Prophet Muhammad Biography and History From Birth To Death

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) stands as the final messenger sent by Allah to guide humanity. His life history, from birth to death, represents the most documented biography of any religious figure in human history. Understanding the prophet Muhammad biography is essential for Muslims and anyone seeking to comprehend Islam’s foundations.

The Prophet ﷺ himself said, as recorded in Sahih Muslim (2278):

‏ أَنَا سَيِّدُ وَلَدِ آدَمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَأَوَّلُ مَنْ يَنْشَقُّ عَنْهُ الْقَبْرُ وَأَوَّلُ شَافِعٍ وَأَوَّلُ مُشَفَّعٍ ‏”‏ ‏.‏“

“I shall be pre-eminent amongst the descendants of Adam on the Day of Resurrection, and I will be the first intercessor and the first whose intercession will be accepted (by Allah).”

This comprehensive guide presents the prophet Muhammad life history and invites readers to discover the remarkable man whose teachings continue to guide over 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide.

The Noble Lineage of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The biography of Prophet Muhammad begins with his distinguished ancestry. He was Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul-Muttalib ibn Hashim, a member of the noble Quraysh tribe of Makkah. His lineage traces back to Prophet Isma’il (Ishmael) and Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon them both.

According to Sahih Muslim (2276), the Prophet ﷺ stated:

“‏إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَى كِنَانَةَ مِنْ وَلَدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ وَاصْطَفَى قُرَيْشًا مِنْ كِنَانَةَ وَاصْطَفَى مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَاصْطَفَانِي مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ‏”‏‏.‏

“Verily Allah granted eminence to Kinana from amongst the descendants of Isma’il, and he granted eminence to the Quraish amongst Kinana, and he granted eminence to Banu Hashim amonsgst the Quraish, and he granted me eminence from the tribe of Banu Hashim.”

This noble lineage fulfilled the prophecies of earlier scriptures, as Jewish and Christian scholars recognized his description in their books.

Birth and Early Childhood Of Prophet Muhammad

The life history of prophet Muhammad from birth to death begins in Makkah in 570 CE, known as the Year of the Elephant (Aam-ul-Feel). Abu Qatada Al-Ansari reported that the Prophet ﷺ said regarding Monday:

‏”‏ذَاكَ يَوْمٌ وُلِدْتُ فِيهِ وَيَوْمٌ بُعِثْتُ أَوْ أُنْزِلَ عَلَىَّ فِيهِ “‏ ‏.‏

“It was the day on which I was born. on which I was commissioned with prophethood or revelation was sent to me.” 

(Sahih Muslim 1162)

Qais bin Makhramah confirmed: 

“وُلِدْتُ أَنَا وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ، صلى الله عليه وسلم عَامَ الْفِيلِ”

“I and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), were born in the Year of the Elephant”

(Jami’ At-Tirmidhi 3619)

His father Abdullah died before his birth, and his mother Aminah passed away when he was six years old. His grandfather Abdul-Muttalib then cared for him, followed by his uncle Abu Talib after Abdul-Muttalib’s death when Muhammad was eight. 

The young Muhammad was nursed by Halimah Sa’diyyah in the desert, where the miraculous opening of his chest occurred. 

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَتَاهُ جِبْرِيلُ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ يَلْعَبُ مَعَ الْغِلْمَانِ فَأَخَذَهُ فَصَرَعَهُ فَشَقَّ عَنْ قَلْبِهِ فَاسْتَخْرَجَ الْقَلْبَ فَاسْتَخْرَجَ مِنْهُ عَلَقَةً فَقَالَ هَذَا حَظُّ الشَّيْطَانِ مِنْكَ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ غَسَلَهُ فِي طَسْتٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ بِمَاءِ زَمْزَمَ ثُمَّ لأَمَهُ ثُمَّ أَعَادَهُ فِي مَكَانِهِ وَجَاءَ الْغِلْمَانُ يَسْعَوْنَ إِلَى أُمِّهِ – يَعْنِي ظِئْرَهُ – فَقَالُوا إِنَّ مُحَمَّدًا قَدْ قُتِلَ ‏.‏ فَاسْتَقْبَلُوهُ وَهُوَ مُنْتَقَعُ اللَّوْنِ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَنَسٌ وَقَدْ كُنْتُ أَرَى أَثَرَ ذَلِكَ الْمِخْيَطِ فِي صَدْرِهِ ‏.‏

Anas b. Malik reported that Gabriel came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) while he was playing with his playmates. He took hold of him and lay him prostrate on the ground and tore open his breast and took out the heart from it and then extracted a blood-clot out of it and said:

That was the part of Satan in thee. And then he washed it with the water of Zamzam in a golden basin and then it was joined together and restored to it place. The boys came running to his mother, i. e. his nurse, and said: Verily Muhammad has been murdered. They all rushed toward him (and found him all right) His color was changed, Anas said. I myself saw the marks of needle on his breast.

(Sahih Muslim 162c)

Youth and Character Of Prophet Muhammad

Prophet Muhammad’s history during his youth distinguished him from his contemporaries. He never participated in idol worship, despite its prevalence in Makkah. Zaid ibn Harithah narrated that even before prophethood, the Prophet ﷺ refused to eat meat slaughtered for idols.

His exceptional character earned him the titles “As-Sadiq” (The Truthful) and “Al-Ameen” (The Trustworthy). When Quraysh rebuilt the Ka’bah and disputed over placing the Black Stone, they chose Muhammad ﷺ as arbitrator, demonstrating the community’s trust in him.

At twenty-five, he married Khadijah bint Khuwailid, a noble widow impressed by his integrity. Their blessed marriage lasted approximately twenty-three years until her death.

The Beginning of Prophethood

At age forty, divine revelation commenced. The Prophet ﷺ had developed a habit of secluding himself in the Cave of Hira for worship and contemplation.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:

“أَوَّلُ مَا بُدِئَ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنَ الْوَحْىِ الرُّؤْيَا الصَّالِحَةُ فِي النَّوْمِ، فَكَانَ لاَ يَرَى رُؤْيَا إِلاَّ جَاءَتْ مِثْلَ فَلَقِ الصُّبْحِ”

“The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright daylight”

(Sahih Al-Bukhari 3)

The Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) appeared, commanding him to “Read!” and revealed the first verses of the Quran (Surah Al-Alaq 96:1-5). The Prophet ﷺ returned home trembling, where Khadijah comforted him, saying: 

”كَلاَّ وَاللَّهِ مَا يُخْزِيكَ اللَّهُ أَبَدًا، إِنَّكَ لَتَصِلُ الرَّحِمَ، وَتَحْمِلُ الْكَلَّ، وَتَكْسِبُ الْمَعْدُومَ، وَتَقْرِي الضَّيْفَ، وَتُعِينُ عَلَى نَوَائِبِ الْحَقِّ‏.”

“Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones.” 

(Sahih Al-Bukhari 3)

Starting the Message of Islam During the Life of Prophet Muhammad

The prophet Muhammad biography centers on his mission to call humanity to pure monotheism (Tawheed). Allah commands in the Quran:

“قُلۡ هُوَ اللّٰهُ اَحَدٌ​ ۚ‏ ﴿1﴾ اَللّٰهُ الصَّمَدُ​ ۚ‏ ﴿2﴾ لَمۡ يَلِدۡ ۙ وَلَمۡ يُوۡلَدۡ ۙ‏ ﴿3﴾ وَلَمۡ يَكُنۡ لَّهٗ كُفُوًا اَحَدٌ‏ ﴿4﴾”

“(1) Say: “He is Allah, the One and Unique; (2) Allah, Who is in need of none and of Whom all are in need; (3) He neither begot any nor was He begotten, (4) and none is comparable to Him.” 

(Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4)

When asked about his mission, the Prophet ﷺ explained: 

“أَرْسَلَنِي بِصِلَةِ الأَرْحَامِ وَكَسْرِ الأَوْثَانِ وَأَنْ يُوَحَّدَ اللَّهُ لاَ يُشْرَكُ بِهِ شَىْءٌ”

“I have been sent to join ties of relationship (with kindness and affection), to break the Idols, and to proclaim the oneness of Allah (in a manner that) nothing is to be associated with Him.” 

(Sahih Muslim 832)

The first Muslims included Khadijah (first woman), Abu Bakr (first free man), Zaid bin Harithah (first freed slave), and Ali bin Abi Talib (first youth). 

Persecution and Migration to Madinah

The Quraysh persecuted the early Muslims severely. Abdullah bin Mas’ud reported: 

“أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَظْهَرَ إِسْلاَمَهُ سَبْعَةٌ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ وَعَمَّارٌ وَأُمُّهُ سُمَيَّةُ وَصُهَيْبٌ وَبِلاَلٌ وَالْمِقْدَادُ فَأَمَّا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَمَنَعَهُ اللَّهُ بِعَمِّهِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ وَأَمَّا أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَمَنَعَهُ اللَّهُ بِقَوْمِهِ وَأَمَّا سَائِرُهُمْ فَأَخَذَهُمُ الْمُشْرِكُونَ وَأَلْبَسُوهُمْ أَدْرَاعَ الْحَدِيدِ وَصَهَرُوهُمْ فِي الشَّمْسِ فَمَا مِنْهُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلاَّ وَقَدْ وَاتَاهُمْ عَلَى مَا أَرَادُوا إِلاَّ بِلاَلاً فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ هَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ نَفْسُهُ فِي اللَّهِ وَهَانَ عَلَى قَوْمِهِ فَأَخَذُوهُ فَأَعْطَوْهُ الْوِلْدَانَ فَجَعَلُوا يَطُوفُونَ بِهِ فِي شِعَابِ مَكَّةَ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ أَحَدٌ أَحَدٌ ‏.‏”

“The first people to declare their Islam publicly were seven: The Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr, ‘Ammar and his mother Sumayyah, Suhaib, Bilal and Miqdad. With regard to the Messenger of Allah, Allah protected him through his paternal uncle Abu Talib. With regard to Abu Bakr, Allah protected him through his people. As for the rest, the idolators seized them and made them wear coats of chain-mail and exposed them to the intense heat of the sun. There was none of them who did not do what they wanted them to do, except for Bilal. He did not care what happened to him for the sake of Allah, and his people did not care what happened to him. Then they gave him to the children who took him around in the streets of Makkah while he was saying, ‘Ahad, Ahad (One, One).”

(Sunan Ibn Majah 150)

In 622 CE, the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Madinah (Hijrah), marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar. There, he established the first Islamic state, built the Prophet’s Mosque, and created brotherhood between the Emigrants (Muhajirun) and Helpers (Ansar).

Ibn Abbas reported: 

“أُنْزِلَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ ابْنُ أَرْبَعِينَ فَأَقَامَ بِمَكَّةَ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ وَبِالْمَدِينَةِ عَشْرًا وَتُوُفِّيَ وَهُوَ ابْنُ ثَلاَثٍ وَسِتِّينَ ‏.‏”

“The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) received Revelation when he was forty years old. So he stayed in Makkah for thirteen years and in Al-Madinah for ten. And he died when he was sixty-three years old.” 

(Jami’ At-Tirmidhi 3621)

Prophet Muhammad’s Exemplary Character

The Quran describes his character:

“وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍۢ”

“And indeed, you are of a great moral character.” 

(Surah Al-Qalam 68:4)

When Aisha was asked about his conduct, she replied: 

“كَانَ خُلُقُهُ الْقُرْآنَ”

“His character was the Qur’an” 

(Book 14, Hadith 308)

His companions described him as neither very tall nor short, with a rosy complexion and slightly curly hair. Narrated Jabir bin Samurah: 

“The seal of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)” – meaning the one which was between his two shoulder blades – “was fleshy and red, resembling the egg of a pigeon.”” 

“كَانَ خَاتَمُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم – يَعْنِي الَّذِي بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ غُدَّةً حَمْرَاءَ مِثْلَ بَيْضَةِ الْحَمَامَةِ”.‏

(At-Tirmidhi 3644)

The Prophet ﷺ said: 

“God has sent me to perfect good qualities of character and to complete good deeds.”

«إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَعَثَنِي لِتَمَامِ مَكَارِمِ الْأَخْلَاقِ وَكَمَالِ محَاسِن الْأَفْعَال»

(Mishkat al-Masabih 5770)

The Final Sermon and Death

In his farewell pilgrimage, the Prophet ﷺ delivered his historic sermon at Arafah, declaring: 

“O people, verily your Lord is one and your father is one. Verily there is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab or of a non-Arab over an Arab, or of a red man over a black man, or of a black man over a red man, except in terms of taqwa (piety). Have I conveyed the message?” They said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has conveyed the message.”  

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَلَا إِنَّ رَبَّكُمْ وَاحِدٌ وَإِنَّ أَبَاكُمْ وَاحِدٌ أَلَا لَا فَضْلَ لِعَرَبِيٍّ عَلَى أَعْجَمِيٍّ وَلَا لِعَجَمِيٍّ عَلَى عَرَبِيٍّ وَلَا لِأَحْمَرَ عَلَى أَسْوَدَ وَلَا أَسْوَدَ عَلَى أَحْمَرَ إِلَّا بِالتَّقْوَى أَبَلَّغْتُ قَالُوا بَلَّغَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ

(Musnad Ahmad 23489)

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ passed away on Monday, 12th Rabi’ al-Awwal, 11 AH (632 CE), at sixty-three years of age. He was buried in Aisha’s chamber, where he died—now part of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

Abu Bakr announced: 

“Whoever amongst you worshipped Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead, but whoever worshipped Allah, Allah is alive and will never die.”

“مَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ يَعْبُدُ مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم فَإِنَّ مُحَمَّدًا صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدْ مَاتَ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ حَىٌّ لاَ يَمُوتُ”

(Sahih al-Bukhari 1241, 1242)

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Conclusion

The prophet Muhammad life history demonstrates a perfect model for humanity. Allah states:

“لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ”

“There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent pattern” 

(Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21)

His teachings continue transforming lives, offering guidance in worship, ethics, family, and society. For those seeking truth, studying the prophet Muhammad biography opens doors to understanding Islam’s timeless message of worshipping the One True God.