Background on Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad, and his marriage to Khadija.

What year was Prophet Muhammad born in?

570 AD

What tribe and clan was Prophet Muhammad in?

• Tribe - Quraysh

• Clan - Hashim

What was his family?

• His father Abdullah died before he was born.

• His mother Aminah died when he was 6.

• His paternal Grandfather Abd al-Muttalib looked after him, but he died when Muhammad was 8.

• Abu Talib - Muhammad’s uncle looked after him after his paternal grandfather died.

What were some of Muhammad’s early life experiences and characteristics?

• As Muhammad grew up, he was known to be spiritual and loved being around nature - he would often retreat to meditate.

• He became a Shepard as he grew up and had no formal education.

• He then became a tradesman - he was nicknamed ‘as-Sadiq al Amin’ - the truthful and trustworthy one, at the young age of 20.

Who was Khadija and how did she come to marry Muhammad?

• Khadija was one of the wealthiest businesswomen in Arabia.

• She was a widow and older than Muhammad (15 years)

• She had heard of Muhammad’s reputation, to test him she gave him goods to sell in Syria.

• A negotiation was taking place between Muhammad and a merchant and the merchant told Muhammad he would believe him if he swore on al-Lat and al-Uzza.

• Muhammad replied, ‘‘I consider Lat and Uzza, whom you worship, to be the meanest and most despicable things on the face of earth.’’

• Khadijah sent her friend to ask if Muhammad was interested in getting married but he was worried about his low status compared to hers.

• ‘‘Is Khadija prepared for this, when there is a world of difference between the conditions of my life and hers?’’

• In the end, after Muhammad spoke to his uncle and his clan, the marriage was agreed.