Life of the Prophet ﷺ
The Seerah
The life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, told chronologically. From the Year of the Elephant to the Farewell Sermon — 63 years that changed the world.
Era
Pre-prophethood
The Prophet's ﷺ life in Makkah before revelation — birth, family, orphanhood, marriage to Khadijah, and years of contemplation.
53 BH / 570 CE
Makkah
Birth of the Prophet ﷺ
Muhammad ﷺ is born to Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib and Aminah bint Wahb in the Year of the Elephant — the year Abraha's Ethiopian army tried to destroy the Ka'bah and was miraculously repelled (referenced in Surah al-Fil, 105).
Read more47 BH / 576 CE
Al-Abwa (between Makkah and Madinah)
Orphaned at age six
The Prophet's ﷺ father Abdullah had died before his birth. His mother Aminah passes away when he is six, on their return journey from visiting relatives in Yathrib. He is raised first by his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib, then by his uncle Abu Talib.
Read more28 BH / 595 CE
Makkah
Marriage to Khadijah رضي الله عنها
At age 25, the Prophet ﷺ marries Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, a wealthy 40-year-old merchant widow who had hired him for a trading caravan to Syria and was impressed by his character (al-Amin — the trustworthy). Their marriage lasts 25 years until her death, and she is the mother of all his children except Ibrahim.
Read more25 BH / 605 CE
Makkah
Rebuilding the Ka'bah
When a flash flood damages the Ka'bah, the Quraysh tribes rebuild it. A dispute arises over which clan should have the honor of placing the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad) back in its position. The Prophet ﷺ, aged 35, arbitrates by placing the stone on a cloak and having a member of each clan lift a corner — a solution universally accepted.
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Era
Early Makkan period
The first thirteen years of Islam in Makkah — secret preaching, public call, persecution of early Muslims, and the migration to Abyssinia.
27 Ramadan · 13 BH / 610 CE
Cave of Hira, Mount Nur, Makkah
First revelation — Iqra!
While in seclusion in the Cave of Hira during Ramadan at age 40, the Prophet ﷺ receives the first revelation from the angel Jibril: 'Iqra bismi Rabbika alladhi khalaq' — 'Read in the name of your Lord who created' (Surah al-'Alaq 96:1-5). He returns home shaken; Khadijah wraps him and takes him to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, a Christian scholar, who confirms this is the revelation known to Musa (Moses).
Read more13 BH / 610 CE
Makkah
The first Muslims
The first to accept Islam: Khadijah (his wife), Ali ibn Abi Talib (his cousin, age 10, from among youth), Zayd ibn Harithah (his freed slave and adopted son, from among freed men), and Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (his closest friend, from among free men). Abu Bakr's acceptance draws several early converts: Uthman, Zubayr, Talhah, Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, and Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf.
Read more10 BH / 613 CE
Mount Safa, Makkah
Public call to Islam
After three years of private preaching, the Prophet ﷺ climbs Mount Safa and calls the Quraysh openly to Islam, following the revelation 'Then declare what you are commanded' (Surah al-Hijr 15:94). His uncle Abu Lahab responds with hostility, prompting the revelation of Surah al-Masad (111).
Read more8 BH / 615 CE
Aksum, Abyssinia (modern Ethiopia)
Migration to Abyssinia
As Qurayshi persecution intensifies, the Prophet ﷺ instructs a group of Muslims to seek refuge with Negus (an-Najashi), the Christian king of Abyssinia. The first group has 12 men and 4 women, led by Uthman ibn Affan and his wife Ruqayyah (the Prophet's daughter). Negus refuses Qurayshi demands to hand them over after hearing Surah Maryam recited by Ja'far ibn Abi Talib.
Read more7 BH / 616 CE
Shi'b Abi Talib, Makkah
The Qurayshi boycott
The Quraysh impose a total social and economic boycott on the clans of Banu Hashim and Banu al-Muttalib (the Prophet's ﷺ tribe) for refusing to hand him over. For three years the Muslims live in a mountain valley, eating tree leaves to survive. The boycott ends when Qurayshis themselves demand it be lifted after finding that the parchment on which it was written had been eaten by insects — except the words 'In Your Name, O Allah'.
Read more3 BH / 619 CE
Makkah
The Year of Sorrow
Within months of each other, the Prophet ﷺ loses his beloved wife Khadijah (age ~65) and his uncle-protector Abu Talib. Without Khadijah's emotional support and Abu Talib's tribal protection, Qurayshi persecution reaches its peak. This year is called 'Am al-Huzn — the Year of Sorrow.
Read more3 BH / 619 CE
Ta'if
The Journey to Ta'if
Seeking new support, the Prophet ﷺ travels 60 miles to Ta'if to preach to the Thaqif tribe. They reject him harshly, setting street children upon him to pelt him with stones until his shoes fill with blood. His famous du'a of complete reliance on Allah — 'Ash-ku ilayka du'fa quwwati' — dates from this event. The angel of the mountains offers to crush the city; the Prophet ﷺ refuses, hoping their descendants would accept Islam.
Read more27 Rajab · 1 BH / 621 CE
Makkah → Jerusalem → Heavens
Al-Isra' and Al-Mi'raj
The Night Journey from the Sacred Mosque in Makkah to al-Aqsa in Jerusalem (al-Isra'), then the Ascension through the seven heavens to the Divine Presence (al-Mi'raj). The five daily prayers are prescribed. The Prophet ﷺ meets the previous prophets and leads them in prayer at al-Aqsa. Referenced in Surah al-Isra 17:1 and detailed in Sahih hadith.
Read more0 AH / 621-622 CE
Al-'Aqabah, near Mina
The Pledges of al-'Aqabah
Twelve men from Yathrib (Madinah) pledge allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ at 'Aqabah — the First Pledge, largely a moral covenant. The following year, 73 men and 2 women from Madinah return and take the Second Pledge, promising military protection. This paves the way for the Hijrah.
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Era
The Hijrah
The migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE — the pivotal event marking Year 1 of the Islamic calendar.
Era
Madinan period
Ten years of state-building in Madinah — the Constitution of Madinah, major battles (Badr, Uhud, Trench), treaties, and the conquest of Makkah.
1 AH / 622 CE
Madinah
Building the Prophet's Mosque
After settling in Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ purchases a plot of land from two orphans (Sahl and Suhayl) and builds Masjid an-Nabawi — the Prophet's Mosque. It becomes the center of religious, judicial, educational, and political life. His humble living quarters are built adjacent to it.
Read more1 AH / 622 CE
Madinah
The Constitution of Madinah
The Prophet ﷺ authors the Sahifat al-Madinah — a written constitution establishing the rights and duties of Muslims and non-Muslims (including Jewish tribes) in Madinah. It is one of the earliest written constitutions in history and establishes Madinah as a pluralistic city-state.
Read moreSha'ban · 2 AH / 624 CE
Madinah
Change of qiblah to the Ka'bah
For 16 months after the Hijrah, Muslims had prayed toward al-Aqsa in Jerusalem. In the middle of a prayer at Masjid al-Qiblatayn, revelation comes to face the Ka'bah in Makkah instead. The whole congregation turns mid-prayer — hence the mosque's name 'Mosque of the Two Qiblahs.' Revealed in Surah al-Baqarah 2:144.
Read more17 Ramadan · 2 AH / 624 CE
Badr, ~80 miles SW of Madinah
Battle of Badr
The first major battle. 313 Muslims (with 2 horses and 70 camels) meet a Qurayshi army of ~1000 well-equipped fighters. Despite being outnumbered 3:1, the Muslims win a decisive victory — described in the Quran as a manifest sign (Surah Al 'Imran 3:123-125). Fourteen Muslims are martyred; 70 Qurayshi leaders are killed and 70 captured.
Read more7 Shawwal · 3 AH / 625 CE
Mount Uhud, north of Madinah
Battle of Uhud
The Quraysh return with 3,000 fighters seeking revenge for Badr. The 700 Muslims (300 hypocrites having deserted) are initially winning until the archers stationed on a hill abandon their post to collect spoils — against the Prophet's ﷺ explicit orders. Khalid ibn al-Walid (still non-Muslim at this point) leads a counter-charge. 70 Muslims are martyred including Hamza (the Prophet's ﷺ uncle). The Prophet ﷺ is wounded. Revealed in Surah Al 'Imran 3:139-152.
Read moreShawwal · 5 AH / 627 CE
Madinah
Battle of the Trench (al-Khandaq)
A coalition of 10,000 fighters (Quraysh + Ghatafan + Jewish tribes) besieges Madinah. On Salman al-Farsi's suggestion, the Muslims dig a trench along the exposed northern side — a novel tactic in Arabian warfare. After ~30 days of siege, a fierce cold wind and rain forces the coalition to disperse without a major battle. Revealed in Surah al-Ahzab 33.
Read moreDhul-Qi'dah · 6 AH / 628 CE
Hudaybiyyah, near Makkah
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
The Prophet ﷺ leads 1,400 companions toward Makkah to perform 'umrah, unarmed. The Quraysh block them. A 10-year peace treaty is signed at Hudaybiyyah despite terms that appear unfavorable to Muslims (they must turn back and can perform umrah only next year). The Quran calls it 'a manifest victory' (Surah al-Fath 48:1) — it proves so, as peace opens the floodgates for da'wah and mass conversions.
Read more6 AH / 628 CE
Madinah
Letters to world rulers
The Prophet ﷺ dispatches letters inviting the rulers of neighboring empires to Islam — Heraclius (Byzantine), Chosroes II (Sasanian Persia), Muqawqis (Egypt), Negus (Abyssinia), and several Arab kings. Heraclius investigates carefully; Chosroes tears the letter and dies within a year (as the Prophet ﷺ had said 'may Allah tear his kingdom'); Muqawqis sends the Prophet ﷺ Maryam the Copt as a gift, who becomes mother of Ibrahim.
Read more20 Ramadan · 8 AH / 630 CE
Makkah
The Conquest of Makkah (Fath Makkah)
After the Quraysh violate Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet ﷺ enters Makkah with 10,000 companions. The city surrenders almost without bloodshed. He circumambulates the Ka'bah, breaks its 360 idols reciting 'Truth has come and falsehood has vanished' (Surah al-Isra 17:81), and grants a general amnesty to the Quraysh with the words: 'Go, for you are free.'
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Era
Farewell & passing
The Farewell Pilgrimage, the Farewell Sermon, and the Prophet's ﷺ passing in Rabi' al-Awwal 11 AH.
Dhul-Hijjah · 10 AH / 632 CE
Makkah, Arafat, Mina
The Farewell Pilgrimage
The Prophet's ﷺ only Hajj, performed with ~124,000 companions. On the plain of Arafat he delivers the Farewell Sermon — the foundational address of Islamic ethics and law. It affirms: sanctity of life/property/honor, abolition of tribal blood feuds and usury, rights of women, brotherhood beyond race, and finality of his message. The Quran declares: 'This day I have perfected your religion for you' (Surah al-Ma'idah 5:3).
Read more12 Rabi' al-Awwal · 11 AH / 632 CE
Madinah
The Prophet's ﷺ passing
Three months after the Farewell Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ falls ill with a high fever. His final days are spent in the room of his wife A'ishah رضي الله عنها. He passes away with his head on her lap, at age 63. His last words: 'With the highest companions (of paradise).' Abu Bakr addresses the shocked community: 'Whoever worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad is dead. Whoever worshipped Allah, Allah is Living and never dies' — quoting Surah Al 'Imran 3:144. He is buried where he died, in A'ishah's room, which is now part of Masjid an-Nabawi.
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Sourced from Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtum (Mubarakpuri) and Ibn Hisham's Sirat Rasul Allah, cross-referenced with Sahih hadith.