Our Master had lost his father before his birth, his mother at the age of six, and his grandfather at the age of eight… Now he was completely under the care of his uncle Abu Talib. 

Abu Talib wasn’t a wealthy man. He owned nothing more than a few camels. Nevertheless, he was a noble man, and of the most respected and revered men of Quraish…

He had protected himself from the pagan customs of the age of ignorance. Like his father Abdulmuttalib, he did not gamble or drink alcohol. Abu Talib loved Muhammad more than his own kids, he did not go anywhere without him. He always waited for Muhammad to take the first bite at dinner and always gave him whatever he asked for. Abdullah and Abu Talib were born of the same mother, unlike the rest of his siblings. Hence why Muhammad had a different place in his heart…

Abu Talib was aware of our Master’s qualities, which were different from all other children, including his own kids… If Muhammad was sitting on the table, even if the food was very little, it would be enough for everyone and sometimes even be left over… If the rest of the household ate on their own the food would not be enough to fill them but if they sat on the same table with Muhammad everyone would be full even with only a little amount of food…  This is why Abu Talib always wanted Muhammad to be on the table and to take the first bite. To prevent his children from being jealous and envious he would tell them, “He is an orphan, that is why he deserves the first bite…” 

Sometimes there would only be a cup of milk on the table, enough for only one person. If Muhammad took the first sip, the whole household would drink from the cup and still the milk would not finish. 

This is why Abu Talib would always say, “You are an auspicious and blessed child indeed…”