Amman, Sept. 5 (Petra) -- Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalaileh said the Al-Buqayawiyya Tree, also known as the "Prophet's Tree," is associated with a historical account of Prophet Mohammad's journey to the Levant during his childhood.

In remarks on Saturday, Khalaileh said the Prophet, who was about 12 years old at the time, accompanied his uncle Abu Talib on a trading journey to the Levant along the caravan route leading to Bosra. The caravan stopped in the Al-Buqayawiyya area and rested under the tree.

According to the account, the Prophet (PBUH) and his uncle sat under the tree before meeting the monk Bahira, who recognized signs of the Prophet's characteristics described in earlier scriptures and observed the tree's shade leaning toward him, Khalaileh said.

The monk understood from these signs that the young boy was destined for great importance and advised his uncle, Abu Talib, to return him to Mecca to protect and safeguard him, he added.

Khalaileh said the Al-Buqayawiyya Tree has remained present in historical and popular memory as one of the sites associated with accounts of the Prophet's passage through the area during his journey to the Levant.

//Petra// AF