Mauao Man

Muhammad: The Man, The Myth, The Messenger

Part 1: Muhammad’s Early Life — From Birth to Marriage (570–595 AD)

Introduction: A Child Born into Uncertainty

Muhammad is one of the most influential figures in history — the founder of Islam, a prophet, a statesman, and a military leader. But before he became a prophet, he was simply Muhammad ibn Abdullah, a child born into a world of tribal conflict, ancient traditions, and religious diversity.

But who was this man before he became a prophet? What do we actually know about his early life?

This first post in our series explores Muhammad’s life from his birth around 570 AD to his marriage to Khadijah in 595 AD — a journey from orphaned child to respected merchant. We will carefully separate Islamic tradition from historical evidence, making it clear what we know, what is believed, and what is in question.

1. Muhammad’s Birth: A Child of the Quraysh (570 AD)

1. The Year of the Elephant — Myth or History?

According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad was born in 570 AD, a year known as the "Year of the Elephant."
Islamic sources claim that in this year, the Abyssinian Christian governor Abraha led an army, including a war elephant, to attack Mecca, but his army was destroyed by divine intervention.
This story is based on Surah Al-Fil (The Elephant) in the Quran (Quran 105:1-5).
Historical Problem: There is no independent evidence for this event outside Islamic tradition. No Abyssinian, Roman, or Persian sources mention such an attack.
Alternate Theories: Some historians suggest that this story may be a legend designed to emphasize Mecca’s divine protection. Others argue it could be a later myth created to glorify the Kaaba.

2. The Hashim Clan of the Quraysh Tribe:

Muhammad was born into the Hashim clan, a branch of the powerful Quraysh tribe that controlled Mecca (according to Islamic tradition).
The Quraysh were divided into several clans, including:
- Banu Hashim: Muhammad’s clan, considered a respected but not particularly wealthy branch.
- Banu Umayya: A wealthy and politically influential clan that would later dominate the early Islamic caliphate.
- Banu Makhzum: Another wealthy and influential clan.
The Quraysh were the custodians of the Kaaba, a sacred shrine that housed the idols of various Arabian gods, making them the religious and social leaders of Mecca.
Historical Problem: The idea that the Quraysh controlled a major trading city is based on Islamic sources and is not supported by independent historical evidence.

3. An Orphan’s Struggle: The Loss of His Parents

Muhammad’s father, Abdullah, died before his birth, leaving him an orphan from the start.
His mother, Aminah, died when he was around six years old, further deepening his isolation.
Orphaned, Muhammad was first taken in by his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, a respected elder of the Quraysh.
When Abdul Muttalib died, Muhammad was taken in by his uncle, Abu Talib, who became his protector and mentor.
The Role of Abu Talib:
- Abu Talib was a respected leader of the Hashim clan but struggled financially.
- Despite his poverty, he raised Muhammad as his own son, teaching him the ways of the Quraysh and introducing him to the world of trade.
- Abu Talib would later become one of Muhammad’s strongest supporters, even when the Quraysh opposed Muhammad’s message.

4. A Simple Childhood in the Desert:

According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad spent part of his childhood among the Bedouin tribes, a common practice for Quraysh children.
He was cared for by a Bedouin wet nurse named Halima Saadia, who took him to live with her tribe in the desert.
Living among the Bedouins was believed to:
- Strengthen a child’s health.
- Teach them the purest form of the Arabic language.
- Instill them with the values of Bedouin hospitality and courage.
The Story of the "Splitting of the Chest":
- Islamic tradition describes a miraculous event during Muhammad’s childhood.
- Two angels are said to have appeared, split his chest open, and cleansed his heart of any impurity.
- Historical Problem: This is a purely religious story with no historical basis and is not mentioned in the Quran.

2. A Young Merchant: Muhammad the Trader (580–595 AD)

1. A Career in Trade: Learning the Merchant’s Craft

As a young man, Muhammad worked as a merchant, managing caravans for wealthy Quraysh traders.
He was known for his honesty and integrity, earning the nickname "Al-Amin" (the trustworthy) — a reputation that would serve him throughout his life.
He traveled with caravans to Syria, Yemen, and possibly other markets, learning about the wider world.
Religious and Cultural Exposure:
- These journeys exposed Muhammad to the beliefs and practices of Jews, Christians, and pagans.
- He may have encountered Jewish traders in Yemen, Christian monks in Syria, and the diverse religious practices of the Arabian tribes.
Historical Problem: The details of Muhammad’s travels come from later Islamic sources, with no independent historical evidence.

2. Encounter with Khadijah: From Merchant to Husband

Muhammad’s honesty and business skills caught the attention of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, a wealthy widow who hired him to manage her trading caravans.
According to Islamic tradition:
- Muhammad led a successful trading expedition to Syria on her behalf.
- His fair dealings and strong character impressed Khadijah, leading her to propose marriage to him.
- Despite being around 15 years older, Khadijah became Muhammad’s first and most loyal wife.
The Marriage of Muhammad and Khadijah (595 AD):
- This was a turning point in Muhammad’s life, giving him financial stability and emotional support.
- Khadijah became his closest confidant and would later be his first supporter when he began preaching Islam.
- They had several children together, including Fatimah, who would marry Muhammad’s cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib.
Historical Problem: The details of their relationship, including Khadijah’s proposal, come from Islamic sources written over a century after their deaths.

3. The World of Mecca: A City of Idols, Pilgrimage, and Trade

1. The Kaaba: A Shrine of Many Gods

According to Islamic tradition, the Kaaba in Mecca was a sacred shrine that housed hundreds of idols representing the gods of various Arabian tribes.
Among the most important deities were:
- Hubal: The chief god of Mecca.
- Al-Lat, Al-Uzza, and Manat: The three goddess daughters of Allah, worshipped by the Quraysh.
The Quraysh tribe served as the custodians of the Kaaba, gaining wealth from the pilgrimage trade.

2. The Myth of Mecca as a Major Trade Hub

According to Islamic tradition, Mecca was a wealthy trading center, where merchants traveled with caravans between Yemen and Syria.
But independent historical evidence does not support this claim:
- Mecca is not mentioned in any ancient trade records.
- Its location is far from the major trade routes of the ancient world.
- Scholars like Patricia Crone argue that Mecca was a small, local pilgrimage site rather than a major trading city.

Conclusion: A Man of Character, But a Man of Mystery

From his birth around 570 AD to his marriage to Khadijah in 595 AD, Muhammad’s life was marked by simplicity, honesty, and a growing reputation as a trustworthy merchant. He was an orphan who rose to respectability, a trader who married a wealthy woman, and a man who earned the admiration of his community.

But almost everything we know about this period of his life comes from Islamic sources, written long after his death, often with a clear theological agenda.

What is historical fact, and what is religious tradition? That is the question we must keep asking.

The Mecca Controversy: Was It Really a Major Trading Hub?
Before Islam: A History of the Middle East (0 AD to 610 AD)
History of Islam in New Zealand: From the First Arrivals to Today
Islam in Australia: From Early Arrivals to a Major Minority

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.