| Died | 577 |
|---|---|
| Resting place | Al-Abwa, Saudi Arabia |
| Spouse | 'Abd Allah ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib |
| Children | Son: Muhammad |
| Parents | Father: Wahb ibn 'Abd Manaf |
Aminah bint Wahb (Arabic: آمنة بنت وهب ʼĀminah bint Wahb) (died 577) was the mother of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
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The daughter of Wahb ibn 'Abd Manaf ibn Zuhrah ibn Kilab ibn Murrah,[1] Aminah was born in Mecca. She was a member of the Banu Zuhrah clan in the tribe of Quraysh who claimed descent from Ibrahim (Abraham) through his son Ismail (Ishmael). Her ancestor Zuhrah was the elder brother of Qusayy ibn Kilab, who was also an ancestor of 'Abd Allah ibn Abd al Muttalib. Qusayy ibn Kilab became the first Quraysh custodian of the Ka'aba. Abdul Mutallib, father of 'Abd Allah, fixed the marriage of his youngest son 'Abd Allah with Aminah. She was eventually married to 'Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Muttalib.[2] It was said that a light shone out of his forehead and that this light was the promise of a Prophet as offspring. Countless woman of Arabia approached 'Abd Allah, which according to several traditions, was a handsome man; so that they might gain the honour of producing the offspring. However everyone believes that as decided by God, the light was destined to be transferred to Aminah through 'Abd Allah after consumating the marriage.[.[3]
'Abd Allah's father was the custodian of the Holy Ka'aba in Mecca. Soon after their marriage 'Abd Allah would be called to as-Sham (present day Syria) on a trading caravan trip. When he left, Aminah was pregnant. However, 'Abd Allah would become sick and would die from an illness before returning to Mecca and his pregnant wife; a depression from which Aminah would never recover.[4]
Two months after 'Abd Allah's death, in 570 AD, Muhammad would be born. As was tradition among all the great families at the time Aminah would send Muhammad into the desert as a baby. The belief was that in the desert one learned self-discipline, nobility, and freedom. This also gave Muhammad the chance to learn Arabic and Arab traditions. During this time Muhammad would be nursed by Halimah bint Abi Dhuayb, a poor Bedouin woman from the tribe of Banu Sa'ad, a branch of the Hawāzin, who would be with him during his time in the desert.[5]
When Muhammad was five years old he was reunited with Aminah. After being reunited with her son Aminah took him to Yathrib (Madinah) to meet his extended family and introduce him to the city. They would end up spending one month in Yathrib. However, after having traveled only 23 miles from Yathrib towards Mecca, Aminah fell ill and eventually died and was buried in the village of Abwa’. Aminah died in 577 AD.[6]
There are a few inconsistencies that appear in the biography of Aminah bint Wahb. In most biographies Aminah lived with her father, however, others say she lived under the guardianship of her uncle Wahib ibn 'Abd Manaf.[7] The age of 'Abd Allah is also contested. In most versions of Aminah's biography he is said to be 17 years old when the couple marries. Other versions claim he was 24 when they were married.[7] The third inconsistency surrounds the time of Abdallah's death. In most cases it is simply said that he died on the return trip from Syria to Mecca. However, according to Muhammad Zafrulla Kahn (author of the online book Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets) 'Abd Allah was left behind in Madinah by the caravan in the care of his father's maternal relatives. When his father found out 'Abd Allah was ill he dispatched Harith, his eldest son, to take care of 'Abd Allah. It was only once Harith arrived in Medinah that he learned 'Abd Allah had died a month after the caravan had left him.[7]
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