Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 620 [Read full issue]
The Birth
Ibn Sad narrates that Aminah had a very easy pregnancy before giving birth to the future Prophet of Islam. She was reported to have said:
I did not feel that I was pregnant, nor did I find myself heavy because of it, as is customary for (pregnant) women to find themselves... But I saw a vision as I was between sleep and wakefulness. It said to me: 'Have you felt that you are pregnant?' and I replied that I did not know. But it continued: 'You are pregnant with (the future) chief and prophet of this nation'. Then it (the vision) left me until I was about to give birth. Then it returned (and commanded me to say): 'I put it (the child) under the protection and refuge of the One Who is eternally besought by all, from the evil and mischief of every envious person'. I used to say these words and respect them.
According to the majority of our sources, the Prophet, peace be upon him, was born on Monday, the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, the year of the Elephant (571 C.E.) only fifty five days after the unsuccessful expedition of Abrahah against Makkah. Aminah describes this historic moment as follows:
When it (the baby) was separated from me, a flood of light radiated from him which illuminated the entire horizon from the east to the west. [Ibn Sad]
The Prophet himself was reported to have said:
Just as I was born, my mother saw a light radiating from me which illuminated the palaces of Busra (Syria). [Ibn Sad]
The new baby was conspicuously healthy, good-looking and well-built. Besides his mother, the second person who rejoiced most at his birth was the ageing patriarch, Abd al-Muttalib, foremost chief of Makkah and the undisputed leader of Banu Hashim. He was reportedly so pleased with the new baby that he carried him to the Kabah where he voiced, in a passionate manner, an elaborate invocation of thanks and gratitude. He declared that the infant was to be named Muhammad, a name not then common among the Arabs.
Compiled From:
"Makkan Crucible" - Zakaria Bashier, pp. 49, 501