The correct answer is 12 years. The journey of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) to Syria in the company of his uncle, Abu Talib, is a pivotal event in Islamic history that marks the first public recognition of his future divine mission. This... Read More
The correct answer is 12 years. The journey of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) to Syria in the company of his uncle, Abu Talib, is a pivotal event in Islamic history that marks the first public recognition of his future divine mission. This expedition took place during his childhood, specifically when he reached the age of twelve. At this time, the Prophet (SAW) was under the guardianship of Abu Talib, who had taken him in after the passing of his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib. Abu Talib, a respected merchant of the Quraysh tribe, was preparing for a significant trade caravan to the Levant, and despite the hardships of the desert trek, he decided to take the young Muhammad (SAW) along due to the deep bond of affection between them.
In the pre-Islamic era, the economy of Makkah revolved around the "Journeys of Winter and Summer." The Quraysh would travel south to Yemen in the winter and north to Syria in the summer. These were not mere business trips; they were massive cultural and economic undertakings involving hundreds of camels and many of the city’s most prominent figures. For a twelve-year-old boy, this journey was an introduction to the vast world beyond the Hijaz, exposing him to different cultures, landscapes, and religions that flourished within the Byzantine Empire's borders.
The caravan eventually reached Busra, an ancient city located in modern-day Syria that served as a major commercial hub for merchants coming from Arabia. It was here that the caravan halted near a monastery inhabited by a Christian monk named Bahira. Bahira was a scholar of the ancient scriptures and lived a life of quiet contemplation, rarely interacting with passing traders. However, on this particular occasion, Bahira witnessed something that compelled him to break his isolation.
As the Quraysh caravan approached, Bahira observed two distinct miracles from his vantage point. First, he noticed a small cloud that seemed to follow the caravan, staying directly above the young Muhammad (SAW) to provide constant shade from the scorching desert sun. Second, when the travelers rested under a withered tree, its branches were seen to bow down to offer shade to the young boy. Recognizing these as the specific signs mentioned in his scriptures regarding the coming of the final Prophet, Bahira invited the entire group to a feast.
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