's early life in shaped his character and future role as a prophet. Born into the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe, he was orphaned young and raised by his grandfather and uncle. His marriage to Khadija provided stability and support.
At age 40, Muhammad received divine revelations in the cave of Hira, marking the beginning of Islam. Initially unsure, he gradually accepted his prophetic mission with Khadija's encouragement. Early followers faced opposition from Meccan elites, leading to persecution and eventual migration to .
Early life in Mecca
Muhammad was born in Mecca around 570 CE into the Banu Hashim clan, a less prosperous branch of the influential Quraysh tribe that dominated the city
Orphaned at a young age, Muhammad's father Abdullah died before his birth and his mother Amina passed away when he was six years old
Raised by his paternal grandfather Abd al-Muttalib until age eight and then by his uncle Abu Talib, who became a key protector and supporter
Banu Hashim clan of Quraysh tribe
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The Quraysh tribe controlled Mecca and the sacred Kaaba shrine, which housed idols of various deities and was a site of pilgrimage
As a member of the Banu Hashim clan, Muhammad's early life was influenced by his family's role in Meccan religious life and trade
Though the Banu Hashim lacked the wealth and power of other Quraysh clans, they held the prestigious responsibility of providing water and food to pilgrims
Orphaned at young age
Muhammad's father Abdullah died before he was born, leaving him without paternal support and inheritance
His mother Amina, who was from the distant town of Yathrib (later Medina), died when Muhammad was six years old
These early losses shaped Muhammad's childhood experiences and his later sensitivity to the plight of orphans and the disadvantaged
Raised by grandfather and uncle
After his mother's death, Muhammad came under the care of his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib, the respected patriarch of the Banu Hashim clan
Upon Abd al-Muttalib's death two years later, Muhammad's uncle Abu Talib took on the responsibility of raising him
Abu Talib provided crucial support and protection to Muhammad throughout his life, even as he faced opposition in Mecca
Marriage to Khadija
As a young man, Muhammad began working as a merchant and became known for his trustworthiness, earning the title "al-Amin" (the reliable one)
He came to the attention of Khadija, a wealthy widow who ran a successful caravan trade business
Impressed by Muhammad's character, Khadija proposed marriage to him when he was around 25 years old and she was 40
Their marriage lasted 25 years until Khadija's death and produced four daughters (Fatima, Zainab, Ruqayyah, and Umm Kulthum) and two sons (Qasim and Abdullah) who died in infancy
Divine revelations
Muhammad's prophethood began with divine revelations he received in Mecca around 610 CE at the age of 40
These revelations marked the beginning of Islam and Muhammad's role as the final prophet in the Abrahamic tradition
First revelation in cave of Hira
Muhammad frequently retreated to meditate in the cave of Hira, located on Mount Jabal al-Nour near Mecca
During one of these retreats in the month of Ramadan, Muhammad had his first encounter with the angel (Jibril in Arabic)
Gabriel appeared to Muhammad and commanded him to "Read!" or "Recite!" (Iqra in Arabic), to which Muhammad replied that he could not read
The angel embraced Muhammad tightly and repeated the command until Muhammad recited the first verses of what would become the Quran, starting with "Read in the name of your Lord who created..." (Quran 96:1-5)
Recitations from angel Gabriel
Over the next 23 years until his death, Muhammad continued to receive revelations from Gabriel
These revelations were recited orally by Muhammad to his followers and were later compiled into the holy book of Islam, the Quran
The revelations addressed various aspects of faith, moral conduct, , and legal matters, forming the basis of Islamic teachings
Muhammad's initial reaction vs later acceptance
After , Muhammad was deeply shaken and unsure about his experience
He feared he might be possessed by an evil spirit or losing his mind
Seeking comfort and reassurance, Muhammad turned to his wife Khadija, who consoled him and expressed her unwavering faith in his character and the divine nature of the revelation
With Khadija's support and his own growing conviction, Muhammad came to accept his prophetic mission and began preaching the message of Islam
Encouragement and support from Khadija
Khadija played a crucial role in supporting and encouraging Muhammad during the early years of his prophethood
As the first person to accept Islam, Khadija provided emotional and material support to Muhammad, enabling him to focus on his mission
She reassured him of the divine nature of the revelations and stood by him in the face of opposition and hardship
Khadija's unwavering faith and dedication made her a key figure in the early history of Islam
Early followers
In the early years of Muhammad's prophethood, he attracted a small but devoted group of followers who accepted his message and supported him in the face of opposition
Khadija as first convert
Muhammad's wife Khadija was the first person to accept Islam and believe in his prophethood
Her immediate and unwavering support provided crucial validation and encouragement for Muhammad in the early stages of his mission
Khadija's conversion set an example for others and helped establish the foundation of the nascent Muslim community
Ali ibn Abi Talib as first male follower
, Muhammad's young cousin and ward, was the first male to accept Islam
According to tradition, Ali was around 10 years old when he witnessed Muhammad and Khadija praying and decided to join them
Ali's early conversion and close relationship with Muhammad made him a significant figure in Islamic history and a revered leader among Shia Muslims
Abu Bakr's influential conversions
, Muhammad's close friend and confidant, was an early and influential convert to Islam
A respected merchant known for his integrity and wisdom, Abu Bakr's conversion lent credibility to Muhammad's message
Abu Bakr used his influence and wealth to support the early Muslim community and persuade others to accept Islam
He brought several notable figures into the fold, including the future caliphs Umar ibn al-Khattab and Uthman ibn Affan
Secret meetings and teachings
In the early years, Muhammad and his followers met secretly to avoid persecution from the Meccan authorities and the broader Quraysh tribe
These meetings, often held in the house of Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam, provided a safe space for Muhammad to teach his followers and for the community to grow
During this period, Muhammad focused on strengthening the faith and unity of his followers and preparing them for the challenges ahead
Meccan opposition
As Muhammad's message spread and his followers grew, he faced increasing opposition and persecution from the Meccan establishment, particularly the powerful Quraysh tribe
Quraysh hostility toward Muhammad's message
The Quraysh, who controlled Mecca and its lucrative pilgrimage trade, saw Muhammad's monotheistic message as a threat to their religious and economic dominance
They feared that the spread of Islam would undermine the traditional polytheistic beliefs and practices centered around the Kaaba, which was a key source of their power and wealth
The Quraysh also resented Muhammad's criticism of their social inequalities and moral failings, which challenged their established way of life
Physical attacks and persecution
As Muhammad continued to preach and gain followers, the Quraysh escalated their opposition, resorting to physical violence and persecution
Muhammad and his followers were subjected to verbal abuse, beatings, and even torture in an attempt to force them to abandon their faith
Some early Muslims, particularly those from lower social classes or without tribal protection, faced severe maltreatment, such as the slave Bilal ibn Rabah who was tortured by his master for accepting Islam
Social and economic boycott
In an effort to pressure Muhammad and his clan, the Banu Hashim, the Quraysh imposed a social and economic boycott on them
The Quraysh agreed to cut off all trade and social interactions with the Banu Hashim, confining them to a narrow valley on the outskirts of Mecca
This boycott, which lasted for two to three years, caused significant hardship for Muhammad and his followers, who struggled to access food and other necessities
Despite the difficult conditions, the boycott ultimately failed to break the resolve of the early Muslim community and was eventually lifted
Attempts to discredit Muhammad
In addition to physical persecution and economic pressure, the Quraysh also sought to discredit Muhammad and undermine his message
They accused him of being a sorcerer, a madman, or a poet possessed by evil spirits, hoping to turn people away from his teachings
The Quraysh spread rumors and misinformation about Muhammad, mocking his claims of prophethood and challenging the authenticity of his revelations
They also tried to lure Muhammad with offers of wealth, power, and social status in exchange for abandoning his mission, but he remained steadfast in his convictions
Night journey and ascension
The night journey (Isra) and ascension (Miraj) are two parts of a miraculous journey that Muhammad is believed to have undertaken, according to Islamic tradition
Isra - journey from Mecca to Jerusalem
The Isra refers to Muhammad's miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, said to have taken place around 621 CE
According to tradition, Muhammad was awakened by the angel Gabriel and taken on a winged steed, called Buraq, from the Kaaba in Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem
This journey is seen as a symbol of the connection between the three Abrahamic faiths, as Jerusalem is a holy city for Muslims, Jews, and Christians
Miraj - ascension through heavens
The Miraj follows the Isra and describes Muhammad's ascension through the seven levels of heaven
Guided by Gabriel, Muhammad is said to have met various prophets, including Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, at each level of heaven
At the highest level, Muhammad is believed to have had a direct encounter with God and received instructions for the daily prayers that Muslims are required to perform
Meeting with earlier prophets
During his ascension, Muhammad's encounters with earlier prophets are seen as a confirmation of his place in the lineage of Abrahamic prophets
These meetings also serve to emphasize the continuity and unity of the divine message across different times and cultures
Muhammad's interactions with the prophets are often interpreted as a sign of respect and validation for the earlier Abrahamic traditions
Significance in Islamic tradition
The Isra and Miraj hold immense significance in Islamic tradition and are commemorated annually on the 27th night of the Islamic month of Rajab
The journey is seen as a testament to Muhammad's divine mission and a confirmation of his status as the final prophet
The events of the Isra and Miraj also serve to underscore the importance of prayer in Islam, as the daily prayers are believed to have been prescribed during this miraculous journey
The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the endpoint of the Isra, remains one of the holiest sites in Islam and is the third most important mosque after the ones in Mecca and Medina
Migration to Medina
The migration (Hijra) of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE marks a turning point in Islamic history and the beginning of the Islamic calendar
Death of Abu Talib and Khadija
In the year 619 CE, Muhammad suffered two significant personal losses with the deaths of his uncle Abu Talib and his wife Khadija
Abu Talib's death left Muhammad without his most powerful protector in Mecca, making him more vulnerable to persecution from the Quraysh
Khadija's death deprived Muhammad of his closest companion and supporter, who had been instrumental in helping him through the early years of his prophethood
These losses, combined with the increasing hostility in Mecca, prompted Muhammad to seek a new base for his community
Pledges of protection from Medinan tribes
Muhammad's search for a new home led him to the oasis town of Yathrib, later known as Medina, where he had already established contacts and gained some followers
In 621 CE, a group of Medinan converts met with Muhammad in Mecca during the pilgrimage season and pledged their allegiance to him in what is known as the First Pledge of Aqaba
The following year, a larger group of Medinans, including members of the influential Aws and Khazraj tribes, made a similar pledge, known as the Second Pledge of Aqaba, offering Muhammad and his followers protection and support in Medina
Secret planning and escape from Mecca
With the pledges of support from Medina, Muhammad began planning the migration of his followers from Mecca
was carried out in secrecy to avoid interference from the Quraysh, who were determined to prevent Muhammad from leaving Mecca and establishing a new power base
Muhammad's followers left Mecca in small groups to avoid detection, with Muhammad and his close companion Abu Bakr being among the last to depart
According to tradition, Muhammad and Abu Bakr hid in a cave on Mount Thawr for three days to evade Quraysh search parties before making their way to Medina
Arrival and welcome in Medina
Muhammad and Abu Bakr arrived in Medina in September 622 CE, where they were warmly welcomed by the local Muslim community and their Medinan allies
The Medinans, known as the Ansar (helpers), provided shelter and support to the Meccan migrants, known as the Muhajirun (emigrants)
Muhammad's arrival in Medina marked the beginning of a new phase in the development of Islam, as he established the first Islamic state and laid the foundations for the growth and spread of the religion
The Hijra also symbolizes the importance of community, solidarity, and sacrifice in Islam, as the early Muslims left their homes and possessions behind for the sake of their faith and the unity of the (community of believers)