During the year 575 in the month Gregorian Calendar, our Venerable Master of the Universe (PBUH) was five years old when his wet nurse Halima returned him to his mother.

The pain of having been separated from her husband, Abdullah, who passed away during the first months of their marriage, sat in Halima’s heart like a punch having resulted from torture. Even if the degree of alleviation was small, her only son, Muhammad (PBUH), was her only consolation to this pain. Hazrat Amina tried her best to hug her son with the utmost affection and compassion so that he would not feel the pain of being orphaned.

Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was the rose, light, blessing, peace, and happiness of his modest Meccan home. Even at a young age, he never refrained from helping his mother. In fact, his saintly mother was amazed by his diligence in cleanliness. He was not only helpful and considerate towards his mother, but towards everyone he knew. He would take pleasure in helping his friends. For this reason, his friends loved and respected him, and would yearn to spend time with him. Yes, God Almighty was raising the one whom He was going to appoint as His messenger and who would uphold the highest and holiest duties of Prophethood in the best way possible and was disciplining him in the most excellent manner.

The Visit to His Father’s Grave

Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was six years old when the desire to visit Medina had emerged within Hazrat Amina. Her purpose was both to see the sons of Adiyy bin Najjar, who were her maternal uncles through Abdumuttalib’s mother, and to visit the grave of her fortunate husband who had been buried there. Preparations were made with this intention in mind. When the day came, she set off from Medina with her only son and his nanny, Umm Ayman. Although Hazrat Amina’s world was supposed to be filled with cheer and joy, it was covered with grief, instead. She kept turning her head to look back at Mecca as if she was never going to return to the sacred city and the holy home where this Sun of Happiness was born.

They arrived in Medina after completing their tiresome journey that occurred during the hottest days of the season. They visited the home of Nabigha, who was the son of our Holy Prophet’s paternal uncle. Hazrat Amina collapsed by her husband’s grave that was in the courtyard of this home in the midst of tears. Her teardrops abundantly watered the soil of Abdullah’s grave. At the sight of this scene, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) felt the pain of orphanhood within his soul for the first time. He, too, sprinkled his holy tears upon his honorable father’s grave. It was as if these tears were being presented to Hazrat Abdullah in place of a bouquet of roses.

Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) Captured the Attention of Jewish Scholars

On one of the lovely days during his visit to Medina, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) was sitting in front of the door of the home that they were visiting with his nanny, Umm Ayman. Two Jews clothed in religious garments were passing by and immediately focused their attention on him. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) went inside as if he were bothered by these stares. The Jews did not walk on. Instead, they approached Umm Ayman and asked, “What is this child’s name?” Umm Ayman did not know them; therefore, she considered the possibility that they might have malevolent intentions and so, she said, “Why do you ask?”

The men replied in an assurance and confidence giving evoking manner, “We asked because he looks like a child we know. Could you please tell us his name?” Umm Ayman then answered “His name is Ahmad’. The two looked and smiled at one another as if they had found what they were looking for. Then one of them pleaded, “Could you please call him here?” Umm Ayman was hesitant once more. Why did they want to see and speak with him so badly? However, the man helped to remove her doubt with this answer, “We do not think or want anything but goodness. We do not and will not harm anyone. We love him for the sake of Allah. Could you please call him here?” Umm Ayman did not reject their plea. She went inside. A little while later, she came outside with our Holy Prophet (PBUH). As soon as they saw him, the two Jews bowed all the way to the ground. Afterwards, they approached our Master (PBUH) in a manner that was mixed with both love and reverence. They eyed him from head to toe. Afterwards, they pulled up his clothing to see his back to look. Excitement and astonishment were seen in their eyes. Umm Ayman heard one of them telling the other, “This child is the Prophet of this community. He will migrate to this city. Many bloody wars, emigrations, and huge events are going to take place here”. After uttering these words, both men walked away. According to another narration, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) learned how to swim in a body of water called, “The Well of Bani Najjar” during this visit.