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570
Mecca at the Time of Muhammad's Birth
The city of Mecca was used as a huge trading route, known for things like spices, soaps, and carpets. During this year a church called Al-qullays was built, rumored to be the best place for worship. When it was defiled it caused the ruler Abraha to go to war, which started the year of the elephant. Abraha wanted to destroy Mecca, he had a large army with war elephants but arriving at the border of Mecca the lead elephant (Mahmud) stopped and refused to enter. -
570
Al-Qullays
The church, al-qullays was built, which started the year of the elephant. The church was rumored to be better than any other place of worship, when it got defiled, that caused Abraha to go to war. The city was After Muhammad emigrated to Medina the city was still having conflict between the Quraysh and the Muslims. -
571
Muhammad's Early Life
Born in the month of Rabial-awwal. He lived in Mecca for 52 years before leaving for the city of Medina. Born into the Banu Hashim clan, which was one of Mecca's prominent families. Lived in the desert until he was 2. His father died 6 months before his birth, his mother died when he was 6 years old. He was then taken care of by his grandfather until his death when Muhammad was 8. Then he was taken care of by his uncle. -
580
Struggles in Mecca
The area surrounding Mecca was completely barren, it was still the wealthiest of the three settlements with abundant water via the renowned zamzam well and the position of the cross roads of the major caravan routes. -
580
Struggles In Mecca 2
There was conflict between the tribes but once a year they would declare a truce and converge upon Mecca in an annual pilgrimage. Disputes would be arbitrated, debts would be resolved, and trading would occur at Mecca fairs. These events made Mecca an important focus for the peninsula. -
Nov 3, 605
Muhammad's Teen Years
He accompanied his uncle on Syrian trading journeys as a teen. Became a merchant. Acquired the nickname "al-Amin" which means faithful. Married Khadijah, a 40 year old widow, in 595. 5 years prior to Muhammad becoming a prophet he was asked to place the black stone in place in the wall of the Kaaba (605). -
Nov 3, 610
Muhammad Life
Muhammad prayed alone in a cave named Hira, on mount jabal al-Nour, near Mecca for several weeks every year. That was the cave where the angel Gabriel first appeared to him and commanded him to spread which would become some verses in the Quran. -
Nov 3, 622
Hijra Return to Mecca
In 622 Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Yathrib. He was a prophet then, leaving the city to escape assassination. He left secretly with a number of his followers. The city of Yathrib was later named Medina meaning "the city". Before entering the city of Medina, Muhammad stopped at a place called Quba and established a mosque there. When he arrived in the city of Medina, he and his followers were greeted cordially by its people.
