The Prophet Muhammad    

Muhammad was born in Mecca in the year 570. His parentage can be traced back to the prophet Ibrahim (sa). His father was Abdullah, who died before Muhammad was born. His mother was Amina, she died when he was only 6. He then went to live with his grandfather Abdul Muttalib. However, when Muhammad was only 8 his beloved grandfather also passed away. After this he was raised by his uncle Abu Talib who loved him dearly. He never learned how to read or write. He grew up in a time of great ignorance and he detested the idolatry of his society.

Muhammad became known to be truthful, honest, trustworthy, generous and sincere. He was so trustworthy that people called him The Trustworthy (Al Amin).

When he was 25 he married Khadijah (ra) whom he was employed by. Khadijah was 15 years his senior. They had two sons (first Al Qaasim and later Abdullah (who was nicknamed Tayyib and Taahir)) who both died as infants, they also had four daughters (Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umme Kulthoom and Fatimah). Muhammad   and Khadijah (ra) were happily married for 25 years when Khadijah (ra) died. After her death Muhammad    had other wives but only one more child (Ibraheem, his mother being Mariah) who also died as an infant.

At the age of forty, Muhammad  received his first revelation from Allah through the Angel Gabriel. This was the beginning of his prophet hood. The revelations continued for twenty-three years, and they are collectively known as the Quran.

As soon as he began to recite the Quran and to preach the truth which Allah had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered persecution from unbelievers.  The persecution grew so fierce that in the year 622 Allah gave them the command to emigrate.  This emigration from Mecca to the city of Medina, some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

After several years, Muhammad  and his followers were able to return to Mecca, where they forgave their enemies. Before Muhammad  died, at the age of sixty-three, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula had become Muslim, and within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China.  Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the truth and clarity of its doctrine.  Islam calls for faith in only one God, Who is the only one worthy of worship.

Muhammad died when he was 63, in the year 633 after a period of illness. As all prophets are buried where they die Muhammad's  grave was dug in the house of his wife Aishah (ra). This place forms a part of the prophet's mosque in Madina.

The Prophet Muhammad  was a perfect example of an honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful, and brave human being.  Though he was a man, he was far removed from all evil characteristics and strove solely for the sake of Allah and His reward in the Hereafter.  Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of Allah .

For more information about any of the prophets   wives please click on their name in the links below. Information from off site anwary-islam web site.

From the same website you can also see more about the prophet's children.

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page updated 02/06/09