His Youth & Known Character
شبابه وأخلاقه
Summary
The Prophet (peace be upon him) grew up known among the Quraysh as 'Al-Amin' (the Trustworthy) and 'As-Sadiq' (the Truthful). He participated in the Hilf al-Fudul (the Pact of Virtue) and worked as a shepherd and later in trade.
Details
He accompanied his uncle Abu Talib on a trading journey to Syria at the age of twelve, where the monk Bahira recognised signs of prophethood in him. He worked as a shepherd in his youth — a profession shared by all the prophets as narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari. He later managed trade caravans for Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, impressing her with his honesty and skill. The Hilf al-Fudul was a pact among several Qurayshi clans to support the oppressed, which the Prophet later praised even after Islam, saying he would answer such a call again.