Ahmad b. al-Hasan b. al-Qattan narrated to us. He said: Abu’l `Abbas Ahmad b. Yahya b. Zakariyya narrated to us. He said: Muhammad b. Isma`il narrated to us. He said: `Abdullah b. Muhammad narrated to us. He said: My father narrated to us from Sa`id b. Muslim the servant of Bani Makhzum from Sa`id b. Abi Salih from his father from Ibn `Abbas. He said: I heard my father al-`Abbas narrate, saying: When `Abdullah was born to `Abd al-Muttalib, we saw an illuminating light in his face, like the light of the Sun. So, my father said: This boy will have an exalted matter. He said: So, I saw in my dream that a white bird emerged from his nose, flew, and reached the East and the West. Then, it returned and perched on the roof of the Ka`ba. Then, all the people of Quraysh prostrated towards it and began to gaze at it in amazement. There was a light between heaven and Earth, and it stretched until it reached the East and the West.
When I regained consciousness, I asked a soothsayer from Bani Makhzum [about it]. She said: O `Abbas! If you are telling the truth, then a child from his loins will be followed by the people of the East and the West. My father said: So, I was worried about the matter of `Abdullah until he married Amina. She was of the most beautiful women of Quraysh, and the most perfect of them in character. When `Abdullah died and Amina gave birth to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, I went to him. I saw a light illuminating from his forehead. I held him and studied his facial features. I found the fragrance of musk coming from him. It was as though I was a bag of musk due to the intensity of the fragrance left on me.
Amina said to me: When I went into labour, I heard noises and words that did not resemble the words of humans. I saw a brocade flag on a ruby pole that filled that which was between heaven and Earth. I saw a light dazzling from his head that reached the sky. It was as though I saw the palaces of the Levant engulfed in light. I saw great birds spreading their wings around me. I saw a houri passing by and saying: “Amina! You did not find oracles nor idols with your son!” I saw a young man who was the tallest of the people, the fairest of them, and the most beautiful of them in clothing. I thought it was `Abd al-Muttalib. He approached me and held the newborn. He suckled him with his tongue. He had a tray of gold with him which was studded with emeralds and a comb of gold. He cut open his belly and took out his heart. Then, he cut it open and took out a dark spot and threw it out. Then, he took a green silk bag and opened it. He took what looked like a white powder from it. Then, he filled up the heart with this powder and placed the heart back into its place. Then he stroked the child’s stomach and spoke to him. The infant spoke [back].
I did not understand anything except that he said: “[Farewell] in the safety, protection, and security of Allah. I have filled your heart with faith, knowledge, forbearance, certainty, intellect, and valour. You are the best of humans. Blessed are those who follow you, and woe to those who turn away from you.” Then, he took out another bag which was made of white brocade. From that, he removed a seal and imprinted it between his shoulders. Then, he said: “My Lord has commanded me to breathe from the Holy Spirit into you.” So, he breathed into him, and gowned him in a shirt, and said: “This is your protection from the troubles of this world.” This is what I saw, `Abbas, with my eyes. So, al-`Abbas said: That day, I was reading. I took off his robe, and I saw the Seal of Prophecy between his shoulders. I kept his matter a secret. I forgot this and did not remember it until the day I accepted Islam and the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم reminded me of it.