‘Abdullaah bin ‘Abd Al-Muttalib was the dearest son of his father. Therefore, after ‘Abdullaah was saved from being slaughtered when ‘Abd Al-Muttalib ransomed him for a hundred camels, ‘Abd Al-Muttalib married him to one of the most honorable women in Makkah, namely Aaminah bint Wahb bin ‘Abd Manaaf bin Zuhrah bin Kilaab.
‘Abdullaah, the father of the Prophet died after Aaminah had conceived. ‘Abdullah died in Madeenah, on his way back from Ash-Shaam (greater Syria). He was buried in Madeenah at his maternal uncles’ abode, Banu ‘Adiyy bin An-Najjaar. He died having left mankind a blessed breeze. It was as if destiny was saying to him, “You have achieved your task and this pure foetus will be taken care of by Allah who wills, by His Mercy and Wisdom, to nurture him, educate him and prepare him to bring mankind out of darkness into the light”.
The marriage of ‘Abdullaah to Aaminah was not the genesis of the Prophet ; He was asked what his origins were, to which he replied: “I am the invocation of my father, Ibraaheem, and the glad tidings of my brother, ‘Eesa. My mother had a vision that a light emanated from her and lit up the palaces of Ash-Shaam.” [Ahmad and Al-Haakim] The invocation of Ibraaheem, may Allah exalt his mention, is mentioned in the verse (what means): {Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.} [Quran 2:129] The glad tidings of ‘Eesa, may Allah exalt his mention, is mentioned in the verse (that means): {And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said: “O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.”}[Quran 61:6]
Ibn Rajab said
The light that the mother of the Prophet saw emanating from her refers to the light that the Prophet brought in order to guide mankind and eradicate the darkness of Shirk [polytheism]. Allah The Almighty Says [what means]: {O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger making clear to you much of what you used to conceal of the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book. By which Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and guides them to a straight path.} [Quran 5:15, 16]
Ibn Katheer said,
Specifying Ash-Shaam was an indication that the religion will be established there and this is why Ash-Shaam will be, at the end of time, a fortress for Islam and the Muslims. Ash-Shaam will be the place where ‘Eesa, may Allah exalt his mention, will descend, in the white eastern lighthouse of Damascus. The Prophet said: “A group of my Ummah will remain victorious with the truth and not be harmed by anyone who forsakes them or anyone who disagrees with them, until the decree of Allah comes while they are as such.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The narration in Al-Bukhari includes: “…And they will be in Ash-Shaam”.