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Monk meets the Orphan Boy

 Guardian is GOD

Story of a little Orphan Boy born in Arabia who was provided constant shade by clouds under the hot desert Sun.

In order to know Prophet Muhammad better, here is brief information on his life prior to his Prophethood?

Prophet Muhammad was, from his birth, brought up in the sight and under the care of God

deprived of his father while still in his mothers womb. He had to put all his trust in God and completely submit himself to Him. He visited his father's tomb in Madina years later, cried his heart out, and on his return, said: I wept for my father and entreated God to forgive him.

With the death of his father, God deprived him of parental support and directed him to the realization that there is no deity but God; He has no partners whatsoever.

He had to put all his trust in God. He was able to enjoy the protection of his grandfather and uncle to some extent, but he came to perceive that his real guardian was God. Behind every phenomenon and every cause and effect, he could discern the hand of the Single Creator of the universe and of causes. The Oneness of God would be manifested to him in the light of Divine Unity.


Your Lord shall give you, and you shall be satisfied. Did He not find you an orphan and shelter you!... Did He not find you needy and suffice you !As for the orphan, do not oppress him, and as for the beggar, scold him not. (al-Duha', 93:5-6, 8-10)

The future Prophet lost his father, & his mother, Amina, at an early age. When she died in the village of Abwa at age 25 or 26 on her way back from visiting her husband's tomb in Madina,

Muhammad was only six years old. Thus, he learned the pain of being left without parents. Indeed, there would be nothing he would not learn and no suffering he would not have to bear, since he was sent to teach everything to mankind and to be an example in every respect.

When Muhammad, peace and blessings, lost his parents,then his grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, a respected elder of Makka, protected him. For this reason, God saved Abd al-Muttalib from all forms of misfortune. He embraced his beloved grandson, and always offered him the seat of honor in his house. He felt that his grandson would grow up to save humankind.

Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, was so noble and well-mannered that his grandfather anticipated his Prophethood. He was not the first of his noble forefathers to do so. Ka'b ibn Luayy, who is thought by some to also be a Prophet, had predicted that the Last Messenger would be raised up from his own progeny. He mentioned him by name:

Suddenly the Prophet Muhammad will appear;
He will give tidings and is truthful in his tidings.
The honorable grandfather of Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, whom even the great army of Abraha could not bring to tears, wept bitterly when he took to his deathbed. His son, Abu Talib, came to him and asked why he was weeping. The answer came: I am weeping because I will no longer be able to embrace Muhammad'. He added: I am afraid something might happen to my Matchless Pearl. I entrust him to you for safekeeping.'
Abu Talib's protection
Abu Talib assumed Muhammad's protection and, in return, his son, Ali, would be blessed with being the father of the Prophet Muhammad's progeny. After Prophethood, the Messenger of God said to Ali, may God be pleased with him: The progeny of every other Prophet descended from himself, but my progeny is to be descended from you. Ali would be the father and the greatest of all saints to come until the Last Day as the representatives of the Prophet's sainthood. This is the reward given to Abu Talib for helping Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings.
Trade caravans

Abu Talib protected Muhammad, upon him be peace and blessings, with utmost care. As related by historians and biographers such as Ibn Ishaq, Abu Talib took his nephew to Syria in a trade caravan, when he was ten or twelve years old. They stopped somewhere near Damascus and left him, as he was the youngest among them, to watch over the caravan. The caravan was being carefully observed by a monk from his nearby monastery, one who had been expecting the arrival of the Last Prophet, upon him be peace and blessings. The monk, named Bahira, had seen a cloud following the caravan, stopping when the caravan stopped, starting when the caravan started to shade one amongst them.

 This is a special characteristic of Prophets. The expected Prophet must be in that caravan,' Bahria thought.

When the caravan stopped near his monastery, Bahira sent for the tradesmen and invited them for a meal. He noticed the cloud was still hovering over the caravan. Bahira asked Abu Talib if someone was left behind. Abu Talib answered that there was only a young boy, whom they had left to watch over their things. The monk asked them to fetch him. When Muhammad came, Bahira took Abu Talib to one side and asked him about his relationship with the boy. He is my son,' Abu Talib answered, but Bahira disputed this, saying: He cannot be your son. According to our books, his father must have died before his birth.' Then he added: Let me give you this advice. Take this boy back immediately. The Jews are envious. If they recognize him, they will harm him.' Abu Talib made an excuse to the other members of the caravan and returned to Makka with his nephew.

Orphan story continued below