad’s Retreat in Ḥirāʾ and the Beginning of Divine Revelation
Muhammad devoted himself to solitude for the sake of worship and reflection. His righteous wife encouraged him in this desire and would prepare food for him, which he would take with him to the Cave of Ḥirāʾ. There, he would withdraw from the world to contemplate the universe, its Creator, death, and the fate of people after death.
As a result of his spiritual purity and deep reflection, Muhammad’s visions became truthful and were rarely, if ever, mistaken.
The Beginning of Revelation
Muhammad continued his periods of solitude and contemplation until Gabriel came to him on Monday, the seventeenth night of Ramadan, and called out to him:
“Read.”
He replied: “I cannot read.”
Again, Gabriel said: “Read.”
He replied: “I cannot read.”
Then Gabriel conveyed to him the first revealed verses:
“Read in the name of your Lord who created. He created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous, who taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know.”
These were the first verses of the Qur’an revealed to Muhammad.
It is significant that these verses did not yet command Muhammad to call people to a new faith, nor did they announce his mission as a messenger. Rather, they were only an introduction to an extraordinary event whose full meaning Muhammad had not yet understood. Therefore, he quickly returned home in fear and distress, especially because Gabriel had embraced him firmly and then released him while commanding him to read. Each time Muhammad responded, “I cannot read,” Gabriel repeated the action and then commanded him again: “Read.”
The Stages of the Call
After this event, Gabriel ceased visiting Muhammad for a period of time. Muhammad awaited him, watching for him both inside and outside the cave. One day, he heard a sound, raised his head toward the sky, and saw the angel before him.
