The Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – Makkah Period
Introduction
The life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the most well-recorded life of any person in history. Muslims study it not only as history, but as a practical example of how to live Islam. Allah says: “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day.” (Quran 33:21)
His life is divided into two periods: Makkah, before the migration, and Madinah, after it. This article looks at the Makkah period — from his birth to the Hijrah — a period of patience and steadfast faith.
Birth and Early Childhood
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant, around 570 CE, on a Monday, the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal according to the well-known view. He belonged to the noble tribe of Quraysh and the family of Banu Hashim. His father, Abdullah, passed away before he was born, so he entered this world as an orphan.
Like many babies of Makkah, he was sent to the desert to be raised by a wet nurse, Halimah al-Sa’diyah. When he was about six years old, he returned to his mother, Aminah. Sadly, she passed away at Abwa while returning from Madinah (then Yathrib). His grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, then took care of him, but he also passed away two years later. After that, his uncle Abu Talib raised him with great love and protection for more than forty years.
Youth and Character
A Young Man Known for Honesty
As a young man, Muhammad (peace be upon him) worked as a shepherd and later as a trader. The people of Makkah gave him a special title: Al-Amin, “the Trustworthy.” They trusted him with their money and goods, and came to him to settle disputes, because everyone knew he never lied and never cheated.
Once, when the Quraysh rebuilt the Kaaba and argued over who would place the Black Stone, they accepted the decision of the next man who entered. It was Muhammad (peace be upon him). He placed the stone on a cloth, asked every tribe’s leaders to lift it together, then placed it himself — saving Makkah from conflict.
Marriage to Khadijah (RA)
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her), a respected businesswoman of Makkah, hired him to trade on her behalf to Syria. She was deeply impressed by his honesty and character, and she proposed marriage. He was 25 years old. Their marriage was blessed and loving, lasting about 25 years until her death. She became his strongest supporter through the hardest years of his mission.
The First Revelation
Muhammad (peace be upon him) disliked the idol worship and injustice around him. He would go alone to Cave Hira on Mount Nur near Makkah to think and worship Allah in the way of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
When he was 40 years old, during Ramadan, the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) came to him with the first revelation. The angel embraced him and commanded: “Read!” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied that he could not read. After this happened three times, the first verses of the Quran were revealed:
“Read, in the name of your Lord who created — created man from a clinging clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous — who taught by the pen — taught man that which he knew not.” (Quran 96:1-5)
Shaking and frightened, he returned home to Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), who comforted him: “Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, you speak the truth, you help the poor and the destitute…” (Sahih Bukhari) She took him to her cousin Waraqah ibn Nawfal, a learned man, who confirmed that the one who came to him was the same angel who came to Prophet Musa (Moses, peace be upon him).
The Call to Islam in Makkah
The Secret and Open Call
For about the first three years, the Prophet (peace be upon him) invited people to Islam quietly. The earliest believers included Khadijah (RA), Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (RA), Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), and Zayd ibn Harithah (RA). Then Allah commanded him to preach openly: “Then declare what you are commanded and turn away from the polytheists.” (Quran 15:94)
His message was simple and powerful: worship Allah alone without partners, believe in the Last Day, and give up idols and immorality. Many poor and weak people accepted, but the leaders of Quraysh became his enemies. They feared losing their power, their traditions, and the income pilgrims brought to their idols.
Persecution of the Early Muslims
The Quraysh used mockery, insults, boycotts, and physical torture against the small Muslim community. Bilal ibn Rabah (RA) was tortured on the hot sand of Makkah for saying “Ahad, Ahad” — “One God, One.” Sumayyah (RA) became the first martyr in Islam.
Some Muslims migrated to Abyssinia, where a just king, al-Najashi, gave them protection — the first Hijrah in Islam. Later, the Quraysh boycotted Banu Hashim for three years, but the Muslims remained patient.
The Year of Sorrow and Taif
In one painful year, known as the Year of Sorrow, both Abu Talib and Khadijah (RA) passed away. The Prophet (peace be upon him) lost his protector and his beloved wife. He travelled to Taif to invite its people to Islam, but they rejected him harshly and sent children to stone him until he bled. Even then, he made dua for their guidance instead of cursing them — a shining example of his mercy.
In this period, Allah honoured him with Al-Isra wal-Mi’raj: the night journey to Jerusalem and the ascension to the heavens, during which the five daily prayers were made obligatory. (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
The Road to Hijrah
Allah opened a new door from Yathrib (Madinah). Groups from its tribes met the Prophet (peace be upon him) during Hajj season, accepted Islam, and pledged at Aqabah to believe in him and protect him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) sent Mus’ab ibn Umair (RA) there as a teacher, and Islam spread in Madinah.
Finally, Allah gave the Muslims permission to migrate. When the Quraysh plotted to kill the Prophet (peace be upon him), he left Makkah secretly at night with Abu Bakr (RA), stayed three nights in Cave Thawr, and then travelled to Madinah. His arrival in 622 CE marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar and the end of the Makkah period.
Conclusion
The Makkah period teaches us patience in hardship, courage in speaking the truth, and complete trust in Allah. For thirteen years of preaching in Makkah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) faced rejection, loss, and persecution, yet he never gave up and never answered cruelty with cruelty.
If we face difficulty for our faith, we remember our Prophet (peace be upon him) faced far more — and Allah granted him victory. In Madinah, he would build the first Muslim community. May Allah bless Prophet Muhammad, his family, and companions. Ameen.
