Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad

Al-Qasim was born in Makkah before the Prophetic mission and was the firstborn child of the Prophet and Khadijah. The Prophet took the kunya 'Abul-Qasim' after him, and this remained his best-known kunya throughout his life, even after al-Qasim's death. The Prophet said: 'Name yourselves by my name, but do not use my kunya.' Al-Qasim died in early childhood. The sources differ on his exact age at death; Ibn Sa'd records that he lived long enough to ride a small mount, while others say he died as an infant. His death caused the Prophet and Khadijah deep sorrow. The Quraysh had mocked the Prophet after al-Qasim's death, with al-As ibn Wa'il calling him 'abtar' (cut off), meaning he had no surviving male heir. In response, Surah al-Kawthar was revealed: 'Indeed, We have granted you al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice. Indeed, it is your enemy who is cut off.'