Muhammad kept away from his people and their idol worship. He spent most of his time herding goats to help his uncle. Many people related stories about kindness to birds and animals. When pigeons pecked at his food, he left it to them out of sheer love and pity.

He was a shepherd until the age of thirteen. Then his uncle took him on a camel caravan on a trading journey to Damascus. And here, another strange thing happened.

Not far from Damascus there was a monastery in which a monk named Bahira lived. When the caravan stopped nearby, Bahira, in accordance with Arab custom, went to welcome them and show his hospitality. Continue reading →