This command was given to Abdul Muttalib when he had forgotten his vow. In a dream, he was reminded:
“Fulfill your vow.”
Initially, Abdul Muttalib sacrificed a ram and distributed its meat to the poor. However, he had another dream that demanded a greater sacrifice. This time, he slaughtered a bull. Again, the dream repeated, instructing him to offer something even greater. Finally, he sacrificed a camel, but the dream returned once more, saying:
“Offer something even greater.”
Abdul Muttalib then asked, “What is greater than this?” The reply came:
“Sacrifice one of your sons, as you had vowed.”
At this, he remembered his pledge. Gathering his sons, he informed them of his vow. They all lowered their heads in silence, reluctant to offer themselves for sacrifice. Finally, Abdullah, the youngest, most handsome, and dearest to Abdul Muttalib, spoke up:
“Father, you may sacrifice me.”
With a heavy heart, Abdul Muttalib decided to cast lots to choose among his sons. He wrote the names of all his sons and drew lots. Abdullah’s name was drawn. Abdul Muttalib took a knife, grabbed Abdullah’s hand, and prepared to sacrifice him.
As Abdul Muttalib laid Abdullah down, his brother Abbas could not bear it. Overcome with emotion, he rushed forward and pulled Abdullah away. Abbas was still a child at the time. Abdul Muttalib tried to pull Abdullah back, and in the struggle, scratches appeared on Abdullah’s face. These marks remained with him for the rest of his life.
During this time, members of the Banu Makhzum clan arrived and pleaded:
“Do not sacrifice your son this way. His mother’s life will be devastated. Instead, offer a ransom to please your Lord.”
The question arose of what the ransom should be. A suggestion was made:
“Write Abdullah’s name on one slip and ten camels on another. Draw lots. If the slip with the camels is drawn, sacrifice ten camels. If Abdullah’s name is drawn, add ten more camels to the total and draw again. Continue this process until the slip with the camels is drawn.”
Abdul Muttalib followed this method. He kept adding ten camels each time, but Abdullah’s name kept being drawn. Finally, when the number of camels reached 100, the slip for the camels was drawn. At that point, 100 camels were sacrificed in place of Abdullah’s life.
Abdul Muttalib felt assured that Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) had accepted the ransom of 100 camels for Abdullah. He sacrificed the camels near the Kaaba, ensuring that no one was restricted from eating their meat. People, animals, and birds all shared in the feast.
Imam Zuhri narrates that Abdul Muttalib was the first to establish the practice of compensating a human life with 100 camels. Prior to this, the compensation was only ten camels. This practice then became widespread in Arabia, becoming a customary law that a person’s ransom is 100 camels.
When this practice was mentioned before the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), he affirmed it, saying it was correct. On this basis, the Prophet (ﷺ) would say:
“I am the descendant of the two sacrificed ones, Ismail (علیہ السلام) and Abdullah.”
Abdullah was the most handsome man among the Quraysh. His face shone like a radiant star. Many women of the Quraysh desired to marry him, but he married Amina, the daughter of Wahb bin Abd Manaf bin Zuhrah. At the time of their marriage, Abdullah was 18 years old.
Marriage and Prophetic Signs
Abdullah was traveling with his father for his marriage when, near the Kaaba, they came across a woman seated nearby. This woman was the sister of Waraqah bin Nawfal, a renowned scholar of the Quraysh. She had heard from her brother that the final prophet was about to appear, and one of the signs of this prophet was that the light of prophethood would shine from his father’s face.
As soon as she saw Abdullah, she thought, “This must be the man destined to father the coming prophet.”
She approached him and said:
“If you marry me, I will give you as many camels as were sacrificed in ransom for your life.”
Abdullah replied:
“I am with my father, and I cannot act against his will nor separate from him. He is an honorable man and the leader of our people.”
Ultimately, Abdullah married Amina, who was considered the most distinguished among the Quraysh women in lineage and status.
Amina’s Experience
Amina came to live with Abdullah. She narrates:
“When I became pregnant, a man came to me, appearing in human form while I was in a state between wakefulness and sleep. He said to me:
‘Do you know that you are carrying the leader and prophet of this nation?’
Later, when the time of delivery approached, the same figure came again and said:
“When your child is born, say:
‘I seek refuge in Allah for this child from the harm of every envious and evil being.’
Then name him Muhammad, for his name in the Torah is Ahmad, and all the inhabitants of the heavens and earth praise him. His name in the Quran is Muhammad, and the Quran will be his book.” (Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya)
In another narration, the angel told her:
“You will give birth to the leader of this time. A light will accompany him, illuminating the palaces of Syria and Busra. When he is born, name him Muhammad, as he is called Ahmad in the Torah and praised by the inhabitants of the heavens and earth. His name is Muhammad in the Quran.” (Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya)
The light of prophethood, which had shone on Abdullah’s face, transferred to Amina after their marriage.
The Prophet’s Special Status
Imam Zuhri narrates that Hakim declared the following tradition authentic:
The companions once asked the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), “O Messenger of Allah, tell us something about yourself.” He replied:
“I am the answer to my father Ibrahim’s (عليه السلام) prayer, the glad tidings of my brother Isa (عليه السلام), and my mother saw a light emerge from her that illuminated the palaces of Syria when she was carrying me.”
Amina had once told Halima Sa’diyah:
“My child is unique. During my pregnancy, I never felt any burden or exhaustion.”
The Glad Tidings of Isa (عليه السلام)
Prophet Isa (عليه السلام) was the last prophet to give the glad tidings of the coming of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This prophecy is mentioned in the Quran in Surah As-Saff:
“And remember when Isa, the son of Maryam, said: ‘O Children of Israel! I am Allah’s Messenger to you, confirming the Torah which came before me and giving glad tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name will be Ahmad.’”
Since Isa (عليه السلام) had announced these glad tidings, people across various eras eagerly awaited the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
The Passing of Abdullah
Before the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was born, his father Abdullah passed away. Previous scriptures had also mentioned that one of the signs of his prophethood would be that his father would pass away before his birth.
Abdullah had joined a trade caravan but fell ill during the journey. On their return, the caravan passed through Medina, where Abdullah stayed with his maternal relatives from the Banu Najjar tribe. He became severely ill and remained there for a month before passing away. He was buried in Medina.
When the caravan returned to Mecca without Abdullah, Abdul Muttalib learned about his son’s illness and that he was staying with his maternal relatives in Medina. He sent his son Zubair to bring him back. However, when Zubair reached Medina, Abdullah had already passed away.
Thus, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was born a few months after the death of his father, Abdullah.
To be continued… The Light of Prophethood Dawned | Seerat-e-Nabi (PBUH) – Part-3
