Ancient Roots & Abraham
The well of Zamzam got buried and lost. Who dug it up again after he saw a dream?
Answer: Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet's grandfather
What animal and what number of them were drawn by lots to ransom the Prophet's father, ‘Abd Allāh, from sacrifice?
Answer: 100 camels
What was the name of Āminah’s maid who traveled with her to Yathrib and safely brought the orphaned six-year-old Muhammad back to Mecca?
Answer: Barakah (Umm Ayman)
What title meaning "the trustworthy" did the people of Mecca give Muhammad because of his sterling character?
Answer: Al-Amīn
Where did Muhammad receive the first verses of the Quran?
Answer: Cave Ḥirā’/Mount Ḥirā’
In which ancient Sumerian town in the Euphrates valley did Abraham grow up before leaving due to idol worship?
Answer: Ur
Whom did the leaders of Quraysh consult in Yathrib to determine a way to save ‘Abd Allāh from being sacrificed?
Answer: A wise old woman
What miraculous event happened to young Muhammad while he was out in the pastures with Ḥalīmah’s sons?
Answer: Two angels opened his chest and washed his heart with snow to keep it pure
Which two uncles accompanied Muhammad to formally request Khadījah’s hand from her uncle?
Answer: Abū Ṭālib and Ḥamzah
Who was the learned Christian cousin of Khadījah who confirmed that Muhammad was visited by the Archangel Gabriel?
Answer: Waraqah ibn Nawfal
Why did the people of Mecca assume Shaybah was a slave when his uncle al-Muṭṭalib brought him into the city at noon?
Answer: Because he was riding behind his uncle on the camel, leading them to call him "‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib" ("slave of al-Muṭṭalib")
What reason did ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib give when the people of Mecca asked why he chose the unusual name "Muhammad"?
Answer: He wanted him to be praised by Allah in the heavens and praised by men on earth
Where was ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib’s special blanket placed where nobody was permitted to sit with him except his young grandson Muhammad?
Answer: Near the Ka‘bah
What was the name of Khadījah’s servant who traveled with Muhammad to Syria and witnessed his noble conduct?
Answer: Maysarah
Which wealthy paternal uncle of Muhammad took in his nephew Ja‘far to lighten Abū Ṭālib’s financial burden during the Meccan famine?
Answer: Al-‘Abbās
Which ancestor of the Quraysh established the famous summer trade route to Syria and winter trade route to Yemen?
Hāshim
In which village between Yathrib and Mecca did the Prophet's mother, Āminah, pass away when he was six years old?
Answer: Al-Abwā
When the monk Baḥīrā questioned Muhammad’s relation to Abū Ṭālib, how did he immediately deduce that Abū Ṭālib could not be his biological father?
Answer: His ancient manuscripts stated the destined prophet would grow up an orphan
How did Muhammad cleverly avoid a tribal war when placing the Black Stone during the rebuilding of the Ka‘bah?
Answer: He placed the stone on a cloak and had a chief from each tribe lift a corner together
To which prominent Quraysh master did Bilāl belong when Abū Bakr visited his house at night to invite him to Islam?
Umayyah ibn Khalaf
What does the original birth name of the Prophet's grandfather, "Shaybah," mean in Arabic?
Answer: Grey-haired
500: Who was sent by ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib to bring ‘Abd Allāh back from Yathrib after hearing of his illness, only to arrive too late?
Answer: Al-Ḥārith
On one occasion during his youth, Prophet Muhammad went to attend a wedding celebration with music and dancing in Mecca, how did Allah intervene to preserve him?
Answer: Allah caused him to suddenly feel exhausted and fall fast asleep until the next morning
What was the name of Muhammad and Khadījah’s first-born son, who passed away before turning two?
Answer: Qāsim
What vivid prophetic dream did Sa‘d ibn Abī Waqqās experience the night before Abū Bakr invited him to Islam?
He dreamt he was walking in pitch darkness toward the moon, where he saw ‘Alī, Abū Bakr, and Zayd beckoning him to join them