THE STORY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD - The Death of Aminah, the Mother of Rasulullah and Abdul Mutthalib, the Grandfather of Rasulullah

After living in the countryside of Banu Sa'ad, Muhammad was treated and lived with Aminah, his mother. When he was 6 years old, Aminah invited him to go to Yathrib (now Medina) to visit Abdullah's tomb, the father of Rasulullah. They traveled about 500 kilometers to depart from Mecca to Medina. They were accompanied by Ummu Ayman (a slave from Abdullah's legacy) and financed by Abdul Mutthalib. They were in Medina for one month. Muhammad was introduced to his grandfather's brothers from his mother's side, namely the Najjar family.

They visited the house where Abdullah died and his tomb. It was shown that Muhammad learned about the events of his father so that he became an orphan. It was a sorrowful event for the person Abdullah left behind. After migrating (Hijrah) during the prophetic period, Prophet Muhammad also told his friends about the story of the first trip to Medina with his mother.

After the business was finished, they returned home to Mecca. They came home with two camels that had brought them from Mecca. But during the trip, Aminah fell ill and finally died in Abwa 'village which was located between the cities of Mecca and Medina. Aminah was buried in the village. Muhammad and Umm Ayman continued their journey back to Mecca with grief.

Surah Adh Dhuha verse 6:

أَلَمۡ يَجِدۡكَ يَتِيمٗا فَ‍َٔاوَىٰ  ٦

6.  Did He not find you an orphan and give [you] refuge?

Muhammad lost the person who gave birth to him. Only a few days he saw the tomb of his father who had left him while still in the womb, now he saw his mother had gone forever in his presence. Muhammad was destined to carry the burden of a heavy life with various sadness.

Surah Al Insyirah verses 5-6:

فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلۡعُسۡرِ يُسۡرًا  ٥ إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلۡعُسۡرِ يُسۡرٗا  ٦

5.  For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.

6.  Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.

As a grandfather, Abdul Mutthalib felt sorry for seeing Muhammad become an orphan at an early age. Abdul Mutthalib brought his grandson to his house. He cared for Muhammad well and sincerely. All love is poured out on Muhammad. Abdul Mutthalib was indeed a good person. He is the one who provides foods and drinks for the Kaaba (Ka'bah) pilgrims who come from outside. He also gave assistance to residents of Mecca who were struck by the disaster.

Usually an elderly person in Mecca, the leader of all Quraysh and Mecca leaders, has a stretch of seating under the Ka'bah. Children just sit around the stretch to respect older people. At that time, Abdul Mutthalib had a special seat for him under the Ka'bah. No one dared to sit in that place, even his children only dared to sit by his side. But Muhammad who was still a child dared to sit and play at his grandfather's place. His uncles who knew that were trying to get him out of the seat. When he saw this, Abdul Mutthalib told them to let Muhammad sit in that place. The grandfather said, "Leave him alone. For God's sake, this child has his own position ".

Little Muhammad continued to sit in his grandfather's place freely. Abdul Mutthalib was happy to see his grandson's behavior that pleased him. He stroked Muhammad's back with affection.

But Abdul Mutthalib could not linger in giving affection to Muhammad. When Muhammad was eight years old, the grandfather died in Mecca at the age of about eighty. Again, Muhammad lost one of the people who cared for him. Before he died, he had ordered that Muhammad be cared for by his uncle named Abu Talib. Abu Talib did have a smooth feeling and respectful among Quraysh.

Basically, the death of Abdul Mutthalib was a hard thing for the Banu Hashim. Abdul Mutthalib is someone who has courage, dignity, a sharp view, respectful, and has a great influence in Arab society. None of his children were able to continue Abdul Mutthalib's activities. The poor are unable to do that, while the rich do penance. So the Banu Umaya who occupied the leadership chair in Mecca they had long desired, regardless of the threat from the Banu Hashim. The Umaya are children of the Banu Abdus Shams. Bani Hashim and Bani Abdus Shams were children of Banu Abdul Manaf.

Reference:

·         Mubarakfuri, Syekh Shafiyyur-Rahman, and Haidir, Abdullah (Translator). 2005. Sejarah Hidup dan Perjuangan Rasulullah. Riyadh: Kantor Dakwah dan Bimbingan bagi Pendatang Al-Sulay.

·         Haekal, Muhammad Husain, and Audah, Ali (Translator). Sejarah Hidup Muhammad.