Instructions:
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Watch the video carefully and take clear, organized notes while watching.
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Review the concepts covered in the video and then attempt all the given exercises independently.
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If you feel stuck on any question, go back to your notes and re-watch the relevant part of the video before moving on.
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Do not skip difficult questions—use your notes to understand the method or concept step by step.
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Write down any questions or confusions in your notebook so you can ask the lecturer during the next class.
Good morning students. Today, we are going to learn about the early life of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, before he became a Prophet. These years were very important because they shaped his character and prepared him for his mission. Let’s go through the main stages of his life step by step.
The Prophet was born in the year 570 CE, the “Year of the Elephant,” when Allah protected the Ka‘bah from an invading army. He was born into the noble Quraysh tribe, but his father passed away before he was born, and his mother died when he was only six. This meant he grew up as an orphan, first under his grandfather, and later his uncle Abu Talib. Being an orphan gave him empathy for the poor and vulnerable, and it also taught him to depend only on Allah.
As a child, he lived with his foster mother Halimah in the desert, where he learned pure Arabic, grew strong and healthy, and developed patience and endurance. You may recall the famous story of angels opening his chest and washing his heart, symbolizing his spiritual purity. From early on, Allah was preparing him for something special.
As he grew older, Muhammad, peace be upon him, became known for his honesty and truthfulness. People called him “al-Amin,” the trustworthy, and “al-Sadiq,” the truthful. Unlike many around him, he never bowed to idols or joined in immoral behavior like gambling or drinking. Imagine living in a society where everyone around you is doing wrong, but you stand firm—that was the strength of his character.
For work, he started as a shepherd, which taught him patience and responsibility. Later, he became a trader, travelling to Syria and Yemen. His honesty in business was so impressive that people trusted him completely. Khadijah, a wealthy merchant, hired him for trade, and later, seeing his character, she married him. Their marriage was full of respect and support—Khadijah later became the first person to accept Islam.
Before Prophethood, Muhammad also took part in community efforts like the Pact of Virtue, which aimed to protect the weak and ensure justice. He once said he would never exchange his participation in that pact for the best of camels, showing how much he valued fairness and justice.
Finally, the Prophet had a deep love for reflection and spirituality. He often went alone to the Cave of Hira, away from the noise of Makkah, to think about life, creation, and the problems in society. These retreats showed his search for truth and prepared him to receive revelation.
So, to summarize students: the Prophet’s early life—his orphanhood, his honesty, his work as a shepherd and trader, his marriage, his role in society, and his spiritual reflection—all shaped him into the perfect person to receive Allah’s message. His life before Prophethood is full of lessons: honesty, patience, justice, and devotion to Allah. And these lessons are just as relevant to us today.
