1. Lineage
Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born of the noblest lineage. Quraysh was considered the most honoured tribe, and within that, Banu Hashim was the most distinguished. Therefore, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was descended from the best of the best. Why is this important when Islam does not rely on one’s lineage or family connections to establish one’s worth? His noble background meant that he was able to have more impact on people when spreading the message, because his tribe was already well respected and authoritative in Makkah. In fact, it is noteworthy that all the messengers were descended from the best of lineages, as this gave them a position of dignity and credibility when they spread the message. There is a difference between how a message is received when it is delivered by a person from a disadvantaged area compared to on one from a prestigious neighbourhood.
Even in our time, people of honourable descent as regarded more highly by society. Compare an event which King Charles is be attending. There would be a surge in the numbers of attendees as people would want to be there. Without any advertisement, the hall would be packed out and bursting at the seams. We can understand this in a day and age of influencers, that the one who has both family honour as well as decency and good character, they have strong combination. The Prophet (peace be upon him) was a Real Influencer – not just a superficial celebrity who had created hype around his persona, with masks and soundbites to attain likes. He was genuine.
In the famous encounter between Abu Sufyan and Heraclius, the Byzantine Emperor, as mentioned in Sahih Bukhari. Abu Sufyan, who was not yet a Muslim at the time, was summoned to answer questions about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Heraclius began by asking his translator to inquire about the Prophet’s lineage. Abu Sufyan replied, “He belongs to a noble family amongst us.”
Heraclius then instructed his translator to convey, “I asked you about his lineage, and your reply was that he belonged to a noble family. In fact, all the apostles came from the noblest lineage of their nations.”
2. Orphan
Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an orphan from early on. He lost his father while his mother was two months pregnant. He lost his mother at six years old and his grandfather, Abdul Mutalib, at eight years old. As he experienced a series of losses at an early age, it made him more empathetic to the feelings of orphans and the poor. When you lose the breadwinner of the family, it makes you poor. This is the reason why the nursing mothers from Banu Sa’d rejected him, because they assumed an orphan would not be affluent. This early exposure to hardship meant he had a genuine connection with the struggles of vulnerable people in society. The Prophet (peace be upon him) could feel their pain, in contrast to wealthy MPs from privileged backgrounds who lecture poor people and claim they feel their plight when they never experience it. A leader who has experienced pain is far better equipped to for the role. Allah wanted His messenger to be to relate to the disadvantaged in society.
3. Banu Sa’d
Just as people today send their children to boarding schools to ensure they receive a good education and grow up in a beneficial environment, the people during the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) would send their babies to the desert during their formative years. The primary reason for this was the purity of the language spoken in the desert. Unlike the cities, where the constant influx of people led to a mixing of dialects, the desert offered an environment where the Arabic language remained untainted and eloquent.
This is why, later in life, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke, his upbringing among the Banu Sa’d was evident in his refined accent and eloquent style of speaking. He spoke with the best and purest form of the Arabic language. Allah had prepared him for his role in every aspect. The food he consumed during his time in the desert was of good quality, the air was clean and fresh, and the environment allowed him to grow healthy and strong.
The purity and wholesome nature of his early years not only contributed to his physical well-being but also provided him with clarity of mind. These formative experiences shaped his character and abilities, leaving a lasting impact that he carried with him throughout his life. Whatever you experience during your foundational years significantly influences the person you become.
4. Shepherd and trader
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) worked as a shepherd in his youth, and this experience is significant. It taught him responsibility, patience, and the ability to care for others. Shepherding required constant vigilance, decision-making, and accountability, as the safety and well-being of the flock depended entirely on the shepherd.
Interestingly, various research papers suggest that individuals who achieve success in life are often those who were entrusted with responsibility from an early age. In contrast, those who were overly pampered as children often lack the resilience and practical skills needed to navigate challenges effectively. This early exposure to responsibility helped shape the Prophet’s character, inculcating qualities such as discipline, compassion, and dependability—traits that later played a critical role in his mission as a leader and guide for humanity.
Pampering children, out of love, is actually detrimental to their development. The opposite approach—instilling responsibility, discipline, and self-reliance—is far more beneficial. When children are entrusted with meaningful tasks and are taught to manage their own affairs, they grow into capable, confident individuals better equipped to navigate the complexities of life.
All prophets spent a portion of their lives as shepherds as preparation for their future roles. If we were to spend a day with a shepherd, we would learn many life lessons. Experiencing it firsthand you would gain a flavour of how calm and gentle shepherds are, and how hard they work, nurturing their flock.
Based on the talk delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim from on the book of Al-Siba’i (may Allah have mercy on him) to the Umrah group – Dec 2024