Calligraphic representation of muhammad's name

Outline of Muhammad's Life

  • 570

    Birth

    Birth
    He was born Abu al-Qasim Muḥammad ibn Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim ibn Abd Manaf ibn Qusai ibn Kilab. This name means "to praise, to glorify". He was born in the town of Mecca, which was already a religious town because it had the Black Stone, the Kabah.
  • 595

    Marriage

    Marriage
    Muhammad married a woman named Khadija. She was an older, wealthy widow. Together they had six children.
  • 595

    Death of His Mother

    Death of His Mother
    Muhammad was orphaned after his mother died. He first was placed into the protection of his paternal grandfather, and later his uncle.
  • 610

    First Revelation

    First Revelation
    Muhammad was 40 when on Mount Hira he received his first revelation. At first he thought he was hallucinating, losing his mind, or witnessing a demonic apparition. He became convinced that it was in fact the Angel Gabriel, and shared about his vision with his wife, close friends, and family. These were the first Muslims, or “People who submit” (to God).
  • 613

    Taking the Message Public

    Taking the Message Public
    Mohammad took his message public into the city of Mecca. His messages that he believed were from Allah were later compiled into the Qur'an. His message was not well recieved by Mecca.
  • 622

    Fleeing Mecca

    Fleeing Mecca
    Mohammad's messages were poorly received because his revelations included the destruction of statues and images and to end lending money at overpriced rates, which angered the businessmen of Mecca. Thus his followers were persecuted and they had to move to the city of Medina.
  • 624

    Beginning of Major Battles with the Meccans

    Beginning of Major Battles with the Meccans
    Muhammad and his Muslims had three major battles with the Meccans. He won at the first and third, the Battle of Badr and the Battle of the Trench. They lost at the second, the Battle of Uhud.
  • 630

    Conquers Mecca

    Conquers Mecca
    Eventually, with enough followers, the Muslims overwhelmed the Meccans. They marched into Mecca with the help of Arabic tribes, completely unchallenged, without any lives lost.
  • 632

    Meccan Pilgrimage

    Meccan Pilgrimage
    Mohammad had one last pilgrimage to Mecca before his death. He took with him tens of thousands of Muslims, and gave the famous Farewell sermon to his people. The sermon encouraged Muslims to follow his teachings and the Qur'an.
  • 632

    Death

    Death
    Mohammed died of illness in Medina. He died 3 months after his final pilgrimage. He is buried in the mosque in Medina.