1. Siratun Nabi by Ibn Hisham, Volume 1, Page 182

 2. As per the calculations of Mahmud Pasha, an Egyptian astronomer, the birth date of Muhammad S is Monday, 9 Rabi’ al Awwal in the year of the elephant, corresponding with April 20, 571 AD (Quoted by Shibli Naumani in Siratun Nabi and by Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi in Muhammad Rasullullah)

 3. The year when the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S was born, is also known as the ‘Year of the Elephant’ (‘Amm Fil). That year an elephant was seen for the first time in this part of the world that year. Arabs remembered years by associating it with some important event of that year. This elephant belonged to Abrahah al Ashram, the Governor of Yaman representing the Christian government of King Najjashi (Negus) of Habash (Ethiopia). He noticed, soon after his arrival there, that all the residents of Yaman (Yemen) considered Ka’bah as the most sacred place of worship. Like other Arabs, people from Yaman (Yemen), loved to visit Ka’bah for its pilgrimage. This continuous flow of pilgrims had given a boost to the trading activities of Makkah. People of Makkah organized several major caravans out of Makkah to several places. Makkah had become the trading capital of Arabia.

Abrahah al Ashram decided to bring the pilgrims of Ka’bah to Yaman (Yemen). He constructed a grand church at a place called San’a. That church was called al-Qullays. This church also failed to attract pilgrims, like several other attempts in the past. Peopled still went to Ka’bah for pilgrimage. This made Abrahah al Ashram very angry. He vowed to destroy Ka’bah.

He raided Makkah with a large army to destroy Ka’bah. He was riding an African elephant named Mahmud at the head of the army. His army could not reach Makkah. Allah (God) defended His House and destroyed the entire army of Abrahah al Ashram.

4. Siratun Nabi by Shibli Naumani, Volume 1, Page 110

5. Muhammad Rasulullah by Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi, Page 92

6.  Incidentally Abu Lahab ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib is the only enemy of Islam, named in the Qur-an

7. Siratun Nabi by Ibn Hisham Volume 1, Page 183

8.  A few days after the birth of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S, ten women from a desert tribe of Banu (Family of) Sa’d bin Bakr bin Huwazin arrived in Makkah. – [Kitab al-Tabqat al-Kabir by Ibn Sa’d, Volume 1, Page 121] These women were looking for Quraysh children for breast-feeding. Well to do families of Makkah always sent their newborn with the ladies from Banu (Family of) Sa’d bin Bakr bin Huwazin for nursing. None of those women took Muhammad S because he was an orphan. These wet-nurses usually expected a handsome reward from the fathers. All babies of his age from Makkah were picked up by the women of Banu (Family of) Sa’d bin Bakr bin Hawazin, except the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. None of those women volunteered to take the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S because he was an orphan. Those women felt that the mother of an orphan would not be able to pay them adequately.

9.  One day the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S went out with his foster-brother and sister to graze their flock of sheep. They were out in the open when his foster-brother and sister saw two strangers, dressed in white clothes, approaching the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. They saw that those two strangers put the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S on the ground and opened his chest. They saw that those strangers took some thing out of the chest of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. His foster-brother and foster-sister got scared. They thought that those two were trying to hurt the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. They ran back to their house and told their parents what they had seen. Halimah bint ‘Abd Allah and her husband Harith bin ‘Abdul ‘Uzza rushed to that spot. They found the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S at the same spot that their children had pointed to. They did not see anyone else there. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S looked a little pale. His foster parents hugged him and asked him about the incidence. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S told them that two people, who were dressed in white, opened up his chest. After opening his chest they searched for something in it. [Siratun Nabi by Ibn Hisham Volume 1, Page 185, Kitab al-Tabqat al-Kabir by Ibn Sa’d, Vol. 1, Page 123]

10. On the way to the house of ‘Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S, Halimah bint Abu Dhu'ayb lost him in the crowds in Makkah. Halimah bint  Abu Dhu'ayb searched for the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S but could not find him. She went to ‘Abdul Muttalib, the grandfather of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S, and told him about it.

He went to Ka’bah and prayed for the safe return of his grandson. A couple of people, Warqah bin Nawfal bin Asad and another person, found the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. They brought him back to ‘Abdul Muttalib. He put his grandson on his shoulders. The grandfather of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S made Tawaf (Walk around the) Ka’bah with his grandson on his shoulders. He also prayed to Allah (God) for his safety. [Siratun Nabi by Ibn Hisham, Volume 1, Page 188]

11. Umm Ayman S, a maid servant, brought the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S back to his grandfather 'Abdul Muttalib in Makkah along with the two camels they were riding. At the time of the death of his mother, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S was only six years old.

12. Abu Talib, who had  become the Quraysh chief of Makkah and the caretaker of the Ka’bah, was not a wealthy man, but he lovingly took the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S under his care and looked after him all his life.

13. Arab tribes used to fight over trivial issues, and carry the fights over generations. Harb Fijar was fought between two powerful Arab tribes, the Quraysh tribe – the tribe of Muhammad S and  the Qays tribe. None of the tribes won the war. The Quraysh army was commanded by Harb ibn Umayyah – father of Abu Sufyan.

14. This treaty was proposed by Zubayr ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib, an uncle of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S to stop savagery demonstrated by several clans of the Quraysh of Makkah.  Banu (Family of) Hashim – the clan of the Messenger of Allah S, Banu Taym – the clan of Abu Bakr R, and Banu Zuhrah – the clan of ‘Aminah (Mother of the Messenger of Allah S) pledged to help the needy and the oppressed and to fight the oppressors.

15. The Ka'bah was situated in a low-lying area of the valley of Makkah. Flash floods due to rain often used to flood the Ka'bah and damage its walls. The Ka’bah did not have any roof or door at that time. Its walls were about the height of a man, and it encouraged mischievous people to steal the gifts and treasures of the Ka’bah. The Quraysh, who were the caretakers of the Ka’bah decided to seek a permanent solution for the problem. They decided to rebuild it after tearing down its existing structure. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S helped in the reconstruction of the Ka'bah like every other Quraysh. The construction came to a point when the Hajr Aswad (Black Stone) had to be reinstalled. All the Quraysh clans wanted the honor. They were ready to kill or sacrifice their lives for it. There was no solution in sight, to this dispute. The decision was left to the first person to come to al-Masjid al-Haram (The Sacred Mosque), the next morning. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S was the first person to arrive there the next morning. All the Quraysh families were very glad to see him there. They knew that he would do full justice with them. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S had not become the Rasul (Messenger) of Allah, but he was known as Sadiq (True) and Amin (Honest) in and around Makkah.

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S listened to the issue and offered a unique solution to this great dispute. He asked for a sheet of cloth and placed Hajr Aswad (Black Stone) on it. He then asked the elders of all of the disputing clans to hold the sheet and lift the robe together to the required height. He then took Hajr Aswad (Black Stone) in his hands and installed it in its place in the wall of the Ka'bah. With his wisdom, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S avoided bloodshed among the Quraysh.

16. The first Wahi (Message from Allah) was: Add Arabic Read! In the name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (writing) by the pen. He has taught man what he knew not. Surah (Chapter) al-‘Alaq (The Clot) Qur-an 96:1-5

17. Kitab At Tabqat Al Kabir by Ibn Sa’d

18. Warqah ibn Nawfal was one of the few Quraysh who was a monotheist, and had never shared the religious beliefs of the Quraysh. Khadijah bint Khuwaylid R took the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S to him and described the incident that he had experienced in the cave of Hira.  Warqah ibn Nawfal told his cousin Khadijah bint Khuwaylid R, that the experience of her husband is similar to that of the Musa R (Moses). 

19. Ibn ‘Abbas R narrated: When the verse 26:214 was revealed, Allah’s Messenger S went out, and when he ascended As-Safa mountain, he shouted, “Ya Sabahah! (An Arabic expression used when one appeals for help or draws the attention of others to some danger). The people said, “Who is that?” “Then they gathered around him, whereupon he said, “Do you see? If I inform you that cavalrymen are proceeding up the side of this mountain, will you believe me?” They said, “We have never heard you telling a lie.” Then he said, “I am a plain warner to you of a coming severe punishment.” Abu Lahab said: “May you perish! You gathered us only for this reason?” Then Abu Lahab went away. So Surah Al-Lahab (The Qur-an 111) was revealed.  Bukhari, Volume 6, Hadith No. 495

20. The Quraysh were the custodians of the Ka’bah – the most revered place of worship in the entire Arabian Peninsula. It brought them prosperity because of the large numbers of pilgrims who flocked to Makkah for its pilgrimage. The Quraysh also housed more than 300 idols of gods and goddesses worshipped by various tribes, to please them. Islam was on a direct collision course with their religious beliefs. Threatened by it, the Quraysh unleashed terror against Muslims.

21. Leaders of the Quraysh tribe of Makkah were greatly disturbed to see a vertical divide in their tribe with the advent of Islam. Monotheism of Islam jeopardized and directly threatened their religious leadership of Arabia because of their custodianship of the Ka’bah that housed hundreds of idols of a multitude of gods. The Quraysh of Makkah desperately tried to stop Islam without any success. They began harassing and torturing the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S and his Sahabah (Companions) - the As Sabiqun Al Awwalun (Early Muslims), for leaving their old religion. To save themselves from the abuse, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S along with the As Sabiqun Al Awwalun (Early Muslims), took shelter in the house of Arqam R, one of the early Muslims. Dar (House of) Arqam was located near the hillock of Safa.

Dar (House of) Arqam was the first Islamic university, where the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S taught Islam to his Sahabah (Companions). ‘Umar ibn Khattab R accepted Islam at the same place.

22. The first batch of ten men and four women left Makkah for Habash (Ethiopia). Following Sahabah (Companions of Muhammad S) were the first Muhajirun (Migrants) who undertook the first Hijrah (Migration) in Islam:

Ruqayyah R, the wife of ’Uthman bin ’Affan R and a daughter of the Messenger of Muhammad S

Abu Hudhayfah bin ’Utbah R

Sahlah bint Suhayl bin ’Amr R wife of Abu Hudhayfah bin ’Utbah R (They had a son Muhammad in Habash).

Zubayr bin al-Awwam R

Mus’ab bin ’Umayr R,

’Abdur Rahman bin ’Auf R

Abu Salamah bin ’Abdul Asad R

Umm Salamah bint Abu Umayyah R wife of Abu Salamah bin ’Abdul Asad R

’Uthman bin Mad’un R

’Amir bin Rabi’ah R

Laylah bint Abu Hashmah R wife of ’Amir bin Rabi’ah R

Abu Sabrah bin Abu Rahm R or Abu Hatib bin ’Amr R

Suhayl bin Wahb R

Leader of this batch of Muhajirun (Migrants) was ’Uthman bin Mad’un R.

These migrants walked from Makkah to the coast of Red Sea. On the coast, they found boats, which carried them to Habash (Ethiopia). A total of 83 Muslims migrated to for Habash (Ethiopia) in small batches. Najjashi (Negus), the Christian king of for Habash (Ethiopia) welcomed the Muslims and allowed them to live there as long as they pleases. [Siratun Nabi, by Ibn Hisham, Volume 1, Page 356]

23. Hamzah ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib R, an uncle of the Messenger of Allah S, was known as a great warrior who spent most of his time in hunting. One evening, upon his return from a hunting trip, a maid-servant told him about Abu Jahal’s misbehavior with the Messenger of Allah, that she had witnessed. Hamzah ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib R immediately went to Al-Masjid Al-Haram, where the Quraysh chiefs used to assemble for socializing, and told them that he had accepted Islam – his nephew’s religion. He also warned them that enemies of his nephew are his enemies too.   

24. 'Umar ibn Khattab R was an enemy of Islam before accepting it. He was greatly disturbed and distressed at the situation created by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S by which members of their own Quraysh tribe were accepting the new faith Islam. 'Umar ibn Khattab decided to kill the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S to finish the threat from Islam, once for all.

He took out his sword and rushed towards Dar Arqam (House of Arqam R) where the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S and his Sahabah (Companions) used to stay. On the way to Dar Arqam (House of Arqam R), ‘Umar ibn Khattab met Nu’aym ibn ‘Abdullah. He had never seen ‘Umar ibn Khattab in such anger. ‘Umar ibn Khattab told him that he is going to kill the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S. He told 'Umar ibn Khattab that he should put his own house in order. Nu'aym ibn ‘Abdullah R told 'Umar ibn Khattab that his own sister Fatimah ibnt Khattab R and her husband Sa’id ibn Zayd R had also accepted Islam. 'Umar ibn Khattab was outraged at this news. In a fit of anger, he rushed to the house of Sa’id ibn Zayd R, to take care of his sister and brother in-law first. When ‘Umar ibn Khattab reached there, both Sa’id ibn Zayd R and his wife Fatimah ibnt Khattab R were listening to the recitation of Qur-an. He beat up Sa’id ibn Zayd R badly and also hit his sister when she tried to save her husband. His merciless beatings did not yield any result. Better sense prevailed upon him when he saw his sister and brother-in-law bleeding. His curiosity also took over. He asked them to recite those strange verses back to him, which he had heard while entering their house. They recited those beautiful verses from the Holy Qur-an again. It resulted in a total change of heart of ‘Umar ibn Khattab. He was awed by the truth in the words of Allah (God). He  went straight to Dar and converted to Islam immediately.

25. Most of the members of Banu (Family of) Hashim and their allies Banu Muttalib had not accepted Islam till then. They spent three years in Shi’b Abu Talib under the harsh sun of Arabia to show kinship with the Messenger of Allah S. The notice of Boycott written by Mansur bin ‘Ikramah and signed by all Quraysh leaders and the document was hung at the door of the Ka’bah. The boycott was total and no one talked to or traded with them.

26. Khadijah bint Khuwaylid R was the first person to accept Islam. She bore all children of the Messenger of Allah S except Ibrahim A, who was born to Mariyah Qibtiyyah A. The Messenger of Allah S had not remarried during her life.

27. After continuous disregard of the Message of Allah in Makkah, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S decided to take it to Ta’if, a prosperous locality south of Makkah. Zayd ibn Harithah R accompanied him to Ta’if. There, the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S met

28. On the night of 27 Rajab in the year 2BH (Before Hijrah) (621CE), the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S spent the night with the family of his cousin Hind bint Abu Talib R, who was better known by her nick-name Umm Hani R.

He retired after offering the ‘Isha” Salah (Night Prayers) with her family. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S woke them up for the Fajr Salah (Morning Prayers) and prayed with them. After offering the Salah (Prayers), he told Umm Hani R that after offering the ‘Isha” Salah (Night Prayers) with them, he went to Yarushalam (Jerusalem) and offered Salah (Prayers) at Masjid Aqsa there and now he is back to offer the Fajr Salah (Morning Prayers) with them.

Umm Hani R was taken aback after listening about this ‘impossible’ journey because Yarushalam (Jerusalem) was thousands of miles away from Makkah. She advised the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S not to tell anyone else about it because she was afraid that people would ridule him for it.  But the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S replied that he will definitely tell everyone about it. This event is recorded in the Holy Qur-an (17:1).

When the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S described his miraculous night journey to people, the Quraysh of Makkah did not believe him and made fun of him. He, then stood up in Al-Hijr (The semi-circular space next to the Ka’bah) and prayed to Allah (God).  Allah (God) displayed Yarushalam (Jerusalem) to him. Bukhari, Volume 5, Hadith No. 226

29. Anas bin Malik R narrated that fifty daily Salah (Prayers) were made Fard (Compulsory) during Mi’raj (Ultimate Elevation) on Muhammad S, and were subsequently reduced to five. It was then announced to Muhammad S (by Allah) that He does not go back on his Word. So the Thwab (Reward) for offering five prayers will be equal to that of fifty. - Ahmad, Nisai” and Tirmidhi

30. Six visitors from Yathrib (Madinah) became Muslim. 1. Abu al Hathim bin Taihan R, 2. As'ad (Abu Umamah) bin  Zurarah R, 3. 'Awf bin Harith R, 4. Rafe' bin Malik bin 'Ajlan R, 5. Qitbah bin 'Amir bin Hadidah R and 6. Jabir bin 'Abdullah bin Ri'ab R

31. The news about the preaching of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S spread in Yathrib (Madinah). Twelve pilgrims of Hajj from Yathrib (Madinah) secretly met the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S and accepted Islam at a place called ‘Aqabah. These new Muslims requested the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad S to send a teacher with them to teach them about Islam. He sent a Sahabi (Companion) Mus’ab ibn ‘Umayr R