When an Arab of those days saw something, he spoke as an expert. The Arabs were people of perception and intuition. If one of them saw footprints on a path, he could say, “These are the footprints of such-and-such a person.” He would sense the breath of the one speaking to him and discern what truth or falsehood was present.
These men saw Muhammad and were his contemporaries from the day he came into existence as a newborn child. Nothing in his life was concealed from them. The stage of childhood, which is usually known only to a child’s family and close relatives, was, in Muhammad’s case, seen and perceived by all the people of Makkah. That was because his childhood was unlike that of other children. It drew attention to itself through early signs of seriousness and maturity, avoiding the usual games of children and inclining instead to the gravity of adults.
For example, Quraysh used to talk about Abd al-Muttalib’s grandson, who kept away from children’s playgrounds and celebrations, and whenever he was invited to join them, he would say, “I was not created for that.”
Moreover, when his wet nurse, Halimah, brought him back to his family, she told them of her experience with the child, of what she had seen in him that convinced her he was no ordinary child. She believed there was a hidden secret in him, known only to Allah, that would one day be revealed.
As for his youth—what chastity! It was even clearer and more luminous. His people’s interest in him and their praise of him grew more constant. As for his manhood, it was fully perceived by every eye, ear, and heart. Above all, his life became the conscience of his community; through his behavior and conduct, they measured all their ideals of truth, goodness, and beauty.
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