From his birth to the first revelation

Born in Makkah in 570 CE. His father ‘Abdullah died before his birth, his mother Aminah when he was six, his grandfather ‘Abd al-Muttalib when he was eight. His uncle Abu Talib raised him.

As a young man he was known by two names — al-Amin (the trustworthy) and as-Sadiq (the truthful). At twenty-five he married Khadijah (ra); their home was a lesson in mutual respect.

When the Ka‘bah was rebuilt and the tribes nearly came to blood over who would set the Black Stone in place, he spread a cloak, had every chief hold an edge, and set the stone himself. That wisdom was there from the beginning.

At forty, in the cave of Hira, Jibril came to him:

He came home trembling and told Khadijah (ra). She said: “Allah will never disgrace you. You keep ties of kinship, carry the burden of the weak, honour the guest and help those struck by hardship.” His character was the first witness.