Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the final Messenger of Allah, came into this world with a noble lineage and pure parentage. His father and mother were both from respected families in Quraysh, the tribe that held guardianship of the Kaʿbah in Makkah. Understanding the lives of his parents is important, because it shows us how Allah prepared the environment for His beloved Messenger, even before his birth.
His Father – ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib:
The father of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was ʿAbdullāh, son of ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, the leader of Quraysh. ʿAbdullāh was a young man known for his good character, honesty, and purity. He came from the respected family of Banū Hāshim, a noble clan of Quraysh.
Tragically, ʿAbdullāh passed away before the Prophet ﷺ was even born. He had set out on a trade journey to Syria (Sham), but on the return he fell ill and stayed behind in Yathrib (later called Madinah), where he passed away. He was buried there, in the land that would later become the city of the Prophet ﷺ after Hijrah.
At the time of his death, ʿAbdullāh was only about 25 years old, and Āminah was carrying the unborn child, Muhammad ﷺ, in her womb. This meant the Prophet ﷺ was born an orphan, without ever seeing his father.
The passing of his father before his birth carried deep wisdom. The Prophet ﷺ grew up under the direct protection and care of Allah, free from the worldly influence of a father figure, and so his training and upbringing were unique. It also made him more empathetic towards orphans, and later he emphasized kindness to orphans as one of the greatest deeds in Islam.
His Mother – Āminah bint Wahb:
The mother of the Prophet ﷺ was Āminah, daughter of Wahb ibn ʿAbd Manāf, from the clan of Banū Zuhrah of Quraysh. She was known as a woman of purity, nobility, and dignity. Among Quraysh women, she was respected for her character and background.
It was from her womb that the light of the Prophet ﷺ entered this world, and through her, Allah fulfilled the prayer of Prophet Ibrāhīm (AS) for a messenger to be raised in Makkah.
After giving birth to Muhammad ﷺ in the Year of the Elephant, she nurtured him with love and care. However, when the Prophet ﷺ was only six years old, his mother also passed away. This happened when she took him on a journey to Yathrib to visit the grave of his father. On the way back, in a place called Abwāʾ, she fell ill and died.
With this, Muhammad ﷺ was left a complete orphan — without a father or mother. Yet Allah’s plan was greater: He placed the Prophet under the guardianship of his grandfather, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, and later his uncle, Abū Ṭālib.
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The Wisdom Behind His Orphanhood:
The fact that both parents of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ died while he was young was not without reason. Among the wisdoms:
1. Direct Care from Allah – The Prophet ﷺ was protected and nurtured by Allah Himself, free from unnecessary worldly attachments.
2. Compassion for Orphans – Experiencing the loss of parents, he knew the pain of loneliness and vulnerability. This is why he encouraged Muslims to care for orphans, promising closeness to him in Paradise for those who support them.
3. A Pure Lineage – Despite being an orphan, his lineage remained noble and respected. Both his father and mother belonged to Quraysh’s honored families.
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Lessons from the Lives of His Parents:
We learn that greatness is not dependent on wealth or social status, but on character and divine selection.
The Prophet ﷺ being born without a father and later losing his mother teaches us resilience, patience, and trust in Allah’s wisdom during hardships.
Their noble character shows how Allah prepared a pure household and family background for His last Messenger.
CONCLUSION:
The father of the Prophet ﷺ was ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, and his mother was Āminah bint Wahb. Both came from noble Quraysh families, respected for their purity and dignity. Their early deaths meant that the Prophet ﷺ was raised as an orphan, but this was part of Allah’s divine wisdom, shaping him into a man of deep compassion, patience, and reliance upon Allah.
When Muslims remember the parents of the Prophet ﷺ, it is not only about names, but about understanding how Allah prepared the best environment for the coming of His beloved Messenger. Through their story, we are reminded of the value of noble character, the importance of family legacy, and the lessons of patience in the face of loss.
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Reflection Questions:
1. What lessons can we learn from the Prophet ﷺ being born an orphan?
2. How did the deaths of his parents prepare him for the mission of prophethood?
3. What do the lives of ʿAbdullāh and Āminah teach us about the importance of character and purity over wealth?
4. How does Islam emphasize kindness to orphans, and how is this connected to the Prophet’s own childhood?
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