Lesson: The Kind Boy of Makkah
A gentle goodbye to his mother
When Muhammad ﷺ was about six years old, his kind mother Aminah became ill. Sadly, she passed away while they were on a journey together. Now the little boy had no mother and no father to hold his hand.
That was a very hard thing for a young child. But Allah, who is the Most Loving, did not forget him. Allah asks in the Qur'an: did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter? An orphan is a child whose parents have passed away. Allah promises to take special care of orphans — and He took the very best care of Muhammad ﷺ.
His loving grandfather
After his mother passed away, Muhammad ﷺ went to live with his grandfather, Abdul-Muttalib. We met this kind grandfather in our last story — he was the one who chose the beautiful name Muhammad. Abdul-Muttalib loved the little boy dearly and kept him close by his side.
But when Muhammad ﷺ was about eight years old, his dear grandfather passed away too. In only a few years, the young boy had said goodbye to his mother and his grandfather. Still, Allah had already chosen someone else to love him and look after him.
A kind uncle named Abu Talib
That someone was his uncle, Abu Talib. Before Abdul-Muttalib passed away, he asked Abu Talib to take good care of the boy — and Abu Talib did just that. He loved Muhammad ﷺ like one of his own children. He kept him close, protected him, and made sure he was safe and cared for. Even though Muhammad ﷺ had lost so much, Allah had given him a warm and loving home.
A kind and hardworking boy
As Muhammad ﷺ grew up, everyone could see how special he was. He was honest and always told the truth. He was gentle and kind to everyone, big or small. And he was a hardworking boy who never sat about being lazy.
To help his family, young Muhammad ﷺ worked as a shepherd. A shepherd looks after sheep, keeping them safe and taking them to good grass and water. Later, the Prophet ﷺ told his friends that he used to look after the sheep of the people of Makkah. Looking after sheep teaches a person to be patient, gentle and caring — and Allah was quietly getting Muhammad ﷺ ready to look after people one day too.
Let's remember
- What sad thing happened when he was about six? His mother Aminah passed away.
- Who cared for him next, and then also passed away? His grandfather Abdul-Muttalib.
- Which kind uncle then looked after him? Abu Talib.
- What job did young Muhammad ﷺ do? He was a shepherd, looking after sheep.
Muhammad ﷺ lost his mother and grandfather when he was young, but his uncle Abu Talib loved him, and Allah was always caring for him. He grew up honest, gentle and hardworking.