Who Took Care of the Prophet (PBUH) After the Death of His Mother Aminah?
من تكفل برعاية الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم بعد وفاة أمه آمنة؟
His grandfather Abd al-Muttalib took care of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) after the death of his mother Aminah, and he was very affectionate towards him. His grandfather died when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was eight years old.
تكفل برعاية الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم بعد وفاة أمه آمنة، جده عبد المطلب، وكان يحنو عليه، ثم توفي جده وكان عمر الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم، ثماني سنوات.
1. Abd al-Muttalib Assumes Direct Guardianship | تولي عبد المطلب كفالة حفيده اليتيم بحنان أبوي
After Aminah's death his grandfather took him in. Al-Waqidi's report, which Ibn Kathir quotes, says Abd al-Muttalib drew him close with a tenderness he had not shown his own sons, kept him near, and let him in whenever he was alone or asleep.
أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَىٰ (سورة الضحى: 6)
بعد وفاة آمنة ضمه جده إليه، وفي رواية الواقدي التي أوردها ابن كثير أنه رق عليه رقة لم يرقها على ولده، وكان يقربه منه ويدنيه، ويدخل عليه إذا خلا وإذا نام.
2. The Special Rug Beside the Kaaba | إجلاسه على فراش السيادة في فناء الكعبة المشرفة
Ibn Ishaq reports that a mat was laid for Abd al-Muttalib in the shade of the Kaaba, and his sons sat around it out of respect, none of them on it. The boy would come and sit on it; when his uncles moved to pull him back, Abd al-Muttalib would say: "Leave my son, for by Allah he will have a great standing," then seat him beside him and stroke his back.
وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ (سورة الشرح: 4)
قال ابن إسحاق: كان يوضع لعبد المطلب فراش في ظل الكعبة، وكان بنوه يجلسون حوله لا يجلس عليه أحد منهم إجلالًا له، فكان رسول الله ﷺ يأتي وهو غلام فيجلس عليه، فيأخذه أعمامه ليؤخروه، فيقول عبد المطلب: دعوا ابني فوالله إن له لشأنًا، ثم يجلسه معه ويمسح ظهره بيده.
3. Never Without Him at Meals | لا يأكل إلا وحفيده معه
Al-Waqidi's report adds that Abd al-Muttalib would not eat until the boy was brought to him, and that he told Umm Ayman (may Allah be pleased with her), who looked after him: "Barakah, do not neglect my son."
وفي رواية الواقدي أن عبد المطلب كان لا يأكل طعامًا إلا قال: عليّ بابني، فيؤتى به إليه، وقال لأم أيمن وكانت تحضنه: يا بركة، لا تغفلي عن ابني.
4. Two Years in His Grandfather's Care | سنتان في كفالة جده
He was in his grandfather's care for two years, from six to eight: Ibn Ishaq says Abd al-Muttalib died when the Prophet ﷺ was eight, and Ibn Kathir gives the same ages in his commentary on 93:6.
بقي في كفالة جده سنتين، من السادسة إلى الثامنة؛ قال ابن إسحاق: فلما بلغ رسول الله ﷺ ثمان سنين هلك جده عبد المطلب، وبمثل ذلك قال ابن كثير في تفسير سورة الضحى.
5. The Deathbed Bequest to Abu Talib | الوصية الأخيرة عند الوفاة وتسليم الأمانة لأبي طالب
When death came to Abd al-Muttalib, he charged Abu Talib with looking after the Prophet ﷺ and protecting him, and he was buried at al-Hajun. Ibn Ishaq explains the choice: Abu Talib was the full brother of the Prophet's father Abdullah, both sons of Fatimah bint Amr.
إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا (سورة النساء: 58)
لما حضرت عبد المطلب الوفاة أوصى أبا طالب بحفظ رسول الله ﷺ وحياطته، ثم مات ودفن بالحجون. وقال ابن إسحاق: وكان أبو طالب شقيق أبيه عبد الله، أمهما فاطمة بنت عمرو بن عائذ.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Who assumed custody of Prophet Muhammad after his mother died?
His paternal grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib.
Where did Abd al-Muttalib seat young Muhammad to show his affection?
On his own mat in the shade of the Kaaba, where none of his sons sat, according to Ibn Ishaq.
What did Abd al-Muttalib tell the uncles when they tried to move the boy?
He told them to leave his son, for by Allah he would have a great standing, according to Ibn Ishaq.
How old was the Prophet when his grandfather passed away?
He was approximately eight years old.