Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

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According to Muslim belief, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the last prophet of Allah. He spent his whole life spreading the message of Allah. For this purpose, he strived hard and succeeded in spreading the light of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. After his death, his companions and later Muslims spread Islam to far-flung areas of the world. His continuous struggle for a noble cause is a guide for the whole of humanity.

Life Before Prophethood

In 570 AD, Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah. His father (Abdullah) died before his birth, and he lost his mother (Aamna) when he was just six years old. Later, his grandfather (Abdul Muttalib) and uncle (Abu Talib) brought him up.

At a younger age, he started trade as an occupation. At 25 years of age, he married a pious and wealthy woman of Makkah, Khadijah (RA), who was impressed with his honesty in business. 

Life After Prophethood

At age 40, Allah revealed the initial verses of the Holy Qur’an to the prophet while he was praying in a cave. He (PBUH) received instructions to call the ignorant people of Makkah towards the right path (Islam). Initially, he preached Islam to his close relatives. His wife (Khadijah), cousin (Ali), close friend (Abu Bakr), slave (Zayd), and a few other close relatives and friends embraced Islam during the first three years of his private preaching.

After three years, he called upon his tribe (Banu Hashim) towards Islam. He asked them to pray only to Allah and shun polytheism. He also forbade them from their evil deeds of looting, bloodshed, the killing of daughters, gambling, alcohol drinking, immorality, etc. Banu Hashim and Quraysh knew the prophet's truthfulness and his pious life. However, they refused to accept his teachings as they considered them against the way of their forefathers. Muhammad (PBUH) preached for 13 years in Makkah, but the stubbornness of its people failed his every effort for guidance. They harmed him and his followers. 

Establishment of Islamic Society

After 13 years of preaching, the Quraysh remained unmoved towards Islam, and instead, their opposition increased. Then, the prophet (PBUH) decided to migrate towards Medina (then Yathrib), where prominent people of two main tribes (Aws and Khazraj) accepted Islam and invited the Muslims. In 622 AD, Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers migrated toward Medina and established an Islamic Society there. There, Muhammad (PBUH) was accepted as a leader by the Arab tribes and the Jewish tribes living there. Through an agreement, they promised to live in harmony. 

Battles against Quraysh

During the first five years of Hijrah (migration), Muslims fought three battles against Quraysh, including Badr (2 AH), Uhud (3 AH), and Khandaq (5 AH). Quraysh tried to end the mini Islamic State of Medina, but Muslims, under the leadership of Muhammad (PBUH), defended their state. Muhammad (PBUH) proved himself a great military leader during these battles. His military tactics assisted Muslims in winning the Battle of Badr, where the number of Muslims was just 1/3 of the enemy. He remained steadfast during the Battle of Uhud when the Muslim army was on the verge of a decisive defeat, but his bravery saved the day for Muslims. During the Battle of Khandaq (trench), he also worked with other Muslims to dig the trench to motivate them. 

Conquest of Makkah

In 6 AH, Muslims and Quraysh signed a no-war agreement for ten years. Most of the conditions of the agreement, the Treaty of Hudaybiyya, favored Quraysh. However, it later proved to be more beneficial for Muslims, proving the wisdom of Muhammad (PBUH).

In 8 AH, Quraysh ended the treaty of Hudaybiyya by breaking a condition of the agreement to remain peaceful. Now, Muslims were powerful enough to attack Makkah. They did so and captured Makkah without much bloodshed. At that moment, Muhammad (PBUH) showed great mercy and declared a general amnesty for those who tried their best to finish Islam and Muhammad (PBUH). His merciful behavior encouraged the idol-worshipers to accept the teachings of Islam. Most of them, including the chief of the Quraysh tribe (Abu Sufyan), accepted Islam. After that, Muhammad (PBUH) purified Ka’aba from idols. 

Last Sermon

In 10 AH, Muhammad (PBUH) performed his sole Hajj (Pilgrimage), where he delivered his famous Farewell Sermon. He asked Muslims to obey Allah and change their lives according to Islam. He also advised them to show mercy on their wives and slaves. Muhammad (PBUH) died a few months after this pilgrimage in 11 AH (632 AD). 

Last Word

The life of Muhammad (PBUH) is guidance for all of humanity. His role as a political and military leader, preacher, tradesman, father, husband, and master is so wonderful that it should be acted upon by anyone who wants to live peacefully and gain success in this world and hereafter.

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