Q&A

Question: How old was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) when his father passed away?

This is a common question among those interested in the life of the Prophet. However, Islamic historical sources do not provide an exact answer to this question.

Why is there no precise answer?

1. No official age records existed at that time: People’s ages and life events were not officially documented as they are today.
2. Different narrations: Historians and scholars have reported varying accounts about this matter.

What we know for sure:

• The early death of Abdullah: The Prophet’s father, Abdullah ibn Abdulmuttalib, passed away shortly before the Prophet’s birth—perhaps a few months or a year earlier.
• Raised by his grandfather: After his father’s death, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was cared for by his grandfather, Abdulmuttalib.

Why is this significant?

• A difficult childhood: Losing his father at a very young age made the Prophet an orphan, exposing him to the hardships of life at that time.
• The impact of upbringing: Being raised by his grandfather played a crucial role in shaping his noble character and moral upbringing.

Conclusion:
The exact age of the Prophet when his father passed away is not known. What is certain is that he lost his father at a very young age, and that loss left a deep impact on his life.

Advice: When studying the biography of the Prophet (pbuh), it is important to rely on authentic and well-accepted Islamic sources, and to avoid weak or fabricated narrations.