Five days after the passing of Hazrat Amina, Umm Ayman brought the Prophet ﷺ to Makkah and entrusted him to Abdul Muttalib. The grief Abdul Muttalib felt over the Prophet ﷺ becoming an orphan was far greater than what he had experienced at the death of his own son.
For Abdul Muttalib, a carpet would be spread in the shade of the Kaaba, where he would sit. Such was his respect that no one else dared to sit on this carpet. His sons and the chiefs of the Quraysh would sit around it, but whenever the Prophet ﷺ arrived, he would go straight to the carpet and sit upon it. At that time, the Prophet ﷺ was a healthy boy, nearly nine years old. Out of respect for Abdul Muttalib, some of his sons would try to remove the Prophet ﷺ from the carpet, but Abdul Muttalib would say, “Let my son be. By Allah, he possesses great dignity.”
He would then lovingly seat the Prophet ﷺ on the carpet, stroke his back affectionately, and listen to his words with immense delight. Sometimes he would say to others, “Let my son sit here. He himself is aware of his great dignity, and my wish is that he attains such a lofty status as no Arab has ever achieved before or after him.”
On one occasion, he remarked, “Let my son be. His temperament naturally inclines toward greatness… his dignity is unique.”
Toward the end of his life, Abdul Muttalib became blind. In this state, one day, as he was sitting on the carpet, the Prophet ﷺ arrived and went straight to the carpet. Someone removed him, causing the Prophet ﷺ to cry. Hearing his cries, Abdul Muttalib became restless and asked, “Why is my son crying?”
Someone replied, “He wants to sit on the carpet, but we removed him.”
Upon hearing this, Abdul Muttalib said, “Let my son sit on the carpet. He recognizes his own status. My prayer is that he attains such a rank as no Arab has ever reached before or after him.” After that, no one ever stopped the Prophet ﷺ from sitting on the carpet.
One day, some people from the Banu Mudlij tribe came to meet Abdul Muttalib. The Prophet ﷺ was also present at that time. When the men of Banu Mudlij saw him, they carefully observed him. These people were skilled in physiognomy, the art of determining a person’s future by looking at their face.
They said to Abdul Muttalib, “Protect this child because the footprints of this child are remarkably similar to the footprint at Maqam-e-Ibrahim, which marks the spot where Prophet Ibrahim (عليه السلام) stood. We have never seen such resemblance in anyone else’s footprints. In our view, this child will possess a unique and unparalleled dignity. Therefore, take special care of him.”
As the supplication was still being made, it started raining. The valleys filled with water, but something very unusual happened with this rain. The strange thing was that while the Quraysh received plentiful rain, the nearby villages of the Qais and Mudar tribes remained entirely deprived of it. People were astonished at this phenomenon. Rain blessed one tribe, while the others nearby were left dry.
Leaders of all the tribes gathered and began discussing this matter. One of the leaders said:
“We are suffering from severe famine and drought, while the Quraysh have been blessed with rain by Allah, and this has happened because of Abdul Muttalib. Therefore, we should all go to him. Perhaps, if he prays for us, Allah will bless us with rain as well.”
This suggestion was well-received by everyone, and they went to Makkah to meet Abdul Muttalib. They greeted him and said:
“O Abdul Muttalib, we have been suffering from drought for many years. We have come to know about the blessings associated with you. Please be kind enough to pray for us as well because Allah has granted rain to the Quraysh through your supplication.”
Hearing this, Abdul Muttalib said:
“Very well, I will pray for you all tomorrow in the plains of Arafat.”
The next morning, Abdul Muttalib set out for the plains of Arafat. Accompanying him were other people, including his son and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. At Arafat, a seat was arranged for Abdul Muttalib, where he sat with the Prophet ﷺ in his lap. Raising his hands, he supplicated:
“O Allah, Lord of the clinging lightning and the rumbling thunder! Sustainer of all who sustain, and the One who eases difficulties. These are the tribes of Qais and Mudar; they are in great distress. Their backs are bent with hardship, and they cry to You for their helplessness and poverty. They lament the destruction of their lives and wealth. So, O Allah, send upon them abundant rain-bearing clouds. Grant them Your mercy from the heavens so that their lands may become green and their hardships may be relieved.”
As Abdul Muttalib was making this supplication, a black cloud appeared, moved toward him, and then turned toward the villages of the Qais and Mudar tribes. Seeing this, Abdul Muttalib said:
“Go, O tribes of Quraysh and Mudar, you will receive abundance!”
When these people returned to their villages, rain had already started pouring there.
An Illness and a Divine Cure
When the Prophet ﷺ was seven years old, he developed an ailment in his eyes. Treatment was sought in Makkah, but it brought no relief. Someone suggested to Abdul Muttalib:
“There is a monk in the market of Ukaz who treats eye diseases.”
Abdul Muttalib took the Prophet ﷺ to him. The door of the monk’s sanctuary was closed, so Abdul Muttalib called out to him, but there was no response. Suddenly, a severe earthquake struck the sanctuary. The monk became frightened that the building might collapse on him, so he quickly came out.
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Seeing the Prophet ﷺ, the monk was startled. He said:
“O Abdul Muttalib, this boy is the prophet of this nation! If I hadn’t come out, this sanctuary would surely have collapsed on me. Take this boy back immediately and protect him, lest any Jew or Christian tries to kill him.”
He added:
“As for his eyes, the remedy is already with him.”
Surprised, Abdul Muttalib asked:
“With him? I don’t understand.”
The monk replied:
“Yes, apply his own saliva to his eyes.”
Abdul Muttalib did as instructed, and the Prophet’s ﷺ eyes were instantly cured.
Signs in Ancient Scriptures
Numerous signs of the Prophet ﷺ had been mentioned in the ancient divine scriptures, and their details are both fascinating and extensive.
In Yemen, there was a tribe called Himyar. Among them was a man named Sayf ibn Dhi Yazan, also known as Sayf Himyari. His ancestors once ruled over Yemen, but at some point, the Abyssinians attacked and took control of the region. Yemen then remained under Abyssinian rule for seventy years.
When Sayf grew up, he developed a yearning to free the land of his ancestors. He raised an army, launched an attack on the Abyssinians, and successfully drove them out, reclaiming the land. He then became the king of Yemen.
This region of Yemen was part of Arabia, and the Arabs had felt deep sorrow when the Abyssinians took over. Seventy years later, when the people of Yemen expelled the Abyssinians, the Arabs rejoiced. One of the reasons for their happiness was that these same Abyssinians had marched with Abraha to attack Makkah.
Delegations from across Arabia began arriving to congratulate Sayf. Among them was a delegation from the Quraysh, led by Abdul Muttalib. When this delegation reached Yemen, Sayf was in his palace, wearing a crown and with a sword placed before him. Himyari chiefs were seated to his right and left.
Sayf was informed about the arrival of the Quraysh delegation and told about their status. He allowed them to enter. The delegation approached the court, and Abdul Muttalib stepped forward to stand before Sayf. He asked for permission to speak, and Sayf replied:
“If you know the proper etiquette of addressing kings, then you may speak.”
Abdul Muttalib said:
“O King! We are the custodians of the Kaaba, the protectors of Allah’s House. We have come to congratulate you. The Abyssinian rule over Yemen was also a burden for us. Congratulations to you! Your achievement will bring honor to your ancestors and dignity to future generations.”
Sayf, pleased by these words, spontaneously asked:
“O man, who are you? What is your name?”
Abdul Muttalib replied:
“My name is Abdul Muttalib ibn Hashim.”
Upon hearing the name Hashim, Sayf said:
“Then you are the son of our sister!”
Abdul Muttalib’s mother was from the Khazraj tribe of Medina, and the Khazraj were originally from Yemen. Therefore, Sayf referred to Abdul Muttalib as a nephew. He then added:
“We warmly welcome you all and value your sentiments.”
The Quraysh delegation was then accommodated in a royal guesthouse, where they were treated with great hospitality for a month. After this month, Sayf summoned them. He called Abdul Muttalib to him and said:
“O Abdul Muttalib, I am about to share with you a hidden secret from my knowledge, a secret I would not disclose to anyone else. Keep this secret until Allah Himself reveals it.
We possess a hidden book—a treasure of concealed truths. In this book, I have read something extraordinary and concerning, and it pertains to you.”
Hearing this, Abdul Muttalib was astonished and asked:
“I do not understand. What do you mean?”
Sayf explained:
“O Abdul Muttalib, when a child is born in the valley of Tihamah (Makkah), with a mark of hair between his shoulders (the Seal of Prophethood), he will be granted leadership and supremacy. Through him, you will attain honor and distinction until the Day of Judgment.”
Abdul Muttalib responded:
“O King! May Allah bless you with similar good fortune. Your majesty prevents me from asking further, but I would have liked to know when this child will appear.”
Sayf replied:
“This is his time. He has either already been born or is about to be born. His name will be Muhammad. His mother will pass away, and his grandfather and uncle will care for him. We too have longed for this child to be born among us. Allah will publicly reveal him, and from among us (the Khazraj tribe of Medina, originally from Yemen), Allah will raise helpers for him.
Through them, his family and tribe will gain honor, and his enemies will be humiliated. They will assist him in confronting all people, and through them, significant regions of the earth will be conquered.
This prophet will worship the Most Merciful, confront Satan, extinguish fire temples (eliminating fire worshippers), and destroy idols. His words will be final, his commands will embody justice, and he will enjoin good deeds, acting upon them himself. He will forbid evil and eradicate it entirely.”
Abdul Muttalib prayed for Saif bin Dhi Yazan and then requested, “Please share more details.” Saif responded, “The matter is veiled, and the signs are hidden. But, O Abdul Muttalib, there is no doubt that you are his grandfather.”
Hearing this, Abdul Muttalib immediately fell into prostration. Saif then said, “Raise your head, hold your forehead high, and tell me—of all that I’ve revealed to you, have you observed any such signs in your surroundings?”
Abdul Muttalib replied, “Yes, I had a son whom I loved dearly. I married him to a noble and honorable woman, Amina bint Wahb, from one of the most respected families of my tribe. From their union, a boy was born, whom I named Muhammad. Both his mother and father have passed away. Now, I and his uncle, Abu Talib, look after him.”
Upon hearing this, Saif said, “Everything I have told you is true. Now protect your grandson and shield him from the Jews, for they are his enemies. However, Allah will never allow them to overpower him. Also, do not share these details with anyone in your tribe, as I fear they might grow envious and harbor malice. They may wonder why such honor and status are destined for him. They might obstruct his path, and if they don’t live to do so, their descendants might attempt it.”
Saif continued, “If I were not certain that death would come to me before this Prophet’s appearance, I would have traveled with my caravans and camels to Yathrib (Medina), as it is written in the scriptures that Yathrib will be the center of his kingdom, the source of his power, the base of his support, and the place of his death and burial. Our scriptures are filled with knowledge of earlier revelations. If I were not concerned about the dangers these revelations could pose to him and me, I would have publicly announced his greatness. I would have narrated the stories of his elevated status and high rank to the Arabs. But I have disclosed this secret only to you and not even to your companions.”
After this, Saif summoned Abdul Muttalib’s companions and distributed ten Abyssinian slaves, ten female slaves, striped Yemeni cloaks, a large quantity of gold and silver, 100 camels, and boxes of amber to each of them. He then gave Abdul Muttalib ten times more than the others and said, “Come to me next year and inform me about the child’s condition.” However, Saif passed away before the year ended.
Abdul Muttalib often reminisced about Saif. When the Prophet (ﷺ) turned eight, Abdul Muttalib passed away at the age of 95, though some historical accounts state that he lived even longer. The Prophet (ﷺ) was present at his deathbed, weeping. Abdul Muttalib was buried at Junf, near his ancestor Qusay. Before passing, Abdul Muttalib entrusted the care of the Prophet (ﷺ) to his son Abu Talib, who became his guardian.
Abu Talib loved the Prophet (ﷺ) dearly, as did his brothers Abbas and Zubair. After Zubair’s passing, Abu Talib continued to care for the Prophet (ﷺ), and his affection grew as he witnessed the blessings and miracles associated with him. Despite financial struggles, where food was scarce, the Prophet’s (ﷺ) presence brought blessings. A small amount of food sufficed for the entire household, and everyone’s hunger was satiated. Similarly, when milk was shared, the Prophet (ﷺ) drank first, and then everyone else drank their fill from the same vessel, with milk still left over.
A cushion was reserved for Abu Talib, and whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived, he would sit directly on it. Observing this, Abu Talib would remark, “My son recognizes his elevated status.”
Once, a severe drought struck Mecca, and the people approached their idols—Lat, Uzza, and Manat—for rain. An elder rebuked them, saying, “You are abandoning the truth. Among you is a sign of Ibrahim (عليه السلام) and Ismail (عليه السلام). Why are you ignoring it and straying onto the wrong path?”
When asked if he referred to Abu Talib, the elder affirmed, “Yes, I do.” The people then went to Abu Talib’s house and knocked on the door. A handsome young man, wearing a loincloth, answered. They pleaded with Abu Talib, saying, “The valley is dry, and children are dying of hunger. Pray for rain on our behalf.”
Abu Talib emerged with the Prophet (ﷺ), who shone like the sun in the darkness. Holding the Prophet’s (ﷺ) arm, Abu Talib circled the Kaaba while the people gazed at the clear sky. Suddenly, clouds gathered from all directions, and heavy rain poured down, quenching the city and the wilderness.
On another occasion, during a trade fair at Ukaz, near Arafat, Abu Talib felt thirsty. He expressed his discomfort, not expecting a solution. The Prophet (ﷺ) immediately dismounted his ride and said, “Uncle, you are thirsty.”
He replied, “Yes, my nephew, I am thirsty.” Hearing this, the Prophet (ﷺ) struck a stone with his blessed foot.
