[1] When the blessed Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, was twelve years old his uncle and guardian made preparations to travel on a business caravan to ash-Shām [2]. However, the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, considered his separation unendurable. His uncle sympathised with him and allowed him to accompany the caravan. Thus, this became the first journey for the Messenger of Allah though it was just a brief one.
The men of the caravan, whilst at Basra [3], were hosted by the monk Buḥayrā. He questioned them about what he had read in his scriptures about the arrival of an Arab prophet in their time. They replied that such a prophet had not appeared until now. The issue of the arrival of a prophet was of continuous importance occupying many a discussion amongst the Christians and Jews before the arrival of the blessed Messenger. However:
فَلَمَّا جَاءهُم مَّا عَرَفُواْ كَفَرُواْ بِهِ فَلَعْنَةُ اللَّه عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ
“…when that which they know (to be the Truth) came to them they disbelieved therein. The curse of Allah is on disbelievers.”
[al-Baqara – 2:89]
[1] As reported by Abu Nu’aym in Dalāil an-Nubuwwa (Vol. 1, 212/108) on the authority of al-Wāqidī from his elders and Ibn Sa’d in at-Ṭabaqāt (Vol. 1, p.121). It is also mentioned by as-Suyūtī in al-Khasāis (Vol. 1, p.211) and at-Tirmizī (3881).
[2] Modern-day Syria.
[3] A rural community on the boarders of Arabia and ash-Shām.
Beacon of Certainty 