بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
A Journey Through Time · From the Deserts of Arabia to the Light of All Nations
صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), born in Ur of the Euphrates valley, rejected idol worship and was commanded by Allah to rebuild the Ka'bah in the valley of Bacca (Mecca) alongside his son Ishmael. Together, they raised its foundations and prayed for a messenger to come from among their descendants.
Ishmael's descendants spread across Arabia, forming tribes. One tribe, Quraysh, remained in Mecca as guardians of the Ka'bah. Among their leaders was Hashim, who established the twice-yearly trade caravans — to Syria in summer and Yemen in winter — bringing prosperity to Mecca.
The Prophet's grandfather, 'Abd al-Muttalib, was commanded in a dream to rediscover the well of Zamzam, buried under the sands for generations. After three days of digging, the sacred spring was found. He vowed to Allah that if blessed with ten sons, he would sacrifice one. When the lot fell upon his youngest, 'Abd Allah, the boy was saved after 100 camels were offered in his place.
'Abd Allah, the Prophet's father — described as the finest of Quraysh's young men — married Aminah bint Wahb, the most noble of Quraysh's women. While returning from a trading journey to Syria, 'Abd Allah fell ill in Yathrib and died. His wife Aminah was already expecting their child. Only Allah knew that this orphan would become the greatest of all Prophets.
Abrahah, the Abyssinian viceroy of Yemen, led a great army with a war elephant to destroy the Ka'bah. When his army reached Mecca, the elephant knelt and refused to advance. Allah sent flocks of birds carrying clay stones that rained down on the army, driving them away in ruin. This year was named the Year of the Elephant — the same year the Prophet ﷺ was born.
On a Monday, the twelfth day of Rabi al-Awwal in the Year of the Elephant, Aminah gave birth to a son in Mecca. Signs were seen across Arabia — a Jewish scholar in Yathrib witnessed a new brilliant star never seen before and declared a Prophet had been born. His grandfather 'Abd al-Muttalib, guided by a dream, named the child Muhammad — meaning "The Praised One."
According to Arabian custom, infant Muhammad ﷺ was sent to the desert to be nursed by Halimah of the Banu Sa'd tribe. Wherever Halimah went, blessings followed — her dry grazing land turned lush, her goats gave abundant milk. She returned him to his mother only after he had grown strong. Years later, as an adult, the Prophet ﷺ never forgot her kindness.
When Muhammad ﷺ was six, his mother Aminah took him to visit his father's grave in Yathrib. On their return journey, she fell gravely ill and died, leaving the boy an orphan. His grandfather 'Abd al-Muttalib, who loved him deeply, took him in. But two years later, 'Abd al-Muttalib also passed away. Muhammad ﷺ was then raised by his uncle Abu Talib, who protected and cared for him throughout his life.
At around age twelve, Muhammad ﷺ accompanied his uncle Abu Talib on a trading journey to Syria. Near Busra, a Christian monk named Bahira observed the caravan and noticed a cloud shading one member alone. Examining the boy, he recognized signs described in ancient scriptures and warned Abu Talib to guard his nephew carefully, for great things lay ahead of him.
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, a wealthy and respected merchant of Mecca, employed Muhammad ﷺ to lead her trade caravan to Syria. Impressed by his honesty, character, and the remarkable profits he returned, she proposed marriage through an intermediary. Muhammad ﷺ, aged 25, married Khadijah, aged 40. She became the first Muslim, his greatest supporter, and the mother of his children. Their marriage lasted 25 years until her death.
When the Ka'bah was being rebuilt after a flood, the clans of Quraysh quarreled bitterly over who would have the honor of returning the Black Stone to its place in the eastern corner. They agreed to let the first person to enter the mosque decide. That person was Muhammad ﷺ. He spread his cloak, placed the Stone on it, and asked a representative of each tribe to lift a corner — no blood was shed. The tribes called him "Al-Amin," the Trustworthy.
Muhammad ﷺ had long retreated to the cave of Hira on Mount Nur to meditate. One night in the month of Ramadan, the Archangel Gabriel appeared and commanded: "Read!" Three times the Prophet replied he could not read, and three times Gabriel embraced him tightly. Then the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed. Muhammad ﷺ descended trembling and Khadijah consoled him, saying, "Allah will never disgrace you. You uphold the ties of kinship, speak the truth, and help those in need."
The first to embrace Islam were those closest to the Prophet ﷺ: Khadijah his wife, 'Ali his young cousin, Zayd his adopted son, and Abu Bakr his trusted friend. Abu Bakr brought in several other respected men. For three years the message was spread quietly and privately, as the Muslims strengthened their faith before the public proclamation of Islam.
When the Prophet ﷺ began preaching publicly, the leaders of Quraysh were furious — his message threatened their power and idol trade. They mocked, tortured, and persecuted the early Muslims. Enslaved converts like Bilal ibn Rabah were laid on burning sand with heavy rocks on their chests. Abu Bakr purchased and freed many of them. Yet the community held firm. Islam continued to spread.
Unable to bear the persecution, the Prophet ﷺ advised a group of Muslims to seek refuge with the Negus (Ashama ibn Abjar), the just Christian king of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). When Quraysh envoys came demanding their return, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib recited verses from Surah Maryam before the king. Moved to tears, the Negus refused to hand them over, saying: "Go, for you are free in my country." He later secretly embraced Islam.
In one devastating year, the Prophet ﷺ lost his two greatest pillars of support. His beloved wife Khadijah — his companion of 25 years — died, followed shortly after by his uncle Abu Talib, who had protected him from Quraysh throughout his mission. The Prophet ﷺ named it the Year of Sorrow. Without Abu Talib's protection, persecution intensified and the Prophet was driven from Mecca.
In one miraculous night, the Prophet ﷺ was transported by the Buraq from Mecca to Jerusalem (al-Isra'), where he led all the previous Prophets in prayer at the Masjid al-Aqsa. He was then taken upward through the seven heavens (al-Mi'raj), meeting the Prophets, witnessing Paradise and Hell, and ultimately receiving from Allah the command of fifty daily prayers — reduced through Moses' counsel to five, each carrying the reward of fifty.
When Quraysh plotted to kill the Prophet ﷺ — each tribe sending a man to strike simultaneously so no single tribe bore the blood guilt — he was divinely warned and left in the night with Abu Bakr. They hid for three days in the Cave of Thawr while search parties scoured the land. A spider wove its web across the cave mouth, and a dove nested there, convincing searchers no one had entered. They then made the journey to Yathrib, which became known as Madinah al-Munawwarah — the Radiant City.
The people of Yathrib lined the streets to welcome the Prophet ﷺ, singing hymns of joy. He established the first mosque — Masjid al-Nabawi — and forged a historic Charter of Medina between the Muslim emigrants (Muhajirun), the Ansar (Helpers of Medina), and the Jewish tribes, creating the first pluralistic city-state. The Muhajirun and Ansar were paired as brothers, sharing their wealth and homes.
The first major battle of Islam. Three hundred and thirteen Muslims, poorly equipped, faced an army of over 1,000 Qurayshi warriors. The Muslims prayed earnestly through the night. In the morning, Allah sent angels to fight alongside them. Despite the odds, Quraysh suffered a devastating defeat — 70 of their leaders killed and 70 captured. Among those who fell was Abu Jahl, the bitterest enemy of Islam. The Qur'an called it the "Day of Criterion" between truth and falsehood.
Quraysh returned with 3,000 fighters seeking revenge at Mount Uhud. The Prophet ﷺ stationed fifty archers on a hill with strict orders not to move. When the Muslims initially won the upper hand, most archers abandoned their posts to collect spoils. The Qurayshi cavalry swept around and attacked from behind, turning the battle. The Prophet ﷺ was wounded; 70 Muslims were martyred, including his beloved uncle Hamza. The lesson: victory comes only through obedience and trust in Allah's Messenger.
Quraysh, allied with other tribes — an army of 10,000 — marched on Medina. The Persian-born companion Salman al-Farisi proposed an innovation unknown to Arabia: digging a great trench around the city. For weeks the enormous allied army was stymied by the trench and could not cross. Eventually, internal divisions and a fierce storm broke their resolve. They lifted the siege and retreated — never to threaten Medina again. This was the last major offensive against the Muslim community.
The Prophet ﷺ set out with 1,400 companions to perform the minor pilgrimage. Quraysh blocked their path at Hudaybiyah. A treaty was signed: the Muslims would return that year, but could come freely the next. Many companions found the terms humiliating, but the Prophet ﷺ recognized its wisdom — the Qur'an called it a "manifest victory." In the two years of peace that followed, more people embraced Islam than in all the years before combined.
The Prophet ﷺ sent letters to the rulers of the known world — the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius, the Persian Emperor Chosroes, the Negus of Abyssinia, the Muqawqis of Egypt, and others — inviting them to Islam. Heraclius reportedly told his court that he believed the letter was from a true Prophet. Chosroes tore the letter in rage; the Prophet ﷺ said his kingdom would be torn apart — which came to pass.
When Quraysh violated the treaty, the Prophet ﷺ led 10,000 Muslims in a peaceful march on Mecca. The city surrendered without bloodshed. He entered on his camel with his head bowed in humility, reciting Surah al-Fath. He announced a general amnesty — "Go, you are free" — to those who had persecuted, tortured, and driven him out for twenty years. He then entered the Ka'bah, smashing the 360 idols one by one, and proclaimed: "Truth has come and falsehood has vanished."
Emboldened by their numbers — the largest Muslim army assembled — 12,000 fighters marched into the valley of Hunayn to face the Hawazin tribe. Overly confident, they were ambushed and thrown into confusion. The Prophet ﷺ stood firm, calling the companions back. They rallied and won a great victory. The Qur'an reminded them: it was not their numbers that won battles, but Allah's help. Humility in strength is essential.
In the scorching heat of summer, with crops ripe for harvest, the Prophet ﷺ called on the Muslims to march to Tabuk in response to a potential Byzantine threat. It was the most difficult campaign he ever led. Yet the faithful responded generously — 'Uthman ibn 'Affan equipped a third of the army from his own wealth. The Prophet ﷺ reached Tabuk, found no enemy, and the army returned — the journey itself a testament to sacrifice and sincerity.
More than 100,000 Muslims gathered on the Plain of Arafat. The Prophet ﷺ delivered his final sermon from the back of his camel — a declaration of human rights, justice, and universal brotherhood that resounds across centuries: "All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab… except in piety and good action." He asked the crowd: "Have I delivered the message?" They cried: "Yes!" He said: "O Allah, be my witness."
The Prophet ﷺ fell ill with a severe fever. He asked permission to stay in the home of 'Aisha. Despite his weakness, he continued to lead prayers until he could no longer stand. On a Monday — the same day of the week he was born — his blessed soul departed. The companions were devastated. 'Umar ibn al-Khattab could not accept it. Abu Bakr, standing over his body, said: "Whoever worshipped Muhammad, know that Muhammad has died. But whoever worshipped Allah, know that Allah is alive and never dies." He recited Qur'an 3:144, and 'Umar's knees gave way.