Prophet Muhammad SAW was born in the clan of Bani Hashim in the city of Mecca. He was born on Monday morning, the 12th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal, in the Year of the Elephant, which was April 22, 571 AD. His father’s name was Abdullah and his mother’s name was Aminah. Sadly, his father passed away before he was born, so Muhammad was born as an orphan.

When Aminah gave birth, she was assisted by a noble woman named Shifa bint Amr. After the birth, Aminah sent news to her father-in-law, Abdul Muttalib. With great happiness, Abdul Muttalib went to see his grandson. He carried the baby into the Ka‘bah, prayed for him, and gave him the name Muhammad, meaning “the praised one.” On the seventh day, Abdul Muttalib held a celebration and fed the people, as was the custom of the Arabs.

As a child, Muhammad was cared for by Ummu Aiman, a servant of his late father. Later, she became Muslim and migrated with the Prophet. Muhammad’s noble lineage could be traced back to Prophet Isma‘il, the son of Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon them both.

Muhammad belonged to the Quraysh tribe, the most respected tribe in Arabia. His great ancestor, Qusayy ibn Kilab, was the first leader of Quraysh who managed the Ka‘bah, organized the people of Mecca, and created Darun Nadwah, a meeting place for important decisions. Later, another ancestor, Hashim, became famous for his generosity. He was known for feeding people with bread and meat, and for starting trade journeys in winter to Yemen and in summer to Syria. From him came the noble clan called Bani Hashim.

Muhammad’s grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, was a great and generous leader. He rediscovered the Zamzam well after it had been buried for many years, and he always provided food for the poor and even animals. He was also the leader of Quraysh during the famous event of the Elephant Army, when Allah destroyed Abrahah’s forces who tried to attack the Ka‘bah. This miracle happened just two months before Muhammad was born.

Muhammad’s father, Abdullah, was the most beloved son of Abdul Muttalib. He was married to Aminah, a noble woman of Quraysh. Unfortunately, Abdullah passed away at the young age of 25 during a trade journey before ever meeting his son.

After his birth, Muhammad was first nursed by Thuwaybah, a servant freed by Abu Lahab out of happiness for the new baby. Later, according to Arab tradition, he was sent to live in the desert to grow strong and learn pure Arabic. Many women refused to take him because he was an orphan, but finally, Halimah al-Sa‘diyah accepted him. From the moment she took Muhammad, blessings entered her household. Her weak donkey became strong, her dry camel produced milk again, and her family had enough food despite the famine.

Muhammad grew healthy and strong in Halimah’s home. After two years, Halimah returned him to his mother but asked to keep him longer because she saw so much blessing in him. Aminah agreed, so he stayed with Halimah for several more years.

One day, while playing with other children, an amazing event happened: the splitting of the chest. The Angel Jibreel came, opened Muhammad’s chest, took out his heart, and removed a black part, saying, “This is the part of Satan within you.” Then he washed the heart with Zamzam water in a golden vessel and returned it to his chest. The other children ran to Halimah shouting, “Muhammad has been killed!” But when they found him, he was alive, though his face was pale. This was a sign that he was chosen and purified by Allah.

These early events showed the special protection and blessings of Allah upon Prophet Muhammad SAW. From his noble birth, his pure lineage, his caring foster mothers, and the miracles in his childhood, all of them prepared him to be the final Prophet and Messenger for all of mankind.