Seerah — Life of the Prophet ﷺ
A timeline of key events in the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Birth of the Prophet ﷺ
Muhammad ibn Abdullah ﷺ was born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant (Aam ul Fil), on the 12th of Rabi ul Awwal. His father Abdullah had died before his birth. He was born into the noble Banu Hashim clan of Quraysh.
Death of his mother Aminah (RA)
The Prophet ﷺ was just 6 years old when his mother Aminah (RA) passed away on the journey back from Madinah. He was then raised by his grandfather Abdul Muttalib.
Death of Abdul Muttalib
At age 8, the Prophet ﷺ lost his grandfather Abdul Muttalib, who had raised him with great love. He then came under the guardianship of his uncle Abu Talib.
Marriage to Sayyidah Khadijah (RA)
The Prophet ﷺ married Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (RA) at age 25. She was a noble, prosperous businesswoman and became the first Muslim. Their marriage was a model of love, loyalty and partnership. She supported him completely throughout the early years of prophethood.
Arbitration at the Ka'bah
The Prophet ﷺ wisely resolved a tribal dispute over who would place the Black Stone (Hajar ul Aswad) back in its place after renovation. He laid it on a cloak and had each tribe hold a corner, then placed it himself — earning the title 'Al-Ameen' (The Trustworthy).
First Revelation — Beginning of Prophethood
At age 40, in the Cave of Hira on Jabal an-Nur, the Angel Jibril (AS) appeared and revealed the first ayahs of Surah Al-'Alaq: 'Read in the name of your Lord who created...' The Prophet ﷺ returned to Khadijah (RA) trembling; she comforted him and they went to Waraqa ibn Nawfal who confirmed it was prophethood.
Public Preaching Begins
After 3 years of private preaching, the Prophet ﷺ was commanded to preach publicly. He climbed Mount Safa and called the Quraysh, beginning with: 'O people of Quraysh! If I told you that an army was coming over this hill, would you believe me?' — establishing his trustworthiness before delivering the message.
First Migration to Abyssinia
As persecution intensified, the Prophet ﷺ permitted a group of companions to migrate to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), where the just Christian king Negus (Ashama ibn Abjar) gave them refuge. This was the first Islamic migration in history.
Year of Sorrow (Aam ul Huzn)
In this year, the Prophet ﷺ suffered two devastating losses: his beloved wife Khadijah (RA) passed away, followed by his uncle Abu Talib — the two pillars of his personal and social support. He was deeply grieved. This year severely weakened his protection in Makkah.
Night Journey & Ascension (Isra wal Miraj)
Allah transported the Prophet ﷺ at night from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem (Isra), then ascended through the heavens (Miraj), meeting the prophets and reaching a station of closeness to Allah unattained by any creation. The five daily prayers were made obligatory during this journey.
The Hijrah — Migration to Madinah
After years of persecution, the Prophet ﷺ was divinely permitted to migrate to Yathrib (later called Madinah). He migrated with Abu Bakr (RA), hiding in the Cave of Thawr for 3 days. This historic migration marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (1 AH).
The Constitution of Madinah
The Prophet ﷺ established the first written city-state constitution — the Charter of Madinah — uniting Muslim, Jewish, and tribal communities under common governance, mutual defense, and respect for religious freedoms. It was a pioneering model of plural governance.
Battle of Badr
The first major battle of Islam. An army of 313 poorly-equipped Muslims faced 1,000 Quraysh warriors near the wells of Badr. With Allah's aid, the Muslims achieved a decisive victory. 70 Quraysh were killed and 70 taken captive. This battle established the Islamic state's military presence.
Battle of Uhud
The Quraysh returned with 3,000 fighters to avenge Badr. Initial Muslim success turned to hardship when archers abandoned their post (against the Prophet's ﷺ orders) to collect spoils. The Prophet ﷺ was wounded, and the uncle he loved most, Hamza (RA) — the Lion of Allah — was martyred.
Battle of the Trench (Khandaq)
A coalition of 10,000 enemies besieged Madinah. The Prophet ﷺ accepted the suggestion of Salman al-Farisi (RA) to dig a trench around the city — an unprecedented tactic in Arabia. After weeks of standoff, Allah sent a fierce wind and discord among the enemy coalition, causing them to withdraw.
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
The Prophet ﷺ and 1,400 companions traveled to Makkah for Umrah but were stopped. A peace treaty was signed with Quraysh, apparently unfavorable to Muslims — but Allah called it 'a manifest victory' (Quran 48:1). It opened Makkah to Islam peacefully and grew the Muslim community massively.
Letters to World Leaders
The Prophet ﷺ sent letters to the rulers of Persia (Khosrow II), Byzantium (Heraclius), Egypt (Muqawqis), Abyssinia (Negus), and others inviting them to Islam — demonstrating his mission was global, not merely to the Arabs.
Conquest of Makkah (Fath Makkah)
After Quraysh violated the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet ﷺ led 10,000 Muslims to Makkah. They entered almost without bloodshed. He stood at the Ka'bah and declared a general amnesty: 'No blame shall be on you today. Go, for you are free.' The idols in the Ka'bah were removed.
Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat ul Wada)
In his only Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ addressed approximately 124,000 companions at Mount Arafah in a speech establishing human equality, the sanctity of life and property, the final message of Islam, and that he was leaving them with 'the Book of Allah and the Sunnah.' He said: 'O people! Listen, for I may not be among you next year.'
Passing of the Prophet ﷺ
On the 12th of Rabi ul Awwal, 11 AH (June 8, 632 CE), the Prophet ﷺ passed away in Madinah, at the age of 63, in the arms of his beloved wife Aisha (RA). When the news spread, Umar (RA) was in denial. Abu Bakr (RA) calmed everyone, reciting: 'Whoever worships Muhammad (ﷺ), then Muhammad has died; but whoever worships Allah, then Allah is Ever-Living and never dies.' (Quran 3:144)