Muhammad ibn Abdullah (l. 570-632 CE) is venerated today as the Prophet of Islam and the “seal of Prophets” by his followers – the Muslims. Muslims believe that Muhammad was the last – hence the “seal” – of many prophets before him in Judaism and Christianity such as Adam, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jesus Christ, and others. He was an ordinary person from Mecca, who (according to Islamic tradition) received a divine revelation from God and began preaching a new faith in Arabia (between 610-632 CE). Ultimately these revelations would be compiled in the form of a book, the Quran, after his death.
More about: Prophet MuhammadDefinition
Timeline
-
570Muhammad is born in Mecca.
-
610Muhammad receives his first revelation on Mount Hira.
-
622Muhammad undertakes the Hegira (Hijra), the migration from Mecca to Medina, establishing the start of the Islamic calendar.
-
624Battle of Badr: Muhammad's forces win, resulting in a turning point for Islam against the ruling Quraysh tribe.
-
13 Mar 624The Battle of Badr is a decisive victory for the Muslims under the Prophet Muhammad over the Arab Quraysh tribes, ensuring the survival of Islam when the victory is attributed to divine intervention and more people side with Muhammad.
-
625Battle of Uhud: Quraysh tribe defeats the Muslims.
-
627Battle of the Trench: Quraysh troops attempt to siege Medina (then called Yathrib), but lose to the Muslim force.
-
627Siege of Bani Qurayzah: Muslims capture the Jewish stronghold.
-
628Treaty of Hudaybiyyah: A peace agreement is signed between Muhammad's Muslims and the people of Mecca.
-
628Conquest of Khaybar oasis: Jews barricade themselves in a fort at Khaybar oasis and are allowed to remain living there if they pay the Muslims one third of their produce.
-
629First Pilgrimage ("lesser" pilgrimage or "umrah") made by Muhammad and his Muslims to Mecca after migrating to Medina.
-
629Battle of Mu'tah: Muslims attempt to capture the village east of the Jordan River from the Byzantine Empire to show their expanding dominance, resulting in a Muslim defeat.
-
630Non-violent conquest of Mecca: The Quraysh realize that the Muslims now greatly outnumber them and allow the Muslims to capture their city, Mecca, and rule it as they please.
-
630Battle of Hunayn: Ending in a decisive victory for the Muslims over the Bedouin tribe of Hawazin.
-
630Attempted Siege of Ta'if: Muhammad's forces are initially unable to siege Ta'if and convert its people to Islam.
-
11 Jan 630The Prophet Muhammad leads his army from Medina to conquer the city of Mecca.
-
632"Farewell Hajj Pilgrimage": This is the only Hajj pilgrimage in which Muhammad participates.
-
632Muhammad dies in Medina, not clearly naming a successor to lead the Muslim people.
