Key: BH = Before Hijrah; AH = After Hijrah; AN = After Prophethood
Battle Personal Law
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Army of Elephants
Abraha (the viceroy of Yemen) attempted to attack the holy city of Makkah and destroy the Kaba with an army of Elephants. Abdul Muttalib intervenes and beseeches Allah for help. Allah Almighty sends an army of birds and destroys Abraha's force.
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Abdullah b. Abdul Muttalib dies
The Prophet's father, Abdullah b. Abdul Muttalib of House Hashim, dies in Madinah. He leaves behind his wife, an unborn son, a slave girl (Umm Ayman), five camels, an some sheep. He was 18 at the time of his death.
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The Prophet’s birth
The final prophet of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him) is born to Abdullah b. Abdul Muttalib of House Hashim and Aminah bt. Wahb of House Zuhrah. He was born an orphan (Qurʾān 93:6).
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Living with Halimah Sa’diyah
The Prophet is nursed for a few days by his mother and Thuwaybiyyah. Then, he is sent to live with Halimah Sa'diyah of House Sa'd b. Bakr to be nursed as per custom. The stay got extended from 2 years to 4 years as there was a spreading illness in Makkah.
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Aminah bt. Wahb dies
The Prophet's mother, Aminah bt. Wahb, dies in Abwa. The Prophet was 6 years old.
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Abdul Muttalib dies
The Prophet's grandfather and guardian, Abdul Muttalib, the leader of House Hashim, dies. The Prophet was 8 years old at the time. He was left in the custody of his uncle Abu Talib.
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Travel to Syria with Abu Talib
The Prophet travelled to Syria with Abu Talib. En route they met Buhayrah Rahib who recognised the signs within the future Prophet. Fearing for the Prophet's safety he advised Abu Talib to send him back to Makkah.
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The Fijar war
War breaks out between the Major Arab tribes with the Quraysh leading on one side and the Hawazin the other. It raged over 4 years. The Prophet did not fight in the war but may have been present in one of the days alongside Abu Talib.
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Hilf Fudul
The Houses of Hashim, Muttalib, Asad, Zuhrah and Taym formed a pact that oppression will not be tolerated and that the rule of just law will prevail. The Prophet was an active member from its initiation in the house of Abdullah b. Jud'an.
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The Prophet marries Khadijah
The Prophet marries Umm Muminin Khadijah bt. Khuwaylid of House Asad. She was a widow and aged 40 at the time of her marriage.
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Qasim, the Prophet’s son, is born
The Prophet's first child, Qasim, was born to Umm Muminin Khadijah bt. Kuwaylid. He lived only lived for 18 months and died in his infancy.
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Zaynab, the Prophet’s daughter, is born
The Prophet's second child, Zaynab, was born to Umm Muminin Khadijah bt. Kuwaylid. She would go on to marry her mother's sister's son, Abu 'As Laqit b. Rabi' of House Abd Shams (Quraysh).
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Rebuilding the Ka’bah
The Quraysh rebuild the Ka'bah. The Prophet partakes in the rebuild. Disputes arise among the houses of the Quraysh as to who will have the honour of placing the Hajar Aswad (black stone), the last piece, in the building. Tensions rise and civil war looms. They settle on the next man to enter the building will decide. It is the Prophet. He says all will carry and place by holding a part of the cloth. They agree.
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The first revelation
Muhammad (peace be upon him) is appointed the last prophet and receives his first revelation. Quran 96:1-5.
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The Prophet’s household accepts Islam
The immediate household of the Prophet accepts Islam including Khadijah bt. Khuwaylid, Ali b. Abu Talib, Zayd b. Harithah and Umm Ayman accept Islam. Abu Talib rejects but offers sanctuary.
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Abu Bakr accepts Islam
Abu Bakr b. Abu Quhafah (Siddiq) of House Taym accepts Islam. He was a leader of his house and member of the upper echelon with a wide network. He quickly brings many notable people of influence in the fold of Islam such as Usman b. Affan, Zubayr b. Awwam, Abdur Rahman b. Awf, Talhah b. Ubaydullah and Sa'd b. Abi Waqqas.
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Secret society in Dar Arqam
The Prophet makes the house of Arqam as the secret meeting place. The early Muslims (sabiqun) come here to meet the Prophet.
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Public call to Islam
The Prophet climb mount Safa' and publically calls the Quraysh and the masses to Islam.
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The first immigration to Abyssinia
The Prophet permits his companions to immigrate to Abyssinia to avoid persecution. 11 men and 5 women migrated. The Najashi (King of Aksum), gives shelter to the Muslims.
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Abdullah, the Prophet’s son, passes away
The Prophet's second and only surviving son passes away in his infancy - May Allah Almighty have mercy on him. Abu Lahab rejoices. Allah Almighty reveals Surah Kawthar as a solace for the Prophet.
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Hamzah b. Abdul Muttalib accepts Islam
The Prophet's uncle Hamzah accepts Islam. Hamzah is a feared warrior. His acceptance of Islam provides a sense of security and embolden the Muslims.
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Umar b. Khattab accepts Islam
Umar b. Khattab (Faruq) of House Adi accepts Islam a few days after Hamzah. He was a leader of his house and feared by the Quraysh. His Islam marked the end of the secret society and the start of open worship.
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The second immigration to Abyssinia
104 Muslims, 83 men and 18 women, migrate to Abyssinia. The Quraysh send an envoy to have them expelled from that land but the king (Najashi) refuses.
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Persian annex Egypt from the Romans
The Sassanid under Shah Chosroes II defeats the Byzantine (Romans) forces of Heraclius and invades Egypt. The first ayat of Surah Rum foretelling the victory of the Byzantines is revealed. This comes to pass in 6 AH.
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Campaign to discredit
The Quraysh sought the aid of the Yahud in Madinah to discredit the Prophet. They gave them three questions to ask which a Prophet should know. The Prophet answered them all.
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The Battle of Bu’ath
In pre-Islamic Madinah (Yathrib), Aws and Khazraj fight against each other in Bu'ath - an area east of the city. Aws is supported by Banu Qaynuqa. Kazraj is supported by Banu Nazir, Bunu Qurayzah and branches of Banu Ghassan. Bedouins in the regions joining the fray on either side. Aws wins the battle.
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Boycott of Banu Hashim
The Quraysh form a pact to boycott all Muslims and any of the Banu Hashim and their close ally Banu Muttalib who give them protection irrespective. They put this in writing and place it in the Ka'bah. The Muslims and the two houses are exiled to Shayb Abu Talib. The boycott lasts three years.
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Khadijah bt. Khawalid & Abu Talib die
The first Muslim, the wife of the Prophet, the mother of believers, Khadijah bt. Khuwaylid of House Asad passes away. Within a few days, the Prophets' Uncle, Abu Talib dies. A loss of both emotional and political support.
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Isra and Mi’raj
The Prophet travels in one night to Quds and then to the seven skies for an audience with Allah Almighty meeting many elder Prophets and seeing much en-route. Five times prayer is made compulsory and the units of some prayers are increased to four.
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The Prophet marries Sawdah bt. Zam’a
The Prophet marries Umm Mu'minin Sawdah bt. Zam'a (may Allah be pleased with her). She was the widow of the Sahabi Sakran b. Amr and aged 50 when she married the Prophet.
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The Prophet marries Aysha bt. Abu Bakr
The Prophet marries Umm Mu'minin Aysha Siddiqah (may Allah be pleased with her). She was young when she married the Prophet and would move in with him later.
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Azan is initiated
The Prophet consulted the Sahabah about how to formally call people to the five salahs. Suggestions were given but none were accepted. Later Zayd b. Abd Rabbihi saw a dream with the wording of Azan and in the morning told the Prophet. The Prophet instructed Bilal b. Rabah to give the Azan and told Zayd to do the Iqamah.
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Ghazwah Abwa
The Prophet leads 70 men towards to intercept the trade caravan under Abu Jahl. No combat occured. The Prophet formed an alliance with Banu Damrah.
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Ghazwah Buwat
The Prophet leads a 200 men raiding party towards Buwat to intercept the Quraysh trade caravan under Umayyah b. Khalf.
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Ghazwah Ushayrah
The Prophet led around 200 men to Zul Ushayrah to ambush the caravan of the Quraysh under Abu Sufyan which was heading towards Syria.
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Ghazwah Badr
The first pitched battle in Islam. Around 300 plus Muslims led by the Prophets stand against 1000 well-armed men of the Quraysh led by Abu Jahl. The Muslims win and many of the enemy leaders of the Quraysh die. Quran 2:123-26.
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Abu Lahab dies
Abu Lahab b. Abdul Muttalib, the wretched uncle and enemy of Islam, dies a horrible death. He did not go to Badr but paid someone to fight on his behalf. Abu Rafi (a believer but a slave of Abbas) in Makkah could not contain his joy at the news of the Muslim victory. Abu Lahab was vexed and attacked Abu Rafi. Lubaba, the wife of Abbas, knocked Abu Lahab in the head. The wound became septic and he died within a few days. His body decayed and he was buried out of sight.
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Ruqayyah, the Prophet’s daughter, passes away
The Prophet's second daughter and wife of Uthman b. Affan passes away, age 21 - May Allah Almighty be pleased with her. At the time of her demise, the Prophet was away in Battle at Badr and left behind Uthman b. Affan to tend to her.
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Ghazwah Banu Gaynuqa
Banu Qaynuqa broke their pact by harassing a woman and killing Muslim man. The Prophet laid siege to their fort for 15 days. A truce was reached and Banu Qaynuqa were expelled. Quran 3:118.
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Ghazwah Sawiq
Also known as Ghazwah Sawiq. A contingent of the Quraysh led by Abu Sufyan raided a field in Urayd nearby Madinah. The Prophet set out to engage them. The Raiders abandoned their spoils which included wheat (saweeq) to allow fast travel and fled.
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Ghazwah Zu Amr
This expedition is also called Ghazwah Ghatafan. Upon hearing that Banu Thalabah and Banu Muharib (both of Ghatfan) are amassing a force to attack Madinah, The Prophet rode to Zu Amr to meet them. When he arrived, the enemy fled to the mountain. The Prophet stayed the month till the end of Safar to enforce his presence in the region.
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Ghazwah Burhan
News reached that Banu Sulaym have amassed a force to launch an attack. The Prophet gathers 300 men to intercept. Banu Sulaym fled when the Prophet reached Burhan.
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Ka’b b. Ashraf is executed
Ka'b b. Ashraf of Banu Nadhir in contravention to the treaty of Madinah spurred others against the Muslims which caused significant harm. Muhammad b. Maslamah went on a solo mission to deal with Ka'ab. Quran 3:186
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Abu Rafi is executed
Abu Rafi Yahudi was a wealthy trader and a vocal enemy of Islam in Khaybar. The Khazraj requested a mission against him. The Prophet dispatched five sahabah from them; Abdullah b. Atik, Mas'ud b. Sinan, Abdullah b. Unays, Abu Qatadah and Khuza'i b. Aswad. He was killed in his fort.
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Ghazwah Uhad
The Quraysh come in force to attack Madinah. The Prophet advances and meets them on the foot of Mt. Uhad. The Muslim initially win but then suffer a defeat. More than 70 Muslims are martyred including the Prophet's beloved uncle, Hamzah b. Abdul Muttalib. Quran 3:152.
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The Prophet marries Hafsah bt. Umar
The Prophet marries Umm Muminin Hafsah bt. Umar b. Khattab of House Adi. She was a widow of Khunays b. Huzafah of House Sahm who died due to injuries sustained in Uhud - he was a sabiqun and fought in Badr. She was 22 at the time of her marriage to the Prophet. She passed away in 45 AH (665 CE) aged 59; she spent 8 years with the Prophet.
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The Prophet marries Zaynab bt. Khuzaymah
The Prophet marries Umm Muminin Zaynab bt. Khuzaymah of House Amir b. Sa'sa' from the Hawazin Tribe. She was the widow of Ubaydah b. Harith of House Muttalib who was martyred in Badr. He was a sabiqun (early Muslim). She had ten children from him. She was 28 at the time of her marriage. She was also known as Umm Masakin (mother of the poor) due to her extra care for them.
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The Prophet marries Umm Salamah
The Prophet marries Umm Mu'minin Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her). She was the widow of the Sahabi and the foster brother of the Prophet, Abu Salamah.
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Ghazwah Banu Mustaliq
The battle is also known as Ghazwah Muraysi'.
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Provision for tayammum made
Some have suggested that tayammum was allowed for the first during the Mustaliq journey when Umm Muminin Aysha lost her necklace. Due to the delay water provision ran low and the verses were revealed. Others have suggested that the necklace incident occurred at a later incident. Allah knows best.
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Qazf law enacted
Qazf is to accuse a chaste married woman of adultery without proof. The punishment for not being able to prove was set to 80 lashes. The context was surrounding the incident of Ifk where the hypocrites started a malicious rumour about Umm Mu'minin Aysha. Allah Almighty absolved her via verses and chastised those who spread the rumour.
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Ghazwah Khandaq
The Quraysh, Hawazin, Ghatfan, Yahud and other hostile tribes unite in a confederation to Attack Madinah. The local Yahud tribes break their pact with the Muslims and aid the enemy. The Prophet has a trench built and defends Madinah. After a month's siege, the enemy disband. Quran 33:9-13.
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Ghazwah Banu Qurayzah
The siege of Banu Qurayzah was the result of them breaking the pact and helping the enemies against the Muslim during the battle of Khandaq. It lasted 25 days. Quran 9:102-4, 33:25-7.
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The Prophet marries Zaynab bt. Jahsh
Quran 33:40 and 33:5.
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Romans defeat the Persians
The Byzantine under Emperor Heraclius defeats the Sassanid Persians in Nineveh. The Shah Chosroes II is killed by his son Kavadh II, the new emperor who sues for peace and agrees to give back all annexed territories. The Romans win the war as foretold in the Quran (Surah Rum) 10 years before.
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Bay’at Ridhwan
News reached that Usman b. Affan, the emissary of the Prophet to the Quraysh, may have been executed. The Prophet stood under a tree and took a pledge and of the people who came with him, that if it true then they would avenge his death. Usman b. Affan was alive but seeing the resolve of the Muslims, the Quraysh opted to pursue a ceasefire with the treaty of Hudaybiyyah. cf. Quran 48: 18-19
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Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
Quran 48:1
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Letters to heads of state
The Prophet sends letters to the kingdoms of Ethiopia, Egypt, Syria, Yamamah and Bahrain and the Persian and Roman empires inviting them to Islam.
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Mariah bt Sham’un joins the Prophet
Muqawqis, the king of Egypt, gifts the Prophet, two slaves; Mariah bt. Sham'un and her sister. The Prophet keeps Umm Muminin Mariah who accepts Islam and opts to stay in servitude.
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Mut’a is prohibited
The practice of temporary marriage (mut'a) which was done by some as a matter of convenience whilst in a long journey is banned.
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Ghazwah Wadi al-Qura
The Prophet laid siege on the Yahud colony in Wadi al-Qura. The siege lasted two days. The Muslims won. This marks the end of the war on Khaybar which started due to the support of the region against the Muslims during the siege of Khandaq (5 AH).
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Umrah Qadha
As per the agreement in the treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Muslims returned unarmed to perform Umrah. Quran 48:27.
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Zaynab, the daughter of the Prophet, passes away
The Prophet's eldest daughter of the Prophet and wife of Abul 'As b. Rabi' passes away, age 30 - May Allah Almighty be pleased with them. She was survived by two children, Ali and Umamah.
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Battle of Muta
The Byzantines killed an emissary of the Prophet so he sent an army of 3000 men to retaliate. The Muslims met the Byzantines in Muta and they were heavily outnumbered. Zayd b. Harithah of House Hashim led the force with Jafar b. Abu Talib of House Hashim as second in command and Abdullah b. Rawahah as third. All three were martyred. Khalid b. Walid of House Makhzum then took command. They fought gallantly but then tactically withdrew having made their point.
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Fath Makkah
The Allies of the Quraysh with the support their support attack those under Muslim protection, thus, breaking the ceasefire. The Prophet marches upon Makkah with a force of 10000. He takeover Makkah with relatively few loss of life. Quran 110:1-3.
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Ghazwah Awtas
This expedition occurred between battle of Hunayn and the siege of Ta'if.
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Hypocrite base (dirar masjid) demolished
The hypocrites with the support of foreign powers build a fake mosque in Quba to create dissent and divide the Muslim community. The Prophet orders its demolition.
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Umm Qulthum, the Prophet’s daughter, passes away
The Prophet's third daughter and wife of Uthman b. Affan passes away, aged 27 - May Allah Almighty be pleased with her. At the time of her demise, the Prophet was away in Battle at Badr and left behind Uthman b. Affan to tend to her.
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Provision for Li’an made
The punishment for accusing a chaste married woman of adultery without proof (Qazf) is 80 lashes. The required proof for the accuser is that they must provide four upright Muslim freemen who directly witnessed the act. Hilal b. Ummayah saw his wife committing adultery. The Prophet asked him for proof as per the law. Hilal considered it against his honour to call others to observe the vile act of his wife. The Prophet understood and the verses were revealed which exempted the husband from Qazf penalty so long as they both followed the process of Li'an.
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Hajj becomes obligatory
Hajj is made compulsory. The Prophet sends Abu Bakr Siddiq to perform Hajj in 9AH and make arrangement for the Prophet's hajj for the following year.
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Ibrahim, the Prophet’s son, passes away
The Prophet's third and only surviving son passes away in his infancy (16-21 months) - May Allah Almighty have mercy on him. The Prophet shed tears but did not complain. There was a solar eclipse that day but the Prophet warned that it is not because of the death of his son.
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Farewell Hajj
The Prophets perform Hajj. Muslims from all over join him. The Prophet bid farewell to the people and gave a parting advice. See https://hajj.uloom.com/