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22 April 2026 · 06:20
102 key events
حياة النبي ﷺ
The Prophet's ﷺ father is born. He would die before the Prophet's birth, during a trade journey to Madinah.
Abraha al-Ashram marches from Yemen with an army and elephants to destroy the Ka'bah. Allah destroys them with flocks of birds carrying stones of baked clay (Surah Al-Fil).
Born on Monday in the clan of Banu Hashim of Quraysh in Makkah. His father Abdullah had already passed away months earlier during a trade journey.
His grandfather Abd al-Muttalib names him Muhammad ('the praised one') — a name virtually unknown among the Arabs. His aqiqah (birth sacrifice) is performed.
The infant Muhammad ﷺ is given to Halimah bint Abi Dhu'ayb of Banu Sa'd for nursing in the desert, as was Arab custom for strengthening children.
Two angels open the young Muhammad's ﷺ chest, remove the portion of Shaytan, wash his heart with Zamzam water, and return it. Halimah returns him to his mother in alarm.
Aminah bint Wahb dies at Abwa' during the return journey from visiting relatives in Madinah. The young Muhammad ﷺ is taken in by his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib.
His loving grandfather dies. His uncle Abu Talib, chief of Banu Hashim, takes over guardianship and raises him as his own.
The young Muhammad ﷺ travels with his uncle on a trade caravan to Syria. The Christian monk Bahira in Bosra recognizes signs of prophethood in him and warns Abu Talib to protect him.
A series of battles between Quraysh (allied with Kinanah) and Qays Aylan. The young Muhammad ﷺ is present but reportedly only collects arrows.
Muhammad ﷺ participates in an alliance pledging to protect the oppressed, ensure justice for strangers, and defend the rights of the weak in Makkah. He later praised this pact in Islam.
Muhammad ﷺ works as a shepherd tending flocks around Makkah — a common occupation of prophets. He later manages trade for Khadijah bint Khuwaylid.
Khadijah sends Muhammad ﷺ with her servant Maysarah on a trading expedition to Syria. His honesty and the miraculous blessings of the journey deeply impress her.
Muhammad ﷺ (age 25) marries Khadijah (age 40), a respected and wealthy businesswoman. She bears him 6 children: Qasim, Abdullah, Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum, and Fatimah.
Fatimah, the youngest daughter of the Prophet ﷺ and Khadijah, is born. She becomes the most beloved of his children and the ancestor of his lineage.
After a flood damages the Ka'bah, Quraysh rebuilds it. Muhammad ﷺ resolves the dispute over placing the Black Stone by having each clan hold a corner of the cloth while he places the stone.
In the years before prophethood, Muhammad ﷺ increasingly withdraws to Cave Hira on Jabal al-Nur for contemplation (tahannuth), spending days in solitude away from Makkan idolatry.
Angel Jibreel appears in Cave Hira and commands: 'Read! In the name of your Lord who created.' Muhammad ﷺ returns trembling to Khadijah, who reassures him. She is the first to believe.
Revelation pauses for a period (reported as 6 months to 3 years). The Prophet ﷺ becomes anxious until Surah al-Muddaththir is revealed, commanding him to 'Arise and warn.'
The first to accept Islam: Khadijah (wife), Abu Bakr (friend), Ali ibn Abi Talib (cousin, age ~10), Zayd ibn Harithah (freed servant). Islam spreads secretly.
For ~3 years, the Prophet ﷺ calls to Islam privately. About 40 early Muslims meet secretly at the house of Al-Arqam ibn Abi al-Arqam near Mount Safa to learn the Qur'an.
Allah commands: 'Warn your closest relatives' (26:214). The Prophet ﷺ climbs Mount Safa and calls Quraysh to Islam. Abu Lahab curses him; Surah al-Masad is revealed in response.
Quraysh intensifies opposition. The weak and enslaved are targeted: Bilal is tortured under boulders by Umayyah ibn Khalaf. Sumayyah bint Khayyat is martyred — the first martyr in Islam. Her husband Yasir also dies from torture.
Abu Bakr spends his wealth to free Bilal and several other enslaved Muslims being tortured for their faith.
11 men and 4 women emigrate to the Christian kingdom of Abyssinia under An-Najashi (Negus) to escape persecution. This is the first hijrah in Islam.
A larger group of ~83 men and 18 women emigrate. Quraysh sends Amr ibn al-As and Abdullah ibn Abi Rabi'ah to demand their return, but An-Najashi refuses after hearing Surah Maryam.
Hamzah accepts Islam after Abu Jahl insults the Prophet ﷺ. His conversion gives enormous strength to the Muslim community — he earns the title 'Lion of Allah.'
Umar sets out to kill the Prophet ﷺ but first goes to his sister Fatimah's house, where he hears Surah Ta-Ha. Deeply moved, he goes to the Prophet ﷺ and accepts Islam. The Muslims now pray openly at the Ka'bah.
Quraysh imposes a total social, economic, and marriage boycott on Banu Hashim, confining them to a valley for ~3 years. They eat leaves and leather from hunger. The pact is miraculously eaten by termites.
Khadijah, the Prophet's ﷺ most beloved wife and first believer, dies at age ~65 after 25 years of marriage. He never fully recovered from her loss.
Abu Talib, the Prophet's ﷺ uncle and protector, dies — refusing to accept Islam on his deathbed despite the Prophet's ﷺ desperate plea. This year is called 'Aam al-Huzn' (Year of Sorrow).
After Khadijah's death, the Prophet ﷺ marries Sawdah, a widow who had returned from Abyssinia. She provides companionship and care for his household.
The Prophet ﷺ travels to Ta'if seeking support but is pelted with stones until his sandals fill with blood. He refuses the Angel of the Mountains' offer to crush them between the two mountains.
The Prophet ﷺ is taken from Masjid al-Haram to Masjid al-Aqsa (Isra), then ascends through the seven heavens meeting previous prophets (Mi'raj). The five daily prayers are prescribed, reduced from 50 through Musa's advice.
12 men from Yathrib (Madinah) — 10 from Khazraj, 2 from Aws — pledge allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ. They pledge to worship Allah alone, avoid sin, and not kill their children.
The Prophet ﷺ sends Mus'ab as the first ambassador and teacher of Islam to Madinah. Mus'ab's da'wah is so effective that Islam enters nearly every household.
73 men and 2 women from Yathrib pledge to protect the Prophet ﷺ as they would their own families, and to fight in defense of Islam. They pledge at night in secret from Quraysh.
Muslims begin secretly emigrating to Madinah in small groups. Quraysh tries to prevent them. Only the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr, Ali, and a few others remain in Makkah.
At a meeting in Dar al-Nadwah, Quraysh agrees on Abu Jahl's plan: one man from each clan will strike simultaneously so blame is shared. Jibreel warns the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr leave Makkah at night. Ali sleeps in the Prophet's ﷺ bed as a decoy. They hide in the Cave of Thawr for 3 days while Quraysh searches. A spider spins a web and a dove nests at the entrance.
The Prophet ﷺ arrives at Quba on the outskirts of Madinah after an 8-day journey. He stays for 4 days (or 14 days in some reports) and builds Masjid Quba — the first mosque in Islam.
The Prophet ﷺ enters Madinah to an ecstatic welcome. His she-camel kneels at the land of two orphan boys — the site chosen for Masjid an-Nabawi.
The Prophet's Mosque is built with palm trunks and mud bricks. The Prophet ﷺ carries bricks alongside his Companions. His apartments for his wives are built adjoining the mosque.
Abdullah ibn Zayd and Umar both see the adhan in a dream. The Prophet ﷺ confirms it and appoints Bilal as the first mu'adhin. The Adhan of Madinah has been continuous since.
The Prophet ﷺ pairs each Muhajir (emigrant from Makkah) with an Ansari (helper from Madinah), establishing bonds of social solidarity, inheritance, and mutual support.
The Prophet ﷺ drafts the Sahifah — a document establishing rights and duties for all inhabitants: Muslims, Jews, and other groups. It is one of the earliest constitutional documents in history.
Poor Companions who have no homes live on a raised platform (suffah) in the mosque. Abu Hurayrah is among them. The Prophet ﷺ teaches them and others bring them food.
While leading Dhuhr prayer at Masjid al-Qiblatayn, Allah commands the Muslims to turn from Jerusalem toward the Ka'bah in Makkah (Qur'an 2:144). The mosque is renamed 'Mosque of the Two Qiblahs.'
The verses prescribing fasting during Ramadan are revealed (Qur'an 2:183–185). Zakat (obligatory charity) is also formalized in this period.
The Prophet ﷺ sets out with ~313 Muslims to intercept a Qurayshi trade caravan returning from Syria. Abu Sufyan diverts the caravan, but Quraysh sends an army of ~1,000 anyway.
313 Muslims with 2 horses and 70 camels defeat ~1,000 Qurayshi warriors with divine aid. 70 enemy killed (including Abu Jahl) and 70 captured. 14 Muslims martyred. Allah calls it 'Yawm al-Furqan' (Day of Criterion).
The Jewish tribe of Banu Qaynuqa breaks their treaty by attacking a Muslim woman in the marketplace. After a 15-day siege, they are expelled from Madinah.
Aisha moves to the Prophet's ﷺ household in Madinah. She becomes the most knowledgeable woman in Islam, narrating over 2,200 hadiths.
Hasan, grandson of the Prophet ﷺ through Fatimah and Ali, is born. The Prophet ﷺ performs the aqiqah and gives him the adhan in his ear.
3,000 Quraysh vs 700 Muslims (after 300 hypocrites under Abdullah ibn Ubayy withdraw). Initial victory turns to reversal when 50 archers abandon their posts. 70 Muslims martyred including Hamzah. Mus'ab ibn Umayr also falls.
Hind bint Utbah mutilates Hamzah's body and chews his liver. The Prophet ﷺ is deeply grieved. Verses on patience and prohibition of mutilation are revealed.
70 Companions (qurra' — Quran reciters) are sent as teachers at the request of tribal leaders but are treacherously ambushed and massacred. The Prophet ﷺ makes qunut supplication against the perpetrators for a month.
Six Companions are sent as teachers. They are betrayed and sold to Quraysh. Khubaib ibn Adi is crucified in Makkah after praying 2 rak'ahs — the first to establish this sunnah before execution.
Banu Nadir plots to assassinate the Prophet ﷺ by dropping a boulder on him during a meeting. Jibreel warns him. After a siege, they are expelled, settling in Khaybar.
Husayn, the Prophet's ﷺ second grandson through Fatimah and Ali, is born. The Prophet ﷺ says: 'Husayn is from me and I am from Husayn.'
The Prophet ﷺ defeats Banu Mustaliq. He marries Juwayriyyah bint al-Harith. The Ifk (slander) against Aisha occurs during the return journey; after a month of anguish, Allah reveals her innocence in Surah al-Nur (24:11-20).
The verses of hijab are revealed (Qur'an 33:53, 33:59), establishing the Islamic dress code for Muslim women and etiquettes of interaction.
10,000 confederates (Quraysh + Ghatafan + others) besiege Madinah. Salman al-Farisi suggests the trench. The siege lasts ~27 days. Allah sends a freezing wind and unseen forces that scatter the enemy. No major battle occurs.
After Banu Quraydhah's betrayal during the Trench (breaking their treaty with the Muslims), they are besieged for 25 days. They ask to be judged by Sa'd ibn Mu'adh, who judges them according to the ruling of the Torah.
The chief of Aws and hero of Badr dies from his wound reopening after judging Banu Quraydhah. The Prophet ﷺ says: 'The Throne of the Most Merciful shook at the death of Sa'd.'
The Prophet ﷺ and ~1,400 Companions set out for Umrah in ihram with sacrificial animals, with no intention of war. Quraysh blocks their path at Hudaybiyyah.
When word comes that Uthman (sent as envoy) has been killed, the Companions pledge under an acacia tree to fight to the death. Allah declares: 'Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged to you under the tree' (48:18).
A 10-year truce is signed with terms that seem unfavorable to Muslims. Many Companions are upset, but Allah reveals: 'Indeed, We have given you a clear conquest' (48:1). Islam grows exponentially during the peace.
The Prophet ﷺ sends letters inviting rulers to Islam: Heraclius (Byzantium — who privately acknowledges the truth), Chosroes (Persia — who tears the letter), Muqawqis (Egypt), An-Najashi (Abyssinia), and others.
The fortified Jewish stronghold of Khaybar (7 forts) is conquered over ~20 days. Ali is given the banner after two failed attempts by others. The poisoned sheep incident occurs — Zaynab bint al-Harith serves the Prophet ﷺ poisoned meat.
Ja'far ibn Abi Talib and the remaining Muslims in Abyssinia return after ~15 years of exile. The Prophet ﷺ says: 'I don't know which makes me happier — the conquest of Khaybar or the arrival of Ja'far.'
The Prophet ﷺ marries Umm Habibah bint Abi Sufyan (in Abyssinia, via proxy), Safiyyah bint Huyayy (after Khaybar), and Maymunah bint al-Harith (during Umrat al-Qada). His marriages now total eleven.
The Muslims perform their makeup Umrah as agreed in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, entering Makkah peacefully for 3 days. Quraysh watches from the hilltops.
First Muslim engagement against the Byzantine Empire in modern Jordan. 3,000 Muslims vs ~100,000+ Romans and allied Arabs. Zayd ibn Harithah, Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, and Abdullah ibn Rawahah are martyred in succession. Khalid ibn al-Walid takes command and saves the army.
The legendary military commanders Khalid ibn al-Walid and Amr ibn al-As, along with Uthman ibn Talhah, travel to Madinah and embrace Islam.
Quraysh's allies (Banu Bakr) attack the Prophet's ﷺ allies (Banu Khuza'ah) with Qurayshi help, violating the treaty. Khuza'ah appeals to the Prophet ﷺ for help.
The Prophet ﷺ sets out from Madinah with 10,000 Muslims in the largest Muslim army to date. Abu Sufyan comes out to negotiate and accepts Islam.
The Prophet ﷺ enters Makkah with his head bowed in humility on his she-camel. He enters the Ka'bah and destroys 360 idols, reciting: 'Truth has come and falsehood has perished' (17:81). He grants general amnesty.
Standing at the Ka'bah, the Prophet ﷺ asks Quraysh: 'What do you think I will do with you?' They reply: 'A noble brother, son of a noble brother.' He says: 'Go, for you are free.' Even Hind bint Utbah and Wahshi are forgiven.
12,000 Muslims face the Hawazin and Thaqif confederacy in a valley near Ta'if. An ambush causes initial panic and rout. The Prophet ﷺ stands firm calling: 'I am the Prophet, no lie! I am the son of Abd al-Muttalib!' The Muslims rally and win decisively.
The Prophet ﷺ besieges the fortress city of Ta'if for ~20 days but withdraws without conquering it. He prays for their guidance. The people of Ta'if later accept Islam voluntarily the following year.
The Prophet ﷺ distributes enormous spoils to the newly converted Makkans to win their hearts (mu'allafat al-qulub). The Ansar are initially hurt, but weep with love when the Prophet ﷺ chooses them over all worldly gain.
The Prophet ﷺ performs Umrah from al-Ji'ranah near Makkah before returning to Madinah.
The Prophet ﷺ sends expeditions to destroy the three chief idols of Arabia: Al-Uzza (by Khalid), Suwa' and Manat (by Ali/Sa'd), and later Al-Lat in Ta'if (by al-Mughirah).
The last military campaign led by the Prophet ﷺ. 30,000+ Muslims march ~700 km to the Byzantine border in extreme heat. No battle occurs as the enemy does not engage. The hypocrites and those who stayed behind are exposed (Surah al-Tawbah).
Ka'b ibn Malik, Murarah ibn al-Rabi, and Hilal ibn Umayyah — sincere believers who failed to join Tabuk — are boycotted for 50 days until Allah accepts their repentance (Qur'an 9:118).
The hypocrites build a mosque to rival the Prophet's Mosque and plot against Islam. Allah exposes them (Qur'an 9:107–110) and the Prophet ﷺ orders it demolished.
Delegations from across Arabia — over 60 tribes — come to Madinah to accept Islam. Nearly all of the Arabian Peninsula unites under the banner of Tawheed. Surah al-Nasr references this.
The people of Ta'if, who had once stoned the Prophet ﷺ, send a delegation and accept Islam. They initially request to keep Al-Lat for 3 years, then 1 year, then 1 month — the Prophet ﷺ refuses all compromise on Tawheed.
Abu Bakr leads the first Hajj organized by Muslims. Ali is sent after him to announce that no polytheist may perform Hajj after this year and no one may circumambulate the Ka'bah naked (Surah al-Tawbah 9:1-4).
Ibrahim, the Prophet's ﷺ infant son by Mariyah al-Qibtiyyah, dies at ~18 months. The Prophet ﷺ weeps and says: 'The eyes shed tears, the heart grieves, but we say only what pleases our Lord.' A solar eclipse occurs that day; he forbids attributing it to any person's death.
The Prophet ﷺ leaves Madinah with over 100,000 Companions for what would be his only and final Hajj. He says: 'Learn your rituals from me, for I do not know if I will perform Hajj after this year.'
On the plain of Arafah, the Prophet ﷺ delivers his final sermon to 100,000+ pilgrims: 'All mankind is from Adam and Hawwa. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab... except by taqwa.' He asks: 'Have I conveyed?' They reply: 'Yes!' He says: 'O Allah, bear witness.'
On the Day of Arafah, the final verse completing the Shari'ah is revealed: 'This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.' Umar weeps, understanding it signals the Prophet's ﷺ approaching death.
The Prophet ﷺ performs the stoning at Jamarat al-Aqabah, sacrifices his animals, shaves his head, and performs Tawaf al-Ifadah — teaching every step of Hajj by his example.
The Prophet ﷺ appoints 18-year-old Usama ibn Zayd to lead an army to the Byzantine border (Mu'tah region). Some object to his youth; the Prophet ﷺ defends him as he had defended his father Zayd before him.
The Prophet ﷺ falls ill with severe fever and headache. He visits the graves of Uhud's martyrs and Jannat al-Baqi, saying farewell. He says: 'I have been given the choice between this world and the Hereafter, and I have chosen the Hereafter.'
As illness worsens, the Prophet ﷺ asks to be nursed in Aisha's room. He leads prayers until he is too weak, then appoints Abu Bakr to lead. He warns: 'Do not take graves as places of worship.' He frees all his slaves and gives away his last coins in charity.
The Prophet ﷺ draws aside the curtain of Aisha's apartment during Fajr prayer led by Abu Bakr, and smiles at the sight of the rows of worshippers. The Companions are overjoyed, thinking he has recovered.
In the forenoon (duha), with his head in Aisha's lap, the Prophet ﷺ dips his hand in water, wipes his face, and says: 'O Allah, (I choose) the highest companion (al-Rafiq al-A'la).' His hand drops and his soul departs. He is 63 years old.
Umar, in shock, threatens anyone who says the Prophet ﷺ has died. Abu Bakr enters, kisses the Prophet's ﷺ forehead, then addresses the people: 'Whoever worshipped Muhammad, Muhammad has died. Whoever worshipped Allah, Allah is Ever-Living and does not die' (Qur'an 3:144).
The Prophet ﷺ is washed by Ali, Abbas, and his sons. He is buried in Aisha's apartment — where he died — following the hadith: 'Prophets are buried where they die.' His grave remains in the same spot in Masjid an-Nabawi to this day.
Dive deeper into the life of the Prophet ﷺ, his Companions, and the great scholars who preserved this knowledge.