The Sirah
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From the Year of the Elephant to the cave of Hira: about 40 years.
About 570 · age 0 · Rabi' al-Awwal
The Year of the Elephant (about 570); many scholars say Rabi' al-Awwal; the day is not agreedMost scholarsAges 3+
Makkah · An elephant and a flock of small birds
A baby is born in Makkah.
The year he ﷺ was born, an army with an elephant came to destroy the Ka'bah, and Allah sent flocks of birds to stop it, so it was called the Year of the Elephant. His father 'Abdullah had already died, and his mother Aminah named him Muhammad.
About 571 · age 1
His first years (about 570-575)Most scholarsAges 3+
The desert of Banu Sa'd · A tent and a small herd of sheep
Growing strong in the desert.
As was the custom, baby Muhammad ﷺ was looked after by Halimah, a woman from the desert tribe of Banu Sa'd. He grew up strong in the desert air before going home to his mother.
About 576 · age 6
About 576-578, aged 6 to 8Most scholarsAges 5+
Al-Abwa' and Makkah · A warm home
His family looked after him.
When he ﷺ was six, his mother Aminah passed away. His grandfather 'Abd al-Muttalib took him in, and after his grandfather died, his uncle Abu Talib cared for him like his own son. Allah later reminded him that He had found him an orphan and given him a home.
About 590 · age 20
About 590, aged about 20Most scholarsAges 5+
Makkah · Fair scales
Stand up for what is fair.
A visitor to Makkah was cheated and nobody helped him. Some families of Makkah promised to always stand up for anyone treated unfairly, local or stranger. The young Muhammad ﷺ was there.
About 595 · age 25
About 595, aged 25Most scholarsAges 3+
Makkah and the trade road to Sham · A trader's scales with fruit
Honest in every deal.
He ﷺ looked after sheep as a young man, then worked as a trader. Khadijah, a respected businesswoman, trusted him with her goods for a journey to Sham, and later they married.
Hadith: Bukhari 2262
About 605 · age 35
About 605, aged about 35; the month is not knownMonth not knownAges 3+
The Ka'bah, Makkah · The black stone on a cloth
A fair idea, and teamwork.
When the Ka'bah was rebuilt, the tribes argued about who would put the black stone back. He ﷺ put it on a cloth, every tribe held the edge and lifted it together, and he set it in place.
Hadith: Ahmad 15504
Thirteen years of calling to Allah, with patience.
About 610 · age 40 · Ramadan
Ramadan 610, aged 40AgreedAges 3+
The cave of Hira, Jabal an-Nur · A small cave on a mountain, at night
The first words of the Quran.
He ﷺ used to worship Allah quietly in a small cave on a mountain. There, in Ramadan, the angel Jibril brought the first verses of the Quran. Khadijah comforted him and believed him.
Hadith: Bukhari 3
About 611 · age 41
The first years of prophethood (about 610-613)Most scholarsAges 4+
Makkah · Friends gathering, a string of beads
The first friends of Islam.
At first he ﷺ shared Islam quietly with the people closest to him. Khadijah, his friend Abu Bakr, his young cousin 'Ali and Zayd were among the first to believe. Small groups met to learn together.
About 613 · age 43
About 613Most scholarsAges 4+
Mount Safa, Makkah · A small hill near the Ka'bah
Calling everyone to Allah.
Allah told him ﷺ to call his family openly. He climbed the little hill of Safa and called the people of Makkah together, inviting them to worship Allah alone. Some listened; many leaders turned away.
Hadith: Bukhari 4770
About 614 · age 44
About 614-615Most scholarsAges 8+
Makkah · A small plant growing through a crack
Patient in hard times.
Some leaders of Makkah began to hurt the Muslims, especially those with no family to protect them. Bilal was made to suffer in the hot sun, and he kept saying that Allah is One. The Muslims stayed patient and kept their faith.
For grown-ups: A story of persecution: for older children, told gently.
About 615 · age 45
The 5th year of prophethood (about 615); Rajab is often givenScholars differAges 4+
Abyssinia (Ethiopia) · A small boat
A fair king across the sea.
Some early Muslims crossed the sea to Abyssinia, where a just king gave them protection. The Prophet ﷺ wanted his companions to be safe.
Hadith: Ahmad 1740
About 616 · age 46
About 616Most scholarsAges 4+
Makkah · A young tree growing tall
Two strong men join Islam.
His uncle Hamzah, known for his courage, became Muslim. Soon after, 'Umar, who had been against Islam, became Muslim too, and the Muslims felt stronger.
Hadith: Bukhari 3684
About 617 · age 47
About 616-619; dates varyScholars differAges 6+
The valley of Abu Talib, Makkah · A basket of shared food
Kind people shared food.
The leaders of Makkah agreed that nobody would trade with his ﷺ family, and they lived in a valley for about three years, often hungry. Kind people secretly shared food, and in the end the agreement was broken.
About 619 · age 49
About 619Most scholarsAges 5+
Makkah · A heart with a bandage
A very sad year.
In the same year his ﷺ beloved wife Khadijah and his uncle Abu Talib passed away. He missed them deeply. People later called it the year of sorrow.
About 619 · age 49 · Shawwal
About 619; usually placed in ShawwalMost scholarsAges 6+
Ta'if · A heart and a shield
Kind even to unkind people.
He ﷺ went to Ta'if to invite its people to Islam, but they drove him away. When the angel of the mountains offered to punish them, he said no, hoping their children would one day worship Allah.
For grown-ups: Mercy is not putting up with bullying: children can say no and tell a grown-up, and still learn to forgive.
Hadith: Bukhari 3231
About 621 · age 51
Before the Hijrah; the exact date is not agreedScholars differAges 4+
From Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa, and up through the heavens · The Ka'bah, a masjid far away and a crescent moon
A journey in one night.
In one night, Allah took him ﷺ from the Ka'bah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, and then up through the heavens. On that journey Allah gave the Muslims the five daily prayers.
Hadith: Bukhari 349
About 621 · age 51 · Dhul Hijjah
The Hajj seasons of about 621 and 622Most scholarsAges 5+
'Aqabah, near Mina · A promise card and a tree
Promises to protect him.
During two Hajj seasons, people from Yathrib (later called Madinah) met him ﷺ at 'Aqabah, became Muslim and promised to protect him. They invited the Muslims to come and live in their city.
About 622 · age 52 · Safar
622; usually dated Safar to Rabi' al-Awwal, later counted as 1 AHMost scholarsAges 4+
Makkah, the cave of Thawr and the road to Madinah · A map and a water skin
The journey to Madinah.
He ﷺ left Makkah at night with Abu Bakr, hid in the cave of Thawr for three nights, then travelled the long road to Madinah. Later, Muslims began counting their years from this journey.
Hadith: Bukhari 3905
Ten years of building a community, until the religion was complete.
About 622 · age 52 · Rabi' al-Awwal
Rabi' al-Awwal, 622 (1 AH)Most scholarsAges 3+
Quba and Madinah · Building blocks and palm trees
Building the first masjids.
He ﷺ arrived at Quba, where a masjid was built, then went on to Madinah and built his masjid there, helping with the work himself. The people of Madinah shared their homes and farms with the Muslims from Makkah, like brothers.
At-Tawbah 9:108 →Al-Hashr 59:9 →
Hadith: Bukhari 3906
About 624 · age 54
2 AH (624); Sha'ban or RajabScholars differAges 4+
Madinah · A compass and the Ka'bah
Facing the Ka'bah to pray.
Allah told the Muslims to face the Ka'bah in Makkah when they pray, instead of Jerusalem. That year, fasting in Ramadan also became a duty.
Al-Baqarah 2:144 →Al-Baqarah 2:183 →
Hadith: Bukhari 4486
About 624 · age 54 · Ramadan
17 Ramadan, 2 AH (624)AgreedAges 7+
The wells of Badr · A map with a well
Allah helped the small group.
A small Muslim group met a much bigger army from Makkah at the wells of Badr. The Prophet ﷺ made dua all night, and Allah helped the Muslims.
About 625 · age 55 · Shawwal
Shawwal, 3 AH (625)AgreedAges 7+
Mount Uhud, near Madinah · A mountain puzzle
Learning from a hard day.
At Mount Uhud the Muslims faced a difficult test. They learnt that following good guidance, working together and learning from mistakes are important, and that a hard day does not mean Allah has left us.
About 627 · age 57
5 AH (627); Shawwal or Dhul Qa'dahScholars differAges 7+
The north side of Madinah · A sand tray with a trench
Digging together to stay safe.
A large army came towards Madinah. The Muslims dug a long trench to protect the city, and the Prophet ﷺ dug and carried earth alongside them. Allah sent a strong wind, and the army went home.
Hadith: Bukhari 2837
About 628 · age 58 · Dhul Qa'dah
Dhul Qa'dah, 6 AH (628)AgreedAges 4+
Hudaybiyah · A tree and a written agreement
Choosing peace.
On the way to 'umrah, the Muslims were stopped at Hudaybiyah. The Prophet ﷺ chose a peace agreement, and Allah called it a clear victory.
About 628 · age 58
About 6-7 AH (628); the letters went at different timesScholars differAges 5+
Madinah, and kingdoms near and far · Letters with seals
Letters to faraway kings.
In the time of peace, the Prophet ﷺ sent letters to rulers such as the emperor of Rome, inviting them to Islam. He had a ring made to seal the letters.
Hadith: Bukhari 7
About 628 · age 58 · Muharram
Muharram, 7 AH (628)Most scholarsAges 7+
Khaybar, north of Madinah · A fort, palm trees and a basket of dates
Clear, fair agreements.
Khaybar was a place north of Madinah, known for its strong forts and date farms. After a conflict there, the Prophet ﷺ made an agreement that let its farmers keep working the land and receive a share of the harvest. It teaches us about clear agreements and fair dealing.
For grown-ups: The agreement and its later history are in authentic narrations (Bukhari 2285-2286); it did not last forever and ended in the time of Caliph 'Umar. A conflict with one group in history must never be used to judge people of any faith today.
Hadith: Bukhari 2285
About 630 · age 60 · Ramadan
Ramadan, 8 AH (630)AgreedAges 4+
Makkah and the Ka'bah · A heart and the Ka'bah
Coming home with mercy.
Eight years after leaving, the Prophet ﷺ returned to Makkah, almost without fighting. He cleared the idols from the Ka'bah, and he showed remarkable mercy, forgiving many people who had opposed him.
About 630 · age 60 · Rajab
Rajab, 9 AH (630)Most scholarsAges 7+
Tabuk, far to the north · A backpack, a map and water
A long, hot journey.
The journey to Tabuk was long and hard, in very hot weather. Many Muslims gave their time, strength and belongings to help. The Prophet ﷺ and his companions faced the hardship with patience.
About 631 · age 61
About 9 AH (630-631)Most scholarsAges 4+
Madinah · An open door
Visitors from everywhere.
Groups came from all over Arabia to meet the Prophet ﷺ and learn about Islam, and many became Muslim. People later called it the year of delegations.
About 632 · age 62 · Dhul Hijjah
Dhul Hijjah, 10 AH (632)AgreedAges 4+
Makkah, Mina and 'Arafah · A map of the Hajj places
His only Hajj.
During his only Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ reminded the Muslims to worship Allah, respect one another and fulfil their responsibilities. On 'Arafah, Allah revealed that the religion was complete.
Al-Hujurat 49:13 →Al-Ma'idah 5:3 →
Hadith: Muslim 1218 · Bukhari 45
About 632 · age 63 · Rabi' al-Awwal
Rabi' al-Awwal, 11 AH (632), aged 63; the exact day is not agreedMost scholarsAges 6+
His home beside the masjid in Madinah · A heart, a small plant and a book
We remember him with love.
A few months after the Farewell Hajj, the Prophet ﷺ fell ill and passed away in Madinah, aged 63. His companions were very sad. Abu Bakr reminded them that Allah is Ever-Living and never dies.
For grown-ups: Scholars discuss several reports about the last verses revealed; Al-Baqarah 2:281 is often named among them.
Hadith: Bukhari 3668
