Perforce...

Perforce, at the age of eight, Muhammad went to his uncle's house, Abu Talib (Ali's father), and lived under his guardianship. Abu Talib protected and took care of his beloved nephew with utmost benevolence and kindness to the last moments of his life, i.e., for over forty years.

Even in the most adverse and unpleasant events, when the nobles of Quraysh and black-hearted rebels had vilely associated to kill Muhammad, he made himself a shield of protection for him, as he was scared of nothing and took no heed of reproaches. Muhammad's repose, grace, and thoughtful mien were fully recognized among his peers since adolescence. Abu Talib loved him to such an extent that he always wanted to be with him and caress him in order to remove the agony of being an orphan.

He was 12 when his uncle took him to Sham (Syria) on a business trip which at that time was common in Hijaz. On this trip, at a place called Busri, an area in Sham, Abu Talib visited a Christian monk called Buhayra. The latter, upon meeting Muhammad, assuredly found out the signs and cues he had read in the Holy Scriptures, that this boy would be the Prophet of the end of time.

In order to be further assured, the Christian monk asked him to swear on the Lat and Uzza – two of the idols of Mecca – to tell the truth in what he was asked about. Getting perturbed and agitated, Muhammad replied, “I am an enemy to the idols you just mentioned. Swear me on God.” Buhayra was certain that he would be truly the great messenger of God, who believed in no one and nothing but the one God.

So he strongly admonished Abu Talib to protect him against the evils of the enemies, especially the Jews since soon he would be assigned to a great mission to carry out. Muhammad passed through his days of adolescence and youth. During this period of time, which for the common people is an age of pugnacity and indulgence in lustfulness and transient fads, for the young Muhammad was replete with purity, righteousness, and honesty.

Truthfulness of words, honesty in manner, leniency, and patience were manifest in his behavior. He was aside from the corrupt milieu of Mecca and kept aloof from the impurity of idolatry to such an extent that everyone was amazed, and he was so trusted that he became renowned as “Muhammad the Trustworthy” ( Muhammad al-Amin ). Since the very beginning of his youth, traces of grace, power, and bravery were evident in his countenance.