Prophetic timeline

33 chapters of the Seerah

Pre Prophethood

• The Descendants of Ibrahim (AS) — The lineage of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) traces back to Ibrahim (Abraham), the friend of Allah. Through his son Isma'il (Ishmael), the Arabs of the Hijaz emerged. This chapter establishes the noble ancestry of the Quraysh and the sanctity of the Ka'bah, built by Ibrahim and Isma'il as a house of worship for the One God.
• Ascendancy of Quraysh — The Quraysh rose to become the custodians of the Ka'bah and the dominant tribe of Makkah. Their control over trade and pilgrimage brought wealth and influence. Understanding their status helps explain both the honour accorded to the Prophet (peace be upon him) as a member of the Banu Hashim and the fierce opposition he later faced when calling to Tawheed.
• Political & Religious Status of Arabia — Pre-Islamic Arabia was a patchwork of tribes, idol-worship, and tribal honour. There was no central state; justice was often revenge. A few individuals, the Hanifs, rejected idolatry and sought the religion of Ibrahim. This context sets the stage for the revelation that would transform the Arabian Peninsula and the world.
• The Ka'bah is attacked — The expedition of Abrahah, the Abyssinian ruler of Yemen, to destroy the Ka'bah with his army and elephants is recounted in the Quran (Surah Al-Fil). Allah sent birds in flocks that struck the army with stones of baked clay and left them like devoured straw. The year came to be known as the Year of the Elephant.
• The Birth of Muhammad ﷺ — The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in the Year of the Elephant in Makkah, in the clan of Banu Hashim. His father Abdullah had passed away before his birth; his mother was Amina bint Wahb. His birth was a mercy to all creation, and signs were reported by those who witnessed the event.
• Early Childhood of Muhammad ﷺ — According to the custom of the nobility, the infant Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent to the desert to be nursed by Halima al-Sa'diyyah. He grew up in the care of his mother and grandfather Abdul Muttalib. The opening of his chest by the angels and the purification of his heart are among the signs of his chosen status.
• The Death of Abdul Muttalib — Abdul Muttalib, the noble leader of the Quraysh and guardian of the young Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away when the Prophet was eight years old. The boy then came under the care of his paternal uncle Abu Talib, who protected him throughout the years of prophethood in Makkah despite not accepting Islam.
• The League of the Virtuous — As a young man, the Prophet (peace be upon him) participated in the Hilf al-Fudul (League of the Virtuous), a pact to support the oppressed and ensure justice in Makkah. He later said that if invited to such a pact again, he would accept. This reflects his lifelong commitment to justice and standing with the weak.
• Marriage to Khadijah (RA) — Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her) was a wealthy and respected merchant. She employed Muhammad (peace be upon him) for a trade journey; impressed by his honesty and character, she proposed marriage. He married her when he was twenty-five and she forty. She was the first to believe in his prophethood and remained his steadfast companion until her death.

Makkan

• The First Revelations — At the age of forty, while retreating in the cave of Hira for reflection, the Prophet (peace be upon him) received the first revelation through the angel Jibril (Gabriel). The command "Iqra" (Read) marked the beginning of the final revelation to humanity. He returned to Khadijah trembling; she comforted him and affirmed his truthfulness and character.
• Private Propagation — For the first years, the Prophet (peace be upon him) called to Islam in secret. The earliest converts included Khadijah (RA), Ali (RA), Abu Bakr (RA), and others. They prayed in private and grew in faith. This period built the core of the first Muslim community before the call went public.
• Worship One God — The message was clear: worship Allah alone and abandon idolatry. The Quran revealed in Makkah emphasised Tawheed, the Hereafter, and moral conduct. The Prophet (peace be upon him) invited people to leave the worship of stones and ancestors and to submit to the One who created the heavens and the earth.
• The End of Private Propagation — Allah commanded the Prophet (peace be upon him) to proclaim the message openly. He ascended Safa and called the Quraysh to worship Allah alone. From that day, the call became public and opposition intensified. The Quraysh mocked, threatened, and tried to persuade Abu Talib to withdraw his protection.
• The First Migration — When persecution in Makkah became severe, the Prophet (peace be upon him) permitted a group of Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), where the Negus offered protection. The Quraysh pursued them and demanded their return, but the Negus, after hearing the Quran and the story of Islam, refused and granted the Muslims safety.
• Conversion of Hamza & Umar — The conversion of Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib (RA), the Prophet’s uncle and a respected warrior, strengthened the Muslims. Soon after, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) accepted Islam after intending to harm the Prophet and instead being moved by the Quran. Both gave the community courage and visibility in the face of Quraysh.
• Quraysh take Action — The Quraysh escalated their response: they imposed a social and economic boycott on the Banu Hashim and the Muslims, who withdrew to the valley of Abu Talib. For years they endured hardship, cut off from trade and marriage. The boycott was eventually lifted due to the efforts of some fair-minded Quraysh.
• Boycotting the Muslim Community — The document of the boycott was hung inside the Ka'bah. No one was to trade with or marry the Banu Hashim until they gave up the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Muslims and their protectors suffered hunger and isolation but did not compromise their faith. This period tested and purified the believers.
• The Boycott is Revoked — Allah caused the boycott document to be destroyed (e.g. by termites, as reported), and some of the Quraysh moved to annul the pact. The Muslims were finally able to leave the valley and re-enter normal life in Makkah, though persecution did not end entirely.
• The Year of Deep Sorrow — The Prophet (peace be upon him) lost his beloved wife Khadijah (RA) and his uncle and protector Abu Talib in quick succession. He named that year the Year of Sorrow. Despite his grief, he continued to call to Islam. Soon after, he journeyed to Taif to invite its people to Islam and faced rejection and violence.
• Wonderment & Hope — After the trials of Taif, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was comforted by the journey of the Isra and Mi'raj (Night Journey and Ascension), in which he was taken from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque and then through the heavens. He received the obligation of the five daily prayers. This miracle gave him and the believers renewed hope.
• The Night of Ascension — The Mi'raj (Ascension) is the journey through the heavens where the Prophet (peace be upon him) met previous prophets and received the command of the five daily prayers. He led them in prayer and was brought close to Allah. The event is a cornerstone of Islamic belief and a sign of his unique status.
• Help Arrives from Madinah — Delegations from Yathrib (later Madinah) met the Prophet (peace be upon him) at Aqabah. They pledged to support him and to invite their people to Islam. The Pledges of Aqabah established the basis for the Hijrah: the Muslims would have a new home and the Prophet (peace be upon him) would lead a community bound by faith.

Madinan

• Migration to Madinah — The Prophet (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr (RA) left Makkah under divine guidance and reached Madinah (Yathrib) safely. The rest of the Muslims had already migrated or would follow. The Hijrah marks the start of the Islamic calendar and the beginning of the Madinan state built on faith, brotherhood, and the Constitution of Madinah.
• The Battle of Badr — At Badr, in the second year after the Hijrah, a small Muslim force of around 313 faced a much larger Quraysh army. With faith, discipline, and divine support, the Muslims achieved a decisive victory. Key leaders of the Quraysh were killed or captured. Badr became a sign of Allah’s support for the believers.
• The Battle of Uhud — A year after Badr, the Quraysh returned and met the Muslims at Uhud. Initial success turned to setback when archers left their post; the Prophet (peace be upon him) was wounded and Hamza (RA) was martyred. The battle taught lessons in obedience and trust in Allah despite apparent loss.
• Victims of Revenge — After Uhud, the Quraysh and their allies sought to avenge their dead and weaken the Muslims. Incidents of revenge and raids occurred. The Muslims remained vigilant and the Prophet (peace be upon him) continued to guide the community through treaties, expeditions, and consolidation in Madinah.
• The Trench & Siege — In the fifth year after the Hijrah, a large confederacy of Quraysh, Jews, and other tribes besieged Madinah. On the advice, it is said, of Salman al-Farisi (RA), the Muslims dug a trench to protect the vulnerable side. The siege lasted weeks; the confederacy eventually withdrew due to internal discord and harsh conditions.
• A Clear Victory — The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, though seemingly unfavourable at first, proved to be a clear victory. It allowed a period of peace, the spread of Islam, and the eventual opening of Makkah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Muslims performed Umrah the following year. Allah had promised a clear victory and it came.
• The Jews of Khaybar — The fortified settlements of Khaybar had harboured hostility and broken agreements. The Muslims marched to Khaybar and, after a siege and battles, the Jews surrendered. They were allowed to remain and work the land in return for a share of the produce. This established a pattern for dealing with conquered lands and peoples.
• The Conquest of Makkah — When the Quraysh violated the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) marched on Makkah with a large force. The city was taken with minimal bloodshed. He declared a general amnesty: "Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe." The Ka'bah was cleansed of idols and Makkah became the heart of Islam.
• Campaign of Tabuk — The campaign to Tabuk was a demanding expedition in extreme heat against the Byzantine frontier. Many hypocrites stayed behind; the sincere believers gave generously and joined the march. No major battle occurred, but the campaign demonstrated the strength and commitment of the Muslim state and exposed the hypocrites.
• The Farewell Pilgrimage — In the tenth year after the Hijrah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed the Hajj and addressed the masses at Arafat in what is known as the Farewell Sermon. He reiterated the sanctity of life, property, and honour, the rights of women, and the obligation to hold fast to the Quran and his Sunnah. He asked the people to convey his message to those absent.
• The Choice — After completing his mission, the Prophet (peace be upon him) fell ill. He gave the community a choice regarding his successor in leading the prayer and left clear guidance. He passed away in the arms of Aisha (RA) in the eleventh year after the Hijrah. His death was a profound loss, but his message and example remain for all time.

Chronological study of the Prophet’s ﷺ life. Sourced Seerah study, not a fatwa.