Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)*

* Muslims are obligated to say sallallahu alayhi wa sallam (PBUH), which means peace and blessings be upon him, whenever they mention Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The Prophet’s (PBUH) early life & family

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in the holy city of Mecca in the year 570 AD.

  • His father’s name was Abdullah bin Al-Mutallib.
  • His mother’s name was Aaminah bint Wahb.
  • He was an only child.
  • He belonged to the Bani Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. They were very powerful and controlled the Kaaba at that time.
  • The Prophet’s (PBUH) father passed away shortly after he was born, and his mother passed away when he was just 6 years old.
  • He had a wet nurse named Halima bint Abi Dhuab, who took care of the Prophet (PBUH) until he was 2 years old. The Prophet (PBUH) was very fond of Halima and always showed her kindness and respect when he got older.
  • His grandfather was Abd ul Muttalib, who took care of him after his mother passed away.
  • When the Prophet (PBUH) was 8 years old, his grandfather also passed away. His uncle Abu Talib, who then became the leader of the Banu Hashim clan, raised and protected him.

The Prophet (PBUH) worked as a shepherd and a trader/merchant.

Marriage and Children

The Prophet’s (PBUH) first marriage was to Khadeejah bint Khuwaylid, and they were married for 25 years. She was a wealthy widow, and she had employed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to take her caravans for trading.

She was so impressed by his honesty and hard work that she sent him a proposal of marriage, which He accepted.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had 4 daughters.

  1. Zaynab
  2. Umm-e-Kulsoom
  3. Ruqaiyah
  4. Fatimah

He (PBUH) also had three sons who all died in childhood:

  1. Qasim
  2. Abdullah
  3. Ibraheem

All of the Prophet’s (PBUH) children passed away in his lifetime except for his daughter, Fatimah.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Khadeejah were married for 25 years, and she died in 619.

After Khadeeja’s death, the prophet (PBUH) married some more great women in Islam. 

The wives of the Prophet (PBUH) are known as the 'Mothers of the Believers'. Some of them include Sawdah bint Zam’ah, Aishah bint Abu Bakr, Hafsah bint Umar, Umm Habibah and Juwayriah bint Al-Harith.

The Prophet’s (PBUH) Character

The Prophet (PBUH) had excellent character throughout his life. He was always reliable and honest.

He always showed kindness to others and gave to those in need.

He was patient, kind, gracious, compassionate, and merciful. He was brave and courageous.

The people of Makkah always trusted Him with their possessions. For these reasons, He was nicknamed "Al-Sadiq" and "Al-Ameen", which means "Honest" and "Trustworthy" in Arabic.
  • Even though our Prophet (PBUH) was the leader of all humankind, he was always humble and modest.
  • The Prophet (PBUH) was a man of simplicity and humility. There was nothing luxurious in his life; he lived in very simple quarters with very few material possessions.
  • He would give his full attention to anyone addressing him. He never belittled anyone, including his enemies.
  • He spent long periods in silence and only talked when necessary. He was always welcoming to his guests.
  • The Prophet (PBUH) was also very kind to animals and forbade any cruelty towards them.

PROPHETHOOD

The Prophet (PBUH) used to spend time in Cave Hira even before he became a prophet.

Cave Hira is in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, on a mountain called Jabal-un-Noor, or “Mountain of Light.”

One night, the angel Jibreel visited the Cave. Angel Jibreel asked the Prophet (PBUH) to read, but The Prophet (PBUH) had never learned to read or write. He replied that he could not read. The Angel Jibreel asked again, and the Prophet (PBUH) replied the same.

After the third time, Angel Jibreel revealed the first 5 ayat (verses) of the Holy Quran. These verses were from Surah Alaq and are as follows:

ٱقۡرَأۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ

Read, in the name of your Lord who created –

خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِنۡ عَلَقٍ

Created man from a clinging clot.

ٱقۡرَأۡ وَرَبُّكَ ٱلۡأَكۡرَمُ

Read, and your Lord is the most Generous –

ٱلَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِٱلۡقَلَمِ

Who taught by the pen

عَلَّمَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مَا لَمۡ يَعۡلَمۡ

Taught man that which he knew not.

After receiving the first revelation from Allah Almighty, the Prophet (PBUH) was scared and shaken up.

He went home to his wife, Khadeejah, and told her everything.

She comforted him and told him that Allah Almighty would take care of him. Khadeejah was the first person to convert to Islam. 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) became a Messenger of Allah Almighty at the age of 40, when He recieved his first revelation.

Death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) died in the year 632 AD, the 11th year of Hijrah, in the city of Al-Madinah al-Munawwara.

He is buried in Masjid Al-Nabawi (The Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque) in present-day Saudi Arabia.

The Prophet’s (PBUH) Mosque in Madinah