The Illustrious Sahaabah The Illustrious Sahaabah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)
Date of Prophethood and Inception of Salaah
The Muhadditheen and Ulama of Taareekh (history) unanimously agree that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was bestowed with the mantle of prophethood on a Monday. However, there is a difference of opinion regarding the month in which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) received nubuwwah.
According to Haafiz Ibnu Abdil Barr (rahimahullah), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was commissioned with the mission of nubuwwah on the 8th of Rabee-ul-Awwal. Accordingly, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was exactly forty years old at the time when he was bestowed with nubuwwah. (Sharhuz Zurqaani 1/386)
According to Imaam Muhammed bin Ishaaq (rahimahullah), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) received nubuwwah in the month of Ramadhaan. According to Imaam Abu Ja’far Al-Baaqir (rahimahullah), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) received nubuwwah on the 17th of Ramadhaan. According to this view, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would have been forty years and six months old at the time when he was blessed with nubuwwah. (Rowdh-ul-Unf 1/412, Al-Bidaayah wan-Nihaayah 3/7, Seeratul Mustafa 1/145)
The great Muhaddith, Haafiz Ibnul Hajar Asqalaani (rahimahullah) has preferred the view that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was commissioned with nubuwwah in the month of Ramadhaan, as the wahi had commenced in the month of Ramadhaan. (Fat-hul Baari 12/356, Seeratul Mustafa 1/145)
The Wisdom Behind the Age of Forty Being Selected for Nubuwwah
The Ulama have mentioned that the age of forty was divinely chosen by Allah Ta‘ala for blessing his beloved Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) with nubuwwah as the physical and spiritual capacity and aptitude of man reaches its peak and perfection at this age.
Hence, we find that in the following verse, Allah Ta‘ala mentions that man reaches the peak and perfection of his capabilities and strength at the age of forty:
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا بَلَغَ أَشُدَّهُ وَبَلَغَ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً
(Man continues to progress,) until he attains his full physical maturity and he reaches the age of forty years… (Surah Ahqaaf v. 15)
Thereafter, as man grows older, there is a gradual decline in his physical strength and capacity.
Therefore, when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) reached the age of forty, and his physical and spiritual strength was at its peak and apex, ready to receive divine illumination and spiritual enlightenment, Allah Ta‘ala, out of His sheer mercy, bestowed him with nubuwwah.
وَاللَّهُ يَخْتَصُّ بِرَحْمَتِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ ﴿١٠٥﴾
And Allah Ta‘ala exclusively selects for His mercy (prophethood, etc) whomsoever He wishes, and Allah Ta‘ala is the Possessor of great bounty (and blessing).” (Surah Baqarah v. 105)
