The centerpiece
Timeline of the life of Mohammad
The traditional chart organizes the Prophet's life by his age. The years before his mission (“before prophethood”) cover his birth, childhood, and marriage. From about age 40, the years “after the revelation” cover his preaching in Mecca, the migration to Medina, and the events of his final decade.
Before prophethood (birth to age 38)
| Age | Approx. year | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 570–571 CE | Born in Mecca in the “Year of the Elephant,” when an invading army was turned back from the city. His father, Abdullah, had already died. |
| 2 | Nursed in the desert by a foster-mother, Halima al-Sa'diyya, as was Meccan custom. | |
| 4 | The traditional account of the “splitting of the chest,” after which he was returned to his mother. | |
| 6 | His mother, Amina, dies at al-Abwa' while returning from a visit; he is cared for by his grandfather. | |
| 8 | His grandfather Abd al-Muttalib dies; his uncle Abu Talib becomes his guardian. | |
| 12 | Travels with Abu Talib on a trade caravan to Syria; a monk named Bahira reportedly notices signs of his future role. | |
| 25 | Leads the trade caravan of Khadija, a respected widow and merchant, then marries her. | |
| 35 | Helps the Quraysh peacefully resolve a dispute while rebuilding the Ka'ba, the cube-shaped shrine in Mecca. | |
| 38 | Begins withdrawing to the cave of Hira to reflect and worship in solitude. |
The Meccan years (age 40 to the Hijra)
| Age | Approx. year | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 610 CE | Receives the first revelation in the cave of Hira. His wife Khadija is the first to believe. |
| 41 | Early converts include Abu Bakr, his cousin Ali, and his adopted son Zayd, followed by others. | |
| 43 | Begins preaching publicly in Mecca. | |
| 44 | Facing persecution, some followers migrate to Abyssinia (modern Ethiopia) for safety. | |
| 45 | His uncle Hamza and the future caliph Umar accept Islam, strengthening the small community. | |
| 46–49 | The Quraysh impose a social and economic boycott on his clan; it eventually collapses. | |
| 50 | 619 CE | The “Year of Sorrow”: both Abu Talib and Khadija die. People from the city of Yathrib begin accepting Islam. |
| 51–52 | 621–622 CE | Two pledges at al-Aqaba: people of Yathrib invite him to their city and pledge their loyalty. |
The Medinan years (the Hijra to his death)
| Age | Year | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | 1 AH (622 CE) | Migrates to Yathrib, renamed Medina. Builds the Prophet's Mosque and bonds migrants with local helpers. |
| 54 | 2 AH | The Battle of Badr. Fasting in Ramadan is prescribed; the prayer direction turns toward Mecca. |
| 55 | 3 AH | The Battle of Uhud. Birth of his grandson Hasan. |
| 56 | 4 AH | Conflict with the Banu al-Nadir; the tragedies of al-Raji' and Bi'r Ma'una. |
| 57 | 5 AH | The Battle of the Trench, when Medina is besieged by a coalition. |
| 58 | 6 AH | The Treaty of Hudaybiyya, a truce with Mecca. |
| 59 | 7 AH | The Battle of Khaybar; letters sent to neighboring kings and rulers. |
| 60 | 8 AH | The peaceful conquest of Mecca, followed by the Battle of Hunayn. |
| 61 | 9 AH | The expedition to Tabuk; the “Year of Delegations,” as tribes come to pledge allegiance. |
| 62–63 | 10–11 AH (632 CE) | The Farewell Pilgrimage and final sermon; he dies in Medina. |
Common questions
How is the timeline organized?
The original chart is arranged by the Prophet's age rather than by calendar year. It separates his life into the period before his prophetic mission and the period afterward, beginning around age 40 when, Muslims believe, revelation began.
What was the Hijra and why does it matter?
The Hijra was the migration of Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE to escape persecution. It was a turning point that established the first Muslim community, and the Islamic calendar counts its years from this event.
How long did his prophetic mission last?
About 23 years. Roughly the first 13 years were spent preaching in Mecca, often under hardship. The final 10 years, after the migration to Medina, saw the rapid growth of the community across much of the Arabian Peninsula.