WHO WROTE THE QURAN

Muhammad was born after his father's untimely death. His mother andfamily members took very good care of him. But another misfortune struckwhen he was only 6 years old. His loving mother died of a brief febrileillness, possibly sun-stroke. She was in the middle of Madinah and Makkahreturning with Abdul Muttalib after visiting her deceased husband's gravein Madinah. Prophet Muhammad was at a great disadvantage from thebeginning. Fortunately, his grandfather, Abdul Muttalib, was a very kindand caring personality.NO EDUCATION: In Makkah, there were no schools in those days. Theyoung boy had no siblings and few like-minded youngsters. We maywonder how such a smart child spent his time! The summers were too hotwith outdoors temperature in the desert rising as high as 116, and it gotfeezing cold in winters. Mud and wood houses and big shady treesafforded the only respite from harsh weather. There was no library, nomode of learning or teaching. Only 23 people in Makkah knew how to reador write.NO VEHICLES, NO LAMPS: Older nations had wheel-carts three to fourthousand years before the Prophet's time. The people of Egypt and theIndus Valley (now in Pakistan) used wheelbarrows, bullock carts, chariotsand horse carriages. In Arabia, however, no one had a vehicle. People useddonkeys, ponies, horses, mules and camels for traveling. Of course, therewere no media. Poetry, stories, and gossip were the sole means ofcommunication. It is hard to conceive, but people of Arabia did not use anysort of lamps at night.THE LITTLE BRIGHT MUHAMMAD IN THE DARK ENVIRONMENT:It was in this environment that the Prophet (S) was learning about life. Thesmart, peaceful child created his own resources and never wasted his time.Some may wonder why the little boy Muhammad is called Prophet. Thereason is that all prophets were born as such although commissioned tothe Divine Office later. The Quran states that they were chosen individuals,hence, none can become a prophet by striving to do so. Muhammad (S)was commissioned to prophethood and received the first Message fromAllah in his 40th year but he was a prophet by birth.The young, bright, orphan boy was raised in Makkah and in the desertaround the town. Very early in his life, he learned to ride the barebackponies, mules, horses and camels. There were no swimming pools in thosedays but rainwater did collect in natural ponds. So the little boy learnedhow to swim. He also kept busy by taking the sheep and goats of his familyand neighbors out for grazing. He also liked to play with his bow and arrow59