A Brief History of Muhammad
The Early Years
- Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Makkah in the year 570 CE, during the period of history Europeans call the Middle Ages.
- Muhammad (pbuh) was the son of 'Abd Allah, a noble from the tribe of the Quraysh. Muhammad's father died before Muhammad's birth, and his mother, Aminah died shortly after when he was only six years old. He then lived with his grandfather Abdul Muttalib who also died two years later. These early childhood losses contributed to the development of Muhammad’s character and an understanding of the human condition.
- Muhammad (pbuh) was raised by his uncle, Abu Talib who was a merchant.
- As he grew up, Muhammad (pbuh) became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, earning the title of al Amin, the trustworthy one. Muhammad (pbuh) was frequently called upon to arbitrate disputes and counsel his fellow Makkans.
Prophethood
- Muhammad (pbuh) was of a contemplative nature, and had long detested the decadence of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the Cave of Hira' near the summit of Jabal al Nur, the 'Mountain of Light' near Makkah.
- At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad (pbuh) received his first revelation from God through the Archangel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Qur'an.
- Muhammad (pbuh) began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel and to preach the truth, which God had revealed, to him. The people of Makkah were steeped in their ways of ignorance and opposed Muhammad (pbuh) and his small group of followers in every way. These early Muslims suffered bitter persecution.
The Hijra
In the year 622 CE, God gave the Muslim community the command to emigrate. This event, the Hijra or migration, in which they left Makkah for the city of Madina, some 260 miles to the North, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. Madina provided Muhammad (pbuh) and the Muslims the safe and nurturing haven in which the Muslim community grew.The Return to Makkah
After several years, the Prophet (pbuh) and his followers returned to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies and dedicated the Ka'bah to the worship of the One God. Before the Prophet (pbuh) died at the age of 63, the greater part of Arabia was Muslim, and within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the west and as far east as China.http://www.islamispeace.org.uk
