It had rained heavily and continuously for a long period, and the water poured down towards the Holy Kaaba in Masjid al-Haram, the big mosque in Makkah. The Holy Kaaba was in the lower section of Makkah. This flood had shaken the foundations of the Holy Kaaba and cracked its walls. Besides, the Holy Kaaba had no ceiling and the treasures it housed were exposed to robbery.

So the rebuilding of the Holy Kaaba was started. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), like the others, helped in the work till the Holy Kaaba was leveled. The work progressed well enough until Hajar al-Aswad, the sacred Black Stone, was to be put back in its place in the East wall of the Holy Kaaba.

Each quarter of the Holy Kaaba was being built by one leading family of Quraish - the big and prominent tribe of Makkah. Each family of Quraish felt the honor of placing Hajar al-Aswad, the sacred Black Stone, belonging to them. So serious was the matter that members of the clan of Banu Abad al Dar brought a bowl full of blood and dipping their hands in it swore never to relinquish their honor.

The disagreement became deeper, and led to a lot of argument, shouting and abuse. The members of each big family were thinking that a war was going to break out; none of them were willing to change his position. They regarded it as a great insult if they didn't have that special honor of putting Hajar al-Aswad, the sacred Black Stone, back in its place.

Abu Umayyah, powerful and respected in Makkan society, used his influence and said to the people of Makkah, Let the first person to pass through the gate of the Haram (precincts of the Holy Kaaba) tomorrow first in the morning be our arbitrator. All agreed, since that sounded like a good suggestion.

They anxiously waited next morning to see who was the first to come and enter the Holy Kaaba. Suddenly they heard footsteps heading towards them. It was Mohammed (pbuh), the son of Abdullah. Everyone, of course, knew, loved, admired and respected Mohammed (pbuh), the son of Abdullah. So with a loud voice, everyone said, "Here comes Al-Amin (The Trustworthy)" and the joyous voice echoed through the place over and over again. We will accept his verdict! For indeed he was known to everyone as Al-Amin, the trustworthy!

Mohammed (pbuh), the son of Abdullah was surprised to hear of that title with which they called him. He was told about what the people of Quraish were fighting for. It was all silent for a while. Everyone thought his family was going to be favored. Their hearts were beating hard and they were getting anxious and impatient.

Mohammed (pbuh), the son of Abdullah put his robe on the floor, took Hajar al-Aswad, the sacred Black Stone, and put it in the centre of the robe and said. "The chief of each family will take one corner of the robe and lift it together." With that, each understood a marvelous example of justice in sharing the honor. It showed how Mohammed (pbuh), the son of Abdullah's intelligence far exceeded those around him. It also showed his great capacity to solve difficult problems with such ease.

When the robe with Hajar al-Aswad, the sacred Black Stone, was lifted to a reasonable height. Mohammed (pbuh), the son of Abdullah took Hajar al-Aswad, the sacred Black Stone and put it in its proper place by his own hands. None felt insulted and each had his share of the privilege and honor.

To reconcile a fiery people in those turbulent times required great wisdom and tact which was so well displayed by the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) in this incident in his life which took place before his call to Prophethood. It is also clear that he enjoyed a reputation for honesty among his people, who, as you have just read, so willingly subjected their claims to his sense of Judgement. We should take a cue from such instances of the Prophet Mohammed's (pbuh) life which is full of acts of great moral courage.

This is how Mohammed (pbuh), the son of Abdullah, the Prophet of Islam succeeded in uniting the ever-fighting and ignorant Arabs with his honesty, justice and noble character.

Indeed the Noble Qur'an says: "Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar for him who hopes in Allah and the latter day and remembers Allah much." (33:21)

While the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) lived with his uncle, Abu Talib, and while he had not yet reached adolescence, Abu Talib set out for Damascus on business and also took the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) along.

It was a massive caravan and a great number of people traveled along with a huge quantity of merchandise until they arrived in Syria and entered the city of Busra. In the vicinity of a monastery, they pitched a tent and took rest. A monk, whose title was "Buhayra", came out of the monastery and invited them to a feast. Everybody accepted Buhayra's invitation and entered the monastery. Leaving his nephew, Mohammed (pbuh) with his belongings, Abu Talib also attended the feast along with others.

Buhayra asked: "Is everybody present?" Abu Talib replied, "Everybody is here except a youth who is the youngest of all." Buhayra said: "Bring him along as well!" Abu Talib called on the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) who was standing under an olive tree and came to the monk.

Buhayra cast a deep glance at the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and said: "come a little bit closer, I have something to tell you." Then, he took the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) aside. Abu Talib also went near them.

Buhayra told the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh): "I am going to ask you a question and, by swearing on Lat and Uzza, would you answer me" (Lat and Uzza were the names of two idols worshipped by the people of Makkah).

The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) stated: "These two idols are the most hated ones to me".

Buhayra said: "By swearing on Allah, would you tell the truth". The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) said: "I always speak the truth and I have never told a lie; you ask your question".

Buhayra asked: "What do you like the most"?

The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) answered: "Loneliness".

Buhayra asked: "What do you look the most at and what do you like to look at"?

The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) said: "The sky and the stars within it".

Buhayra asked: "What do you think of"?

The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) remained silent, but Buhayra carefully glanced at his forehead.

Buhayra asked: "When do you sleep and with what thoughts"?

The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) stated: "When I fix my eyes upon the sky, I see the stars and I find them in my lap and myself above them".

Buhayra asked: "Do you see dream also"?

The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) stated: "Whatever I see in dream, the same I see while I am awake."

Buhayra asked: "What do you dream of, as an example"?

The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) kept quiet, Buhayra also kept quiet.

After a while, Buhayra asked: "May I take a look at the centre of your shoulders"?

The Prophet Mohammed (pbuh), while standing still, stated: "Come and see."

Buhayra stood up, came closer, and pulled the dress of the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) off his shoulders. A mole appeared. Buhayra took a look and said in a murmuring voice: "He is the very person".

Abu Talib asked: "Which one? What do you mean"?

Buhayra said: "Tell me, what is your relationship with this youth"?

Since Abu Talib loved the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) as one of his own children, he said: "He is my son".

Buhayra said: "No, the father of this youth must have died".

"How do you know"? Said Abu Talib; "That is true, this youth is my nephew".

Buhayra told Abu Talib "Listen, this youth will have a very bright and astonishing future. If others see what I have seen and recognize him, they will kill him. Hide and protect him from the enemies".

Abu Talib said: "Tell me, who is he"?

Buhayra replied: "His eyes bear the signs of the eyes of a prominent prophet and a clear mark of prophethood is on his back".