The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is a remarkable story of patience, resilience, and divine care. One of the most striking aspects of his early life is that he grew up as an orphan. His father, ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, passed away before he was born, and his mother, Āminah bint Wahb, died when he was only six years old. After losing both parents at such a tender age, the question arises: Who took care of him during this vulnerable stage of his life?
The answer shows us the divine arrangement of Allah, who ensured that His beloved Messenger ﷺ was never left without care, guidance, or protection.
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First Guardian – His Grandfather, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib:
After the death of his mother in Abwāʾ (a place between Makkah and Madinah), young Muhammad ﷺ was taken back to Makkah under the guardianship of his grandfather, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib.
ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib was not just an ordinary man; he was the respected leader of Quraysh, known for his generosity, wisdom, and authority. He was the one who had rediscovered the well of Zamzam after it had been buried for centuries, and he was the chief custodian of the Kaʿbah.
Despite his old age, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib treated the young Muhammad ﷺ with great love and care. Some narrations mention that he would make him sit on his special seat near the Kaʿbah, a place usually reserved only for him, and would say, “This child will have a great future.” His kindness showed that he recognized something extraordinary in his grandson.
However, the joy of living with his grandfather did not last long. Just two years later, when Muhammad ﷺ was eight years old, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib also passed away. Before his death, he entrusted the care of the boy to his son, Abū Ṭālib, the Prophet’s uncle.
Second Guardian – His Uncle, Abū Ṭālib:
After the death of ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, the responsibility of caring for Muhammad ﷺ fell to his uncle Abū Ṭālib, the brother of the Prophet’s father. Abū Ṭālib was not the wealthiest of Quraysh, but he was known for his generosity, loyalty, and sense of honor.
Abū Ṭālib loved Muhammad ﷺ deeply and raised him as one of his own children. He gave him shelter, food, protection, and emotional support. When Muhammad ﷺ grew older, he accompanied Abū Ṭālib on trade journeys, including one to Syria (Sham) where a Christian monk, Bahira, noticed signs of prophethood in the young boy.
The care of Abū Ṭālib continued even after Muhammad ﷺ received prophethood at the age of 40. Though Abū Ṭālib himself did not accept Islam, he supported and defended his nephew against the persecution of Quraysh. He stood by him during the boycott of the Muslims, endured hunger and hardship with him in the Valley of Abū Ṭālib, and refused to hand him over to the enemies of Islam.
This shows that Allah placed the Prophet ﷺ under the guardianship of a man who, despite not being Muslim, would remain loyal and protective, allowing Islam to grow and spread in its early years.
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Divine Care Above All:
While his grandfather and uncle provided physical and emotional support, the most important aspect of the Prophet’s care was that Allah Himself was his true Guardian. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Did He not find you an orphan and give you refuge?” (Surah Ad-Duḥā, 93:6)
This verse is a reminder that although Muhammad ﷺ lost his parents at a young age, Allah never abandoned him. Every stage of his life was carefully planned to prepare him for the mission of prophethood.
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Lessons from His Early Guardians:
1. Compassion for Orphans – The Prophet ﷺ knew the pain of being an orphan. This is why he emphasized care for orphans, saying:
“The one who cares for an orphan and myself will be together in Paradise like this,” and he joined his index and middle fingers (Bukhari).
2. Leadership Beyond Wealth – Abū Ṭālib was not rich, but he gave the Prophet ﷺ love and protection. This teaches us that true guardianship is not about money, but about care, loyalty, and responsibility.
3. Allah’s Protection – Even in the absence of his parents, Allah arranged the best guardians for His Messenger. This reminds us that when Allah has a plan for someone, He ensures the right people come into their life.
4. Resilience through Hardship – Experiencing loss early in life prepared the Prophet ﷺ for the great challenges he would later face as the Messenger of Allah.
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CONCLUSION:
After the death of his parents, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was first taken into the care of his grandfather, ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, who cherished him with love and honor. When his grandfather passed away, the responsibility shifted to his uncle, Abū Ṭālib, who became his protector, supporter, and lifelong guardian. Yet above all, it was Allah who was the true Guardian of His Prophet, guiding him at every stage of life and preparing him for his mission as the final Messenger.
The Prophet’s orphanhood is not a story of loss, but of divine care. It teaches us lessons of compassion, reliance on Allah, and the importance of standing by those who are vulnerable.
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Reflection Questions
1. How does the Prophet’s experience as an orphan inspire us to treat orphans and vulnerable children in society?
2. What can we learn from Abū Ṭālib’s loyalty and protection of the Prophet ﷺ, even though he was not Muslim?
3. How does Surah Ad-Duḥā remind us of Allah’s protection over His servants in difficult times?
4. In what ways did losing his parents and grandfather prepare the Prophet ﷺ for the challenges of leadership?
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