Abdullah and Aminah: The Marriage Before Prophet Muhammad

Abdullah’s life had already passed through a remarkable trial before he married Aminah bint Wahb. According to traditional sīrah reports, his father, Abdul-Muttalib, had once vowed to sacrifice one of his sons. Abdullah was chosen, but his life was eventually spared when the lot fell upon one hundred camels.

After this dramatic event, Abdullah entered a new chapter of his life. He married Aminah bint Wahb, a woman from the respected Banu Zuhrah clan of Quraysh. Neither Abdullah nor Aminah could have known that their marriage would become part of one of the greatest stories in human history.

ABDULLAH AND AMINAH BEGIN A MARRIAGE THAT WOULD CHANGE HISTORY

Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib belonged to Banu Hashim, one of the honored families of Quraysh in Makkah. His father, Abdul-Muttalib, was a prominent figure among the people of the city.

Aminah bint Wahb also came from a respected Qurayshi family. Her father was Wahb ibn Abd Manaf, and her family belonged to Banu Zuhrah.

The marriage of Abdullah and Aminah united two honorable families of Quraysh. For them, it was the beginning of a new family life. For history, however, it would become far more significant.

Soon after their marriage, Aminah became pregnant.

At that moment, there was no way for the people of Makkah to know what this unborn child would eventually accomplish. They did not know that he would become Prophet Muhammad, the Messenger who would call people to worship Allah alone and whose message would spread far beyond Arabia.

The future was hidden from them, but events were already moving toward a remarkable birth.

ABDULLAH LEAVES MAKKAH AND AMINAH FACES AN UNEXPECTED LOSS

Abdullah did not remain with Aminah for long. According to traditional sīrah accounts, he traveled away from Makkah on a journey connected with trade.

While returning from his journey, Abdullah became ill. He stopped in Yathrib, the city that would later become known as Madinah, where some of his relatives lived.

His illness became serious.

Abdullah eventually died before the birth of his son.

The news was devastating for Aminah. She was carrying her first child, yet the child's father would never see him.

This meant that Prophet Muhammad would enter the world without his father.

The loss of Abdullah was not only a personal tragedy for Aminah. It also meant that the child who would later become the Prophet would begin his life as an orphan from his father's side.

The Qur’an later described the Prophet’s early condition with these words:

“Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?”

Surah Ad-Duha, Verse 6

This verse reminds believers of Allah’s care for Prophet Muhammad during the earliest stages of his life.

AMINAH’S PREGNANCY APPROACHES ITS END AS A GREAT BIRTH DRAWS NEAR

After Abdullah’s death, Aminah continued her pregnancy without her husband beside her. She carried the child of Abdullah while surrounded by the people of Makkah and her family.

Traditional sīrah sources contain various reports about events surrounding Aminah’s pregnancy and the birth of her son. Some of these reports became famous in Islamic historical literature, although their levels of authenticity differ. For this reason, they should be distinguished from events established through stronger sources.

What is firmly known is that Aminah became the mother of Prophet Muhammad and Abdullah was his father.

The months passed, and the time of the birth drew closer.

Makkah was about to welcome a child whose life would eventually transform the religious and social history of Arabia.

Aminah had lost her husband.

Abdullah had never seen his son.

But the child was about to arrive.

And when he was born, the story of Prophet Muhammad would truly begin.

The next chapter will follow the birth of the child who would become the final Prophet and Messenger of Allah.

References: Ibn Hisham, As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyah; Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah; Ibn Sa’d, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra; Surah Ad-Duha, Verse 6.