7.2 Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) & Seerat-un-Nabi Milestones

Early Life, Prophethood & Pre-Hijrah Period (570 CE – 622 CE)

Exam Focus: Seerat-un-Nabi questions are a vital section of the PAF Airman Islamiat syllabus. Test-takers must memorize key dates in both Gregorian and Hijri/Nabvi calendars, family lineages, early converts, major hardships in Makkah, and prophetic milestones.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah into the noble Quraish tribe (Banu Hashim clan) on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, 570 CE, in the year known as Aam-ul-Feel (Year of the Elephant, when Abraha's army attempted to destroy the Kaaba).

Early Life & Guardianship Timeline

• Father: Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib, who passed away six months before the Prophet's birth.
• Mother: Hazrat Aminah bint Wahb, who passed away at Abwa when the Prophet was 6 years old.
• Foster Mother: Hazrat Halima Sadia (RA) of the Banu Sa'd tribe, who nursed him until age 4.
• Grandfather & Guardian: Hazrat Abdul Muttalib, custodian of the Kaaba, who cared for him until dying when the Prophet was 8 years old.
• Uncle & Guardian: Hazrat Abu Talib, who raised him, taught him trade, and protected him in Makkah until 10 Nabvi.
• Journeys to Syria: First journey with Abu Talib at age 12 (met Christian monk Bahira in Busra); second trade journey at age 25 for Hazrat Khadija (RA) accompanied by her servant Maysarah.
• Titles Earned: Al-Sadiq (The Truthful) and Al-Amin (The Trustworthy).
• Marriage to Khadija (RA): Married Hazrat Khadija (RA) when he was 25 and she was 40. They were married for 25 years until her passing.

Early Chronological Milestones (570 CE – 622 CE)

First Converts to Islam

1. First Female & First Overall Convert: Hazrat Khadija bint Khuwaylid (RA).
2. First Adult Free Man: Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA).
3. First Child / Youth: Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) (age 10).
4. First Freed Slave: Hazrat Zaid bin Harithah (RA).
5. First Slave Convert: Hazrat Bilal ibn Rabah (RA) (later first Mu'azzin of Islam).

Hijrah to Madinah & The Major Ghazwat (Battles of Islam)

The Hijrah in 622 CE transformed Islam from a persecuted community in Makkah into an organized sovereign state in Madinah (Yathrib).

The Journey of Hijrah (622 CE)

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) left Makkah with Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (RA).
• Left Hazrat Ali (RA) sleeping in the Prophet's bed to return held trust items to Makkans.
• Sheltered in Cave Thawr (Ghar-e-Thawr) for 3 nights while Quraish searched Makkah.
• Built the first mosque in Islamic history at Quba (Masjid-e-Quba).
• Arrived in Madinah; established Mawakhāt (brotherhood paired between Makkan Muhajirun and Madinan Ansar).
• Drafted Mithaq-e-Madinah (Charter of Madinah)—the world's first written constitution guaranteeing religious freedom and mutual defense between Muslims and Jewish tribes.

Definitions: Ghazwa vs. Sariyya

• Ghazwa: A military battle or expedition in which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) personally participated and commanded. Total Ghazwat count: 27 (fighting occurred in 9).
• Sariyya: A military expedition dispatched by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) under the command of an appointed Companion (Sahabi). Total Sariyyah count: 56 to 60.

Master Table of Major Ghazwat

Major Treaties, Conquest of Makkah & Farewell Pilgrimage

The final years of Prophethood secured peace across the Arabian Peninsula, culminating in universal human rights declarations and the finality of divine message.

Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH / 628 CE)

In 6 AH, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) set out with 1,400 companions to perform Umrah. Blocked by Quraish at Hudaybiyyah, negotiations ensued:

• Bai'at-e-Ridwan: Pledge taken under an acacia tree by 1,400 Sahaba to avenge rumored death of envoy Hazrat Uthman (RA). Allah expressed pleasure in Surah Al-Fath.
• Treaty Terms: 10-year cessation of war; Muslims return to Madinah without Umrah that year but return for 3 days next year; tribes free to ally with either side.
• Scribe: Written by Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA).
• Significance: Quran declared Hudaybiyyah "Fath-um-Mubeen" (Manifest Victory) in Surah Al-Fath because peace allowed Islam to spread rapidly across Arabia.

Conquest of Makkah (8 AH / 630 CE)

• Cause: Banu Bakr (allied with Quraish) attacked Banu Khuza'ah (allied with Muslims), breaching the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
• Execution: On 20th Ramadan, 8 AH, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) marched on Makkah with 10,000 Muslim soldiers.
• Outcome: Entered Makkah bloodlessly. Prophet (PBUH) announced General Amnesty (La tathriba 'alaykum al-yawm—No blame upon you today).
• Cleansing of Kaaba: 360 idols inside and around the Kaaba were smashed while reciting Verse 17:81: "Truth has come and falsehood has vanished".

Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat-ul-Wida) & Passing (10–11 AH)

Hajjat-ul-Wida (10 AH / 632 CE)

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) performed his only post-Hijrah Hajj accompanied by over 100,000 Sahaba.
• Delivered the historic sermon Khutbah Hajjat-ul-Wida at Mount Arafat (Jabal al-Rahmah) on 9th Dhul Hijjah, 10 AH.
• Key Principles in Farewell Sermon:
  1. Universal equality of all human races (no Arab has superiority over non-Arab, nor white over black except by piety/Taqwa).
  2. Sacredness of human life, property, and honor.
  3. Abolition of blood feuds and interest (Riba).
  4. Protection of women's rights and fair treatment of spouses.
  5. Adherence to two sources: The Quran and Sunnah.
• Final Revelation: Surah Al-Ma'idah, Verse 3 revealed at Arafat: "This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion".

Passing Away (11 AH / 632 CE)

• Passed away on 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, 11 AH (June 8, 632 CE) at age 63.
• Passed away in Madinah in the room of Hazrat Ayesha (RA) and was buried in the exact spot of passing (Rawda-e-Rasool inside Masjid-e-Nabwi).