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 Abdul Muttalib took care of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) after the death of his mother Amna, 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
When six-year-old Muhammad was brought back to Mecca after Aminah's passing, his elderly grandfather Abd al-Muttalib, the paramount leader of Quraysh, welcomed him with open arms, overwhelmed by grief and tenderness for his deceased son Abdullah's only child.
أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَىٰ (سورة الضحى: 6)
استقبل سيد قريش عبد المطلب حفيده اليتيم بحنان بالغ وألم دفين على فقد ابنه الحبيب عبد الله، فضم الصبي إلى جناحه وأنزله منزلة رفيعة في قلبه وبيته تفوق منزلة أبنائه.
2. The Special Rug Beside the Kaaba | إجلاسه على فراش السيادة في فناء الكعبة المشرفة
According to the biographers, a special mat was spread in the shade of the Kaaba exclusively for Abd al-Muttalib, upon which none of his sons dared to sit out of veneration. Yet when young Muhammad approached, Abd al-Muttalib would seat the boy beside him, stroking his back with affectionate pride.
وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ (سورة الشرح: 4)
كان يُفرش لعبد المطلب فراش خاص في ظل الكعبة تعظيماً لسيادته، ولا يجلس عليه أحد من أبنائه هيبة له. فإذا جاء الصبي محمد جلس عليه، فيمنعه أعمامه فيقول جده: دعوا ابني، فوالله إن له لشأناً عظيماً!
3. Discernment of a Magnificent Destiny | فراسة الجد الصادقة واستشراف المستقبل العظيم
Abd al-Muttalib possessed clear intuition that young Muhammad was destined for unparalleled greatness. Whenever the uncles tried to gently pull the boy away from his seat of honor, the grandfather would say: "Leave my son alone, for by Allah, he has a tremendous future ahead of him."
وَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا (سورة الطور: 48)
رأى عبد المطلب بفراسته ونور بصيرته دلائل النبوة والمجد في محيا حفيده؛ فكان لا يأكل طعاماً إلا إذا حضر الصبي بين يديه، ويستأنس بحديثه ويشعر بالبركة في قربه.
4. Two Years of Affection and Stability | سنتان من الرعاية الكريمة والاستقرار النفسي
For two crucial childhood years, from age six to eight, Abd al-Muttalib provided young Muhammad with emotional security, dignity, and elevated social standing in Mecca, shielding him from the isolation often experienced by fatherless children.
وَوَجَدَكَ عَائِلًا فَأَغْنَىٰ (سورة الضحى: 8)
أمضى النبي ﷺ سنتين مباركتين في كنف جده من سن السادسة إلى الثامنة، وجد خلالهما دفء الرعاية وعزة المكانة، مما حفظ نفسه الشريفة من الانكسار وهيأه لتحمل الشدائد.
5. The Deathbed Bequest to Abu Talib | الوصية الأخيرة عند الوفاة وتسليم الأمانة لأبي طالب
When Abd al-Muttalib, by then over eighty according to the reports, felt death approaching, his primary concern was the future of eight-year-old Muhammad. On his deathbed, he entrusted the boy's custody specifically to his son Abu Talib, Abdullah's full brother.
إِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا (سورة النساء: 58)
لما حضرت الوفاة عبد المطلب وقد جاوز الثمانين في الروايات، كان همه الأكبر حفظ حفيده اليتيم؛ فجمع أبناءه وعهد بكفالته وصيانته خصيصاً إلى أبي طالب شقيق عبد الله لأمه وأبيه.
Scholarly Insight: Abd al-Muttalib's loving guardianship illustrates how Allah prepares mentors and protectors to surround His chosen servants even in times of profound family loss. Read more in the tafsir of Surah Ad-Duha.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Who assumed custody of Prophet Muhammad after his mother died?
His paternal grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, the foremost leader of Quraysh.
Where did Abd al-Muttalib seat young Muhammad to show his affection?
He seated him upon his own special rug in the shade of the Kaaba, where no one else was permitted to sit.
What did Abd al-Muttalib tell the uncles when they tried to move the boy?
He said: "Leave my son alone, for by Allah, he has a tremendous future ahead of him."
How old was the Prophet when his grandfather passed away?
He was approximately eight years old.
Prepared by Eng. Ghada Homad, founder of IslamFAQ, researched and written in consultation with qualified scholars, reviewed by Professor Khaled Jassem Al-Houli, Associate Professor of Comparative Jurisprudence and Islamic Politics, Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies, University of Kuwait. Read more about the authors and this project →