THE LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD..5 Guiding Light

THE LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD..5

The Life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Early Life (570-610 CE)

1. Born in Mecca, Arabia, to the Quraysh tribe
2. Orphaned at age 6; raised by uncle Abu Talib
3. Worked as a merchant and shepherd
4. Married Khadijah, a wealthy businesswoman, at age 25
5. Muhammad was the founder of Islam and the proclaimer of the Quraan, Islam’s sacred scripture. He spent his entire life in what is now the country of Saudi Arabia, from his birth about 570 CE in Mecca to his death in 632 in Medina. According to Islamic tradition, the Quraan, understood as a literal transcription of the speech of God (Allah), was revealed to Muhammad in stages by the archangel Gabriel, beginning in 610

Prophethood (610-632 CE)

THE LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD..5 Guiding Light

1. Received first revelation from Allah through Angel Gabriel at age 40 (Cave Hira)
2. Began preaching Islam in Mecca (613 CE)
3. Faced opposition and persecution from Quraysh leaders
4. Migration to Medina (Hijra, 622 CE)
5. Established the first Islamic community and constitution (Medina Charter)
6. According to Islamic tradition, his father died before Muhammad was born, and his mother died when he was a young child. He is usually said to have had 14 wives or concubines during his lifetime. Although polygamy was then prevalent in Arabic society, he was monogamously married to his first wife, Khadījah, until her death after about 25 years of marriage. He had four daughters and at least two sons (both of whom died as infants) with Khadījah and probably another son (who also died young) by a later wife or concubine, Māriyah. His youngest daughter, Fāṭimah, married Muhammad’s cousin ʿAlī, the fourth of Muhammad’s successors as leader of the Muslim community..

Key Events

1. Night Journey (Isra’ wal-Mi’raj): ascended to heaven, met prophets, and received prayers
2. Battle of Badr (624 CE): first major Islamic victory
3. Battle of Uhud (625 CE): tested faith and perseverance
4. Conquest of Mecca (630 CE): peaceful victory, destroyed idols
5. Farewell Pilgrimage (632 CE): final sermon, emphasized unity and compassion

Teachings and Legacy

THE LIFE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD..5 Guiding Light

1. Quran: revealed book of Allah, guiding humanity
2. Five Pillars of Islam: declaration, prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage
3. Sunnah: Prophet’s sayings, actions, and approvals
4. Justice, compassion, and equality
5. Unity and brotherhood among believers

Companions and Family

1. Abu Bakr: first caliph, closest companion
2. Umar ibn Al-Khattab: second caliph, strong leader
3. Ali ibn Abi Talib: cousin, son-in-law, fourth caliph
4. Khadijah: first wife, supporter, and mother of his children
5. Aisha: youngest wife, renowned narrator of Hadith

Death and Succession (632 CE)

1. Passed away on June 8, 632 CE, in Medina
2. Buried in the Prophet’s Mosque, next to Abu Bakr and Umar
3. Succession crisis: Abu Bakr chosen as first caliph

Books and Resources

1. “The Life of Muhammad” by Ibn Ishaq
2. “The History of the Prophets and Kings” by Al-Tabari
3. “The Quran” (translation by Muhammad Asad)
4. “Hadith” collections (Bukhari, Muslim, etc.)
5. “The Sealed Nectar” by Safi-ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri