Seerah: the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
The seerah is the life story of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: from his birth in Makkah around 570 CE, through the first revelation, the Hijrah to Madinah and the conquest of Makkah, to his death in 632. Here is a clear timeline, his character, and where to read more.
Last updated: 4 October 2026
Timeline of the Prophet’s life
| Year (CE) | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 570 | Born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant, an orphan: his father ‘Abdullah died before his birth. |
| c. 576 | His mother Aminah dies; he is raised by his grandfather ‘Abd al-Muttalib, then his uncle Abu Talib. |
| c. 595 | Marries Khadijah, known in Makkah as al-Amin, the trustworthy. |
| 610 | The first revelation in the Cave of Hira at about forty: “Read in the name of your Lord” (Al-‘Alaq 96:1). |
| c. 613 | Begins calling openly to Islam; the early Muslims face persecution. |
| c. 615 | A group of Muslims migrates to Abyssinia, protected by its Christian king, the Negus. |
| c. 619 | The Year of Sorrow: Khadijah and Abu Talib die. Journey to Ta’if. |
| c. 620 | Al-Isra’ wal-Mi‘raj, the Night Journey and Ascension, when the five daily prayers are made obligatory. |
| 622 | The Hijrah to Madinah, the start of the Islamic calendar. The first mosque, at Quba’, and the Prophet’s Mosque are built. |
| 624 | The Battle of Badr. Fasting in Ramadan is made obligatory (2 AH). |
| 625 | The Battle of Uhud. |
| 627 | The Battle of the Trench (Khandaq). |
| 628 | The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah; letters sent to rulers inviting them to Islam. |
| 630 | The peaceful conquest of Makkah, with a general amnesty; the idols are removed from the Ka‘bah. |
| 632 | The Farewell Hajj and sermon at ‘Arafah. He ﷺ passes away in Madinah aged sixty-three. |
Early dates are approximate; historians differ by a year or two on several of them.
Makkah and Madinah
The seerah divides into two periods. In Makkah (thirteen years) the message focused on belief: the oneness of Allah, the Hereafter and good character, matching the themes of the Makki surahs. In Madinah (ten years) a Muslim community formed, and laws on prayer, fasting, zakat, family and trade were revealed.
His character
Allah says: “And indeed you are of a great moral character” (Al-Qalam 68:4). ‘A’ishah described him: “His character was the Quran” (Sahih Muslim 746). He mended his own clothes, helped at home, was gentle with children and forgave those who had harmed him.
Why study the seerah
The seerah is the context of the Quran: many verses respond to events in it. Knowing it makes tafsir and the sciences of the Quran far easier. For the Night Journey, see Isra and Mi‘raj. For how it began, see the first revelation; for the earlier prophets, prophets in the Quran.
Frequently asked questions
What does seerah mean?
Seerah (sirah) means the biography of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: his life, character, battles and teachings, recorded from the Quran, hadith and early historians such as Ibn Ishaq.
What is the best seerah book in English?
Popular choices are “The Sealed Nectar” (Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtum) by Safiur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, and “Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources” by Martin Lings. For children, illustrated seerah series are widely available in UK Islamic bookshops.
How old was the Prophet when he received revelation?
About forty years old, in the year 610 CE, in the Cave of Hira during Ramadan.
Study the seerah with a teacher
Three free one-to-one Islamic studies lessons in UK time.