An article outlining the key events that took place during the life of our beloved Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم]. A Muslim should learn about the life of our Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] and know about the key events that took place. This article summarises his blessed life [صلى الله عليه وسلم] and shows the key events and dates.
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Birth
- Born in the year of the elephant, Monday, corresponding to 12th Rabi al-Awal.
- His father passed away whilst he was only 2 months, some say whilst he was still in the stomach of his mother.
Early Upbringing
- Halima al-Sadiyah nursed him and he stayed by her with the tribe of Bani Sa’d for 4 years. He then returned to his mother [Aminah] when his heart became split.
- He traveled with his mother to Madinah to visit his maternal uncle, whilst returning from the journey [to Makkah] she passed away at a place called Abwa. The Messenger of Allah [صلى الله عليه وسلم] was at that time 6 years old, 3 months and 10 days. Her grave at Abwa is well known and renowned. Thereafter, Umm-Ayman took him [صلى الله عليه وسلم] back to Makkah and this lasted 10 days.
- His Paternal Grandfather Abdul Mutalib passed away whilst The Messenger of Allah [صلى الله عليه وسلم] was 8 years old. He then entrusted him [صلى الله عليه وسلم] to his paternal uncle, Abu Talib.
- He [صلى الله عليه وسلم] witnessed the key event of Harb al-Fijar whilst he was 20 years old, with his uncle. It is also said he was younger than that. He traveled with his Uncle [Abu Talib] to Sham whilst he [صلى الله عليه وسلم] was 12 years old.
Marriage to Khadija [Allah bless her]
- He also traveled to Sham as a business errand for Khadija [Allah be pleased with her], whilst he was 25 years old. He [صلى الله عليه وسلم] married her after that whilst he was 25 years old, 2 months and 1 day.
Rebuilding the Kaaba
- The Kaaba was rebuilt, and the Quraish was happy with his judgment with regards to the placing of the stone. He [صلى الله عليه وسلم] at that time was 35 years old.
Prophethood
- He was then honoured with Prophethood whilst he was 40 years old [صلى الله عليه وسلم].
Year of Grief
- His Uncle Abu Talib passed away whilst he [صلى الله عليه وسلم] was approximately 50 years old.
- His wife, Khadijah [Allah bless her] passed away 3 days after that [صلى الله عليه وسلم].
- The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] called this the year of grief, because his Uncle used to protect him from harm and Khadijah [Allah bless her] used to console him from whatever harm he faced, also confirm his message of Prophethood. She used to say: ‘You are the truthful Messenger of Allah [صلى الله عليه وسلم].’
– He then traveled to Taif after the passing away of Khadijah [Allah bless her] for 3 months. He then returned to Makkah.
The Night Journey and Ascension
- He then was taken during the night to Baitul Maqdis whilst mounting the Buraq. Thereafter he ascended to the heavens with his physical body whilst in a wakeful state [all during the same night]. This took place 1 and a half years after returning to Makkah.
Emigration to Madinah – Hijrah
- He then made Hijra [emigration from Makkah to Madinah] with his close companion – Abu Bakr as-Sideeq [Allah bless him], Aamir Ibn Fuhaira [Allah bless him] and Abdullah Ibn Uraiqat. Ali [Allah bless him] stayed in Makkah on his [صلى الله عليه وسلم] blessed bed, so that he can return the trusts by him and also clear off debts. He [صلى الله عليه وسلم] was 53 years old at the time of Hijra.
- He entered Madinah on Monday corresponding to the 12th of Rabi al-Awal. The Islamic calendar begins from this year [year of Hijra], beginning from the month Muharam.
Passing Away [صلى الله عليه وسلم]
- The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] passed away in Madinah after he stayed in Madinah for 10 years and 2 Months [stayed in Makkah for 13 years as a Prophet]. He [صلى الله عليه وسلم] passed away on Monday towards the beginning of Rabi al-Awal, at the age of 64 years old [from the year of the elephant]. According to the Hijri calendar this corresponds to 11th Hijri and he [صلى الله عليه وسلم] was 63 years old and 3 months.
- He [صلى الله عليه وسلم] was buried in the house of Aaisha [Allah bless her], and was bathed by Ali [Allah bless him], Al-Fadhl Ibn Abbas, who would embrace towards his [صلى الله عليه وسلم] chest, and Abbas would pour water and his garment would not be taken off.
- Jibraeel would offer the prayer upon him with the other Angels of Allah, then his family household, then the people in groups one after the other.
Expeditions and Pilgrimage
- The Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] took part in 19 expeditions , it is also said 26 expeditions. The expeditions in which he personally took part were 9 expeditions.
- He [صلى الله عليه وسلم] offered 1 Hajj from Madinah known as Hajj al-Widah [Farewell Pilgrimage], corresponding to the 10th year of Hijrah.
Burial
- He [صلى الله عليه وسلم] was buried on Thursday, 3 days after he passed away [which was Monday]. Abbas and Ali [Allah be pleased with them] offered prayer upon him amongst Banu Hashim, then the Muhajiroun [residents of Makkah] and Ansar [residents of Madinah], thereafter the people, no one led each other [Everyone prayed individually]. It was an extremely sad day such that it was likened to the day of Judgement, in terms of severity, anxiety and crying.
[صلى الله عليه وسلم]
– Extracted from Al-Shajara Al-Nabawiya fi nasab al-Khair al-Bariyyah
