The complete biography of the last messenger of Allah
"Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often."
- Quran 33:21Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in Mecca in the Year of the Elephant ('Am al-Fil). His father, Abdullah, had passed away before his birth [citation:5][citation:8].
Birthplace: Mecca, Arabia
Lineage: Descendant of Prophet Ishmael (AS), son of Abraham (AS)
When Muhammad ﷺ was six years old, his mother Aminah passed away in Abwa' while returning from Medina. He became an orphan [citation:5][citation:8].
His grandfather Abdul-Muttalib, who had taken care of him, passed away. His uncle Abu Talib became his guardian [citation:5].
At age 12, Muhammad ﷺ accompanied his uncle Abu Talib on a trade journey to Syria. A Christian monk named Bahira recognized the signs of prophethood in him [citation:5].
At age 25, Muhammad ﷺ married Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, a noble and wealthy merchant. She was 40 years old. She became his first and most beloved wife [citation:5][citation:8].
Children from Khadijah: Qasim, Abdullah, Zainab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, Fatimah (RA)
The Quraysh rebuilt the Kaaba. Muhammad ﷺ was chosen to place the Black Stone (Hajr al-Aswad) due to his honesty and trustworthiness [citation:5].
At age 40, while meditating in Cave Hira on Mountain Nur, Angel Jibril (Gabriel) appeared to him with the first revelation [citation:8][citation:9]:
"Read! In the Name of your Lord Who created. Created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous." (Quran 96:1-3)
Khadijah (RA) became the first person to accept Islam [citation:5].
After three years of secret preaching, Prophet ﷺ was commanded to publicly invite people to Islam. He gathered his clan on Safa hill and declared his prophethood [citation:5].
Due to severe persecution by the Quraysh, Prophet ﷺ advised some Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) where the Christian king Najashi gave them protection [citation:5].
The Quraysh imposed a social and economic boycott on Banu Hashim (Prophet's clan). Muslims suffered severe hardship for three years [citation:5].
Two major losses occurred this year: His beloved wife Khadijah (RA) and his uncle Abu Talib (his protector) both passed away [citation:5][citation:8].
Prophet ﷺ was miraculously taken from Masjid al-Haram in Mecca to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, then ascended to the heavens where he met previous prophets and received the command for five daily prayers [citation:5].
12 people from Medina (then called Yathrib) accepted Islam and pledged to support Prophet ﷺ [citation:5].
75 people from Medina accepted Islam and invited Prophet ﷺ to migrate to Medina [citation:5].
After receiving divine permission, Prophet ﷺ migrated from Mecca to Medina with his close companion Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA). This marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar) [citation:5][citation:8].
Prophet ﷺ established a treaty between Muslims, Jews, and other tribes in Medina, creating the first Islamic state [citation:5].
Prophet ﷺ established bonds of brotherhood between the Meccan migrants (Muhajirin) and Medinan helpers (Ansar) [citation:5].
After the Quraysh violated the treaty, Prophet ﷺ marched to Mecca with 10,000 Muslims. The city surrendered without bloodshed. Prophet ﷺ forgave all his enemies and declared a general amnesty [citation:5].
Important event: He destroyed all 360 idols in the Kaaba and established it as the center of Islamic monotheism.
After Mecca's conquest, Muslim forces fought against the Hawazin tribe at Hunayn. After victory, Taif surrendered [citation:5].
Prophet ﷺ performed his first and only Hajj after the conquest of Mecca. On the plain of Arafat, he delivered the famous Farewell Sermon [citation:5].
Key teachings from the sermon:
On Monday, June 8, 632 CE (12 Rabi' al-Awwal 11 AH), Prophet Muhammad ﷺ passed away at the age of 63 in Medina. He was buried in the chamber of his wife Aisha (RA), which is now part of the Prophet's Mosque (Al-Masjid al-Nabawi) [citation:5][citation:8].
His close companion Abu Bakr (RA) announced: "Whoever worshipped Muhammad, know that Muhammad is dead. Whoever worshipped Allah, know that Allah is Ever-Living and never dies."
This biography is compiled from authentic sources including: