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Prophet Muhammad biography. How did the religion of Islam appear?

Muhammad is an Arab preacher of monotheism, the founder and central figure of the religion of Islam, the prophet of Muslims. According to Islamic belief, Allah sent down to Muhammad the holy scripture - the Koran.

The Messenger of Allah was born in Mecca on April 22, 571. The arrival of a special child to Muhammad's mother was announced by an angel who came in a dream. The birth of the prophet was accompanied by amazing events. The throne of the Persian king Kisra shook under the ruler as if struck by an earthquake. 14 balconies in the royal hall collapsed. The boy appeared circumcised. Those present at the birth saw that the newborn raised his head and leaned on his hands.

Muhammad belonged to the Quraysh tribe, considered elite by the Arabs. The family of the future preacher of the Koran belonged to the Hashemites, a clan named after the great-grandfather of Muhammad - Hashim, a rich Arab who was honored with feeding pilgrims. The father of the prophet Abdollah is the grandson of the powerful Hashim, but he did not acquire wealth like his grandfather. The small merchant barely earned enough to feed his family. The father did not see his son, who became the greatest prophet; he died before the birth of Muhammad.

At the age of 6, the boy became an orphan - Amina, Muhammad’s mother, died. The woman temporarily gave her son to be raised by the Bedouin Halima, who lived in the desert. The orphaned boy was taken in by his grandfather, but soon Muhammad ended up in his uncle’s house. Abu Talib was a kind but extremely poor man. The nephew had to get to work early and learn to earn a living. For pennies, little Muhammad herded goats and sheep that belonged to wealthy Meccans and picked berries in the desert.

At the age of 12, the teenager first plunged into the atmosphere of spiritual quest: together with his uncle Muhammad, he visited Syria, where he became acquainted with the religious movements of Judaism, Christianity, and other beliefs. He worked as a camel driver, then became a merchant, but questions of faith did not leave the guy. When Muhammad turned 20, he was hired as a clerk in the house of a widowed woman, Khadija. The young man, carrying out the instructions of his mistress, traveled around the country and was interested in the local customs and beliefs of the tribes.

Khadija, being 15 years older than Muhammad, invited the 25-year-old boy to marry her, which the woman’s father did not like, but she persisted. The young clerk got married, the marriage turned out to be happy, he loved and respected Khadija. Marriage brought prosperity to Muhammad. He devoted his free time to the main thing he was drawn to from a young age - spiritual quests. Thus began the biography of the prophet and preacher.

Preaching

The biography of the main Muslim prophet says that Muhammad moved away from the world and vanity, plunging into contemplation and reflection. He loved to retire to desert gorges. In 610, when Muhammad was in a cave on Mount Hira, the Archangel Gabriel (Jibril) appeared to him. He called the young man the messenger of Allah and ordered him to remember the first revelations (verses of the Koran).

History says that the circle of adherents of Muhammad, who preached after meeting with Gabriel, was constantly growing. The preacher called his fellow tribesmen to a righteous life, urged them to observe the commandments of Allah and prepare for the coming divine judgment. Prophet Muhammad said that Almighty God (Allah) created man, and with him everything living and inanimate on earth.

The Messenger of Allah named Musa (Moses), Yusuf (Joseph), Zakaria (Zachariah), Isa () as predecessors. But a special place in Muhammad’s sermons was given to Ibrahim (Abraham). He called him the forefather of Arabs and Jews and the first to preach monotheism. Muhammad saw his mission in restoring the faith of Ibrahim.

The aristocrats of Mecca saw Muhammad's preaching as a threat to power and conspired against him. Companions persuaded the prophet to leave the dangerous region and move to Medina for a while. He did just that. Hundreds of companions followed the preacher to Medina (Yathrib) in 622, forming the first Muslim community.

The community grew stronger and, as punishment to the Meccans for expelling the preacher and his associates, attacked caravans leaving Mecca. Proceeds from the robbery were directed to the needs of the community.

In 630, the previously persecuted prophet Muhammad returned to Mecca, triumphantly entering the holy city 8 years after his exile. Merchant Mecca greeted the prophet with crowds of admirers from all over Arabia. Mohammed's procession through the streets was majestic. The Prophet, dressed in simple clothes and a black turban, sitting on a camel, was accompanied by tens of thousands of pilgrims.

The saint entered Mecca as a pilgrim, not a triumphant. He walked around the holy places, performed rituals and made sacrifices. The Prophet Muhammad traveled around the Kaaba 7 times and touched the sacred Black Stone the same number of times. At the Kaaba, the preacher declared that “there is no God but Allah alone” and ordered the destruction of 360 idols that stood in the temple.

The surrounding tribes did not immediately accept Islam. After bloody wars and thousands of casualties, they recognized the Prophet Muhammad and accepted the Koran. Soon Mohammed became the ruler of Arabia and created a powerful Arab state. When Muhammad's proteges and military leaders appeared in Mecca, he returned to Medina, visiting the grave of Amina's mother. But the prophet’s joy at the triumph of Islam was darkened by the news of the death of his only son Ibrahim, on whom his father had pinned his hopes.

The sudden death of his son undermined the preacher’s health. He, sensing the approach of death, again moved to Mecca to pray for the last time at the Kaaba. Hearing about the prophet's intentions and wanting to pray with him, 10 thousand pilgrims gathered in Mecca. Prophet Muhammad rode around the Kaaba on a camel and sacrificed animals. The pilgrims listened to the words of Muhammad with heavy hearts, realizing that they were listening to him for the last time.

In Islam, for believers, the name has a sacred meaning. Muhammad is translated as “praiseworthy”, “praised”. In the Qur'an, the name of the prophet is repeated four times, in other cases Muhammad is called Nabi ("prophet"), Rasul ("messenger"), Abd ("slave of God"), Shahid ("witness") and several other names. The full name of the Prophet Muhammad is long: it includes the names of all his ancestors in the male line, starting with Adam. Believers call the preacher Abul-Qasim.

The Day of the Prophet Muhammad - Mawlid al-Nabi - is celebrated on the 12th day of the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar Rabi al-Awwal. Muhammad's birthday is the third most revered date for Muslims. The first and second places are occupied by the holidays of Eid al-Adha and Kurban Bayram. During his lifetime, the prophet celebrated only them.

Descendants celebrate the Day of the Prophet Muhammad with prayers, good deeds, and stories about the miracles of the saint. The birthday of the prophet became a holiday 300 years after the advent of Islam. The life story of Muhammad (Mahomet, Magomed, Mohammed) is glorified in the book of the Azerbaijani writer Huseyn Javid. The drama is called "The Prophet".

More than a dozen films have been made about the central figure of Islam. In the mid-1970s, the American-Arab film “The Message (Muhammad is the Messenger of God)” by Mustafa Akkad was released. In 2008, viewers saw the 30-episode series “The Moon of the Hashim Family,” produced by film studios in Jordan, Syria, Sudan and Lebanon. The film “Muhammad - the Messenger of the Almighty” was made about the life and character of the saint, directed by Majid Majidi, which premiered in 2015.

Personal life

Khadija surrounded her young husband with maternal care. Muhammad, freed from troubles and commercial affairs, devoted his time to religion. The union with Khadija turned out to be generous with children, but the sons died. After the death of his beloved wife, Muhammad married several times, but sources name the number of the prophet’s wives differently. Some indicate 15, others indicate 23, of which Muhammad had physical relations with 13.

British Arabist and professor at the University of Edinburgh William Montgomery Watt, in his works on the history of Islam, reveals the reason for the different number of wives of the prophet: tribes, claiming family ties with the saint, ascribed wives of their fellow tribesmen to Muhammad. The Prophet Muhammad entered into marriages before the Koranic prohibition allowing marriage four times.

Researchers agree that the prophet had 13 wives. Topping the list is Khadija bint Khuwaylid, who married Muhammad against her parents' wishes. Historians claim that none of the prophet’s subsequent wives took the place in his heart that went to Khadija.

Of the 12 wives who appeared after the first, Aisha bint Abu Bakr is called the beloved. This is the third wife of the Prophet Muhammad. Aisha is the daughter of the Caliph and is called the greatest of the seven Islamic scholars of her time.

All the children of the prophet, except for the son Ibrahim, were born by Khadija. She gave her husband seven offspring, but the boys died in infancy. Muhammad's daughters lived to see the beginning of their father's prophetic mission, converted to Islam and moved from Mecca to Medina. All except Fatima died before their father. Fatima's daughter died six months after the death of her great father.

Death

The health of the Prophet Muhammad worsened after the farewell hajj to Medina. The Messenger of Allah, having gathered his remaining strength, visited the graves of the martyrs and performed the funeral prayer. Returning to Medina, the prophet retained a clear mind and memory until his last day. He said goodbye to his family and followers, asked for forgiveness, distributed his savings to the poor and freed the slaves. The fever intensified, and on the night of June 8, 632, the Prophet Muhammad died.

The wives were not allowed to wash the body; male relatives washed the deceased. They buried the Messenger of Allah in the clothes in which he died. For three days, believers said goodbye to the Prophet Muhammad. The grave was dug in the place where he died - in the house of his wife Aisha. Later, a mosque was erected over the ashes, which became a shrine of the Muslim world.

A pilgrimage to Medina, where Muhammad is buried, is considered a charitable deed. Believers travel to Medina along with the pilgrimage to Mecca. The mosque in Medina is smaller in size than the mosque in Mecca, but is striking in beauty. It is built of pink granite and decorated with gold, embossing and mosaics. In the center of the mosque there is an adobe hut where the Prophet Muhammad slept and the tomb of the saint.

Quotes

“Leave the doubt that fills you and turn to what does not cause you doubt, because the truth is calm, and a lie is doubt.”
“Let your tongue constantly delight in the remembrance of Allah.”
“The most beloved of good deeds before God is that which is constant, even if it is insignificant.”
"Religion is lightness."
“As you are, such are those who rule over you.”
“Those who show excessive scrupulousness and excessive severity will perish.”
“Woe to you! Stay close to your mother’s feet, Heaven is there!”
"Paradise lies in the shadow of your swords."
“My Allah, I resort to You from useless knowledge...”
"A man with the one he loves."
“A believer will not be stung twice from the same hole.”

The words “If the mountain does not come to Mohammed, then Mohammed goes to the mountain” have no relation to the activities of the Prophet Muhammad. The expression is based on the story of Khoja Nasreddin. The British scientist and philosopher in his book “Moral and Political Essays” replaced Khoja with Muhammad, presenting his own version of the story about Khoja.
The London magazine Time Out called the Prophet Muhammad the first environmentalist.
Kefir grain was previously called "Prophet's Millet". According to legend, under this name, Muhammad conveyed the secret of its cultivation to the inhabitants of the Caucasus.

Muhammad allegedly suffered from epilepsy with convulsive attacks and twilight stupefaction. The Koran reports that the unbelievers called the prophet possessed. But the Koran also says that “Muhammad, by the grace of God, is a prophet and is not possessed.”
The footprint of the Prophet Muhammad, imprinted in stone, is kept in Türbe - a mausoleum in Eyup (Istanbul).

Muslim theologians consider the Koran to be the main miracle of Muhammad. Although the authorship of the Qur'an in non-Muslim sources may be attributed to Muhammad himself, devoted hadiths say that his speech was not similar to the Qur'an.
The outstanding artistic merits of the Koran are recognized by all experts in Arabic literature. According to Bernhard Weiss, humanity throughout its medieval, modern and recent history has not been able to write anything like the Koran.
There is a story about bread in the Qur'an, similar to the story of Jesus feeding five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish.

The founder is the prophet Muhammad. He was born in 570 AD. In Arabic chronology this year is called Year of the Elephant. The year received its name because at that time the ruler of Yemen, Abraha, launched an offensive against Mecca with the goal of capturing it and subordinating all Arab lands to his influence. His army traveled on elephants, which caused horror among local residents, who had not seen these animals until that time. However, halfway to Mecca, Abrakh’s army turned back, and Abrakh himself died on the way home. Researchers believe that this happened due to a plague epidemic that destroyed a significant part of the army.

Muhammad came from an impoverished clan of an influential family kureish. Members of this clan had to monitor the safety of spiritual sanctuaries. Muhammad was orphaned early. His father died before he was born. His mother gave him, according to the custom of that time, to a Bedouin nurse, with whom he grew up until he was five years old. His mother died when he was six years old. Muhammad was first raised by his grandfather Abdalmuttalib, served as a caretaker at the Kaaba temple, then after his death - uncle Abu Talib. Muhammad got involved in work early, tending sheep and participating in equipping trade caravans. When he turned 25, he took a job with Khadija, a rich widow. The work consisted of organizing and escorting trade caravans to Syria. Soon Muhammad and Khadija got married. Khadija was 15 years older than Muhammad. They had six children - two sons and four daughters. The sons died in infancy.

Only the beloved daughter of the prophet Fatima outlived her father and left offspring. Khadija was not only the prophet’s beloved wife, but also a friend; in all the difficult circumstances of his life, she supported him financially and morally. While Khadija was alive, she remained Muhammad's only wife. After his marriage, Muhammad continued to engage in trade, but without great success. The change in the historical situation had an effect.

Muhammad spent a lot of time in prayer and meditation. When Muhammad was meditating in one of the caves in the vicinity of Mecca, he had a vision during which he received the first message from God, transmitted through an archangel Jabrayil(biblical - Gabriel). The first people to believe Muhammad's preaching and accept Islam were his wife Khadija, his nephew Ali, his freedman Zaid and his friend Abu Bakr. At first, the call for a new change was carried out secretly. The beginning of open preaching dates back to 610. The Meccaites greeted it with ridicule. The sermon contained elements of Judaism and Christianity. Muhammad, according to historical information, was illiterate. He took oral stories from the Holy Scriptures from Jews and Christians and adapted them to the Arab national tradition. Biblical stories organically became part of the holy book of the new religion, linking together the stories of many peoples. The popularity of Muhammad's sermons was facilitated by the fact that he read them in recitative, in the form of rhymed prose. Gradually, a group of companions from different strata of Meccan society formed around Muhammad. However, during the entire initial stage of preaching, right up to the resettlement to Medina, Muslims were subjected to persecution and persecution by the Meccan majority. As a result of this oppression, a large group of Muslims emigrated to Ethiopia, where they were received with understanding.

The number of Muhammad's supporters in Mecca was constantly growing, but resistance to the new religion on the part of influential residents of the city was also growing. After the death of Khadija and uncle Abutalib, Muhammad lost his inner support in Mecca and in 622 was forced to leave for his mother’s city Yathrib, which after that became known as Medina - city of the prophet. A large group of Jews lived in Medina, and the people of Medina were more prepared to accept the new religion. Soon after Muhammad's migration, the majority of the population of this city became Muslim. It was a huge success, so the year of migration began to be considered the first year of the Muslim era - Hijras(relocation).

During the Medina period, Muhammad developed and deepened his teaching in the direction of isolation from related religions - and. Soon all of southern and western Arabia submitted to the influence of the Islamic community in Medina, and in 630 Muhammad solemnly entered Mecca. Now the Meccans bowed before him. Mecca was declared the holy capital of Islam. However, Muhammad returned to Medina, from where he made a pilgrimage in 632 (hajj) to Mecca. In the same year he died and was buried in Medina.

Family of the Prophet Muhammad

Khadija bint Khuwaylid
Sauda bint Zama
Aisha bint Abu Bakr
Hafsa bint Umar
Zainab bint Khuzaimah

In fiction

In cinema

"The Message" (film, 1976).

"Umar" (TV series, 2012).

08.06.0632

Prophet Muhammad
Magomed

Arabic Preacher

Founder of Islam

News & Events

09/24/0622 Prophet Muhammad completed the transition to Medina

Arab religious figure. Preacher of monotheism and central figure of Islam.
He is the last prophet and messenger of Allah to whom the holy scripture was revealed: the Koran. Muhammad is the founder and head of the Muslim community, which during his reign formed a strong and fairly large state on the Arabian Peninsula.

Prophet Muhammad was born on April 22, 571 in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The boy belonged to the Quraish tribe, considered elite by the Arabs. The family of the future preacher of the Koran belonged to the Hashemites, a clan named after Muhammad's great-grandfather: Hashim, a wealthy Arab. The father of the prophet Abdollah, the grandson of the powerful Hashim, but did not acquire wealth like his grandfather. The small merchant barely earned enough to feed his family. The father did not see his son, who became the greatest prophet, since he died before the birth of Muhammad. Soon after, my mother and grandfather died. The teenager was raised by his uncle Abu Talib.

At the age of twelve, together with his uncle, he went to Syria on trade business and plunged into the atmosphere of spiritual quest associated with Judaism, Christianity, and other religions. The young man was a camel driver, then a merchant.

When Muhammad turned twenty-one, he received the position of clerk of the rich widow Khadija. While engaged in Khadija's trading affairs, the man visited many places and everywhere showed interest in local customs and beliefs. Then, at twenty-five, he married his mistress. The marriage turned out to be happy. But Muhammad was drawn to spiritual quests, so he often went into desert gorges and plunged alone into deep contemplation.

In 610, in the cave of Mount Hira, the angel Gabriel, sent by Allah, appeared to Muhammad with the first verses of the Koran, who ordered him to remember the text of the revelation and called him “Messenger of Allah.” Having begun to preach among his loved ones, Muhammad gradually expanded his circle of adherents. The Prophet called on his fellow tribesmen to monotheism, to a righteous life, to keeping the commandments in preparation for the coming divine judgment, and spoke about the omnipotence of Allah, who created man and all living and nonliving things on earth.

Muhammad perceived his mission as an order from Allah, and called biblical characters his predecessors: Moses, Joseph, Zechariah, Jesus. A special place in the sermons is given to Abraham, who was recognized as the forefather of Arabs and Jews and the first to preach monotheism. Muhammad stated that his mission was to restore the faith of Abraham.

Soon, the aristocratic circles of Mecca saw in his sermons a threat to their power and organized a conspiracy against Muhammad. Having learned about this, the prophet's companions persuaded him to leave the city and move to the city of Medina in 622. By that time, some of his associates had already settled there. It was in Medina that the first Muslim community was fully formed, strong enough to attack caravans coming from Mecca. These actions were perceived as punishment for the Meccans for the expulsion of Muhammad and his companions, and the funds received went to the needs of the community.

In 630, the previously persecuted prophet Muhammad returned to Mecca, entering the holy city eight years after his exile. Merchant Mecca greeted the prophet with crowds of admirers from all over Arabia. The procession through the streets was majestic. The Prophet, dressed in simple clothes and a black turban, sitting on a camel, was accompanied by tens of thousands of pilgrims.

Muhammad entered Mecca as a pilgrim, not a triumphant. The Prophet walked around the holy places, performed rituals and made sacrifices. He traveled around the ancient pagan sanctuary of the Kaaba seven times and touched the sacred Black Stone the same number of times. At the Kaaba, the preacher declared that “there is no God but Allah alone” and ordered the destruction of 360 idols that stood in the temple.

Subsequently, the Kaaba in Mecca was declared a Muslim shrine, and from that time on, Muslims began to pray, turning their gaze to Mecca. The inhabitants of Mecca itself did not accept the new faith for a long time, but Muhammad managed to convince them that Mecca would retain its status as a major commercial and religious center.

Soon the prophet became the ruler of Arabia and created a powerful Arab state. When Muhammad's proteges and military leaders appeared in Mecca, he returned to Medina, visiting the grave of Amina's mother. But the joy of the triumph of Islam was darkened by the news of the death of the only son Ibrahim, on whom his father had pinned his hopes.

The sudden death of his son undermined the preacher’s health. The man, sensing the approach of death, again moved to Mecca to pray for the last time at the Kaaba. Hearing about the prophet's intentions and wanting to pray with him, ten thousand pilgrims gathered in Mecca. The pilgrims listened to the words of Muhammad, realizing that they were listening to him for the last time.

Prophet Muhammad completed his earthly journey on June 8, 632 and was buried in Medina. The grave was dug in the place where the prophet died: the house of his wife Aisha. Later, a mosque was erected over the ashes, which became a shrine of the Muslim world.

Prophet Muhammad's Day: Mawlid al-Nabi is celebrated on the 12th day of the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Rabi al-Awwal. Muhammad's birthday is the third most revered date for Muslims. The first and second places are occupied by the holidays of Eid al-Adha and Kurban Bayram. During his lifetime, the prophet celebrated only them. Descendants celebrate the Day of the Prophet Muhammad with prayers, good deeds, and stories about the miracles of the saint.

Family of the Prophet Muhammad

Muhammad married everyone before the Koranic ban, which prohibited having more than four wives. Below is a list of the 13 wives of Muhammad:

Khadija bint Khuwaylid
Sauda bint Zama
Aisha bint Abu Bakr
Hafsa bint Umar
Zainab bint Khuzaimah

In fiction

“Prophet” - drama by Azerbaijani poet and playwright Huseyn Javid

In cinema

"The Message" (film, 1976).
"Muhammad: the last prophet" (cartoon, 2002).
“Moon of the Hashim family” (TV series, 2008).
"Umar" (TV series, 2012).
“Muhammad is the Messenger of the Almighty” (film, 2015).

This article presents the biography of the Prophet Muhammad, the most important figure in the Muslim world. It was to him that Allah handed over the Koran - the Holy Scriptures.

The biography of the Prophet Muhammad begins around 570 AD. e., when he was born. This happened in Saudi Arabia (Mecca), in the Quraish tribe (Hashim clan). Abdullah, Muhammad's father, died before he was born. And the mother of the Prophet Muhammad, Amina, passed away when he was only 6 years old. She was the daughter of the leader of the Zurkha clan from the local Quraish tribe. One day, the mother of the Prophet Muhammad decided to go to Medina with her son in order to visit the grave of Abdullah and her relatives. After staying here for about a month, they went back to Mecca. Amina became seriously ill along the way and died in the village of al-Abwa. This happened around 577. Thus, Muhammad remained an orphan.

The childhood of the future prophet

The future prophet was first raised by Abd al-Muttalib, his grandfather, a man of exceptional piety. Then the upbringing was continued by the merchant Abu Talib, Muhammad's uncle. The Arabs at that time were inveterate pagans. However, some adherents of monotheism stood out among them (for example, Abd al-Muttalib). The bulk of the Arabs lived in the territories that originally belonged to them, living a nomadic life. There were few cities. The main ones include Mecca, Taif and Yathrib.

Muhammad becomes famous

From his youth, the Prophet was distinguished by exceptional piety and piety. He, like his grandfather, believed in one God. Muhammad first tended his flocks and then began to take part in the trading affairs of Abu Talib, his uncle. Gradually Muhammad became famous. People loved him and gave him the nickname al-Amin (meaning "trustworthy"). This is what the Prophet Muhammad was called as a sign of respect for his piety, prudence, justice and honesty.

Muhammad's marriage to Khadija, children of the prophet

Later, Muhammad conducted the trading business of a wealthy widow named Khadija. She invited him after some time to marry her. The couple lived a happy life, despite the significant age difference. They had six children. All the children of the Prophet Muhammad were from Khadija, except Ibrahim, who was born after her death. In those days, polygamy was common among the Arabs, but Muhammad remained faithful to his wife. Other wives of the Prophet Muhammad appeared to him only after the death of Khadija. This also says a lot about him as an honest person. The children of the Prophet Muhammad had the following names: his sons - Ibrahim, Abdullah, Kasim; daughters - Ummukulsum, Fatima, Ruqiya, Zainab.

Prayers in the mountains, Gabriel's first revelation

Muhammad, as usual, retired to the mountains surrounding Mecca and retired there for a long time. His seclusion sometimes lasted several days. He especially liked the cave of Mount Hira, towering majestically above Mecca. It was here that the Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation. A photo of the cave is presented below.

On one of his visits, which took place in 610, when Muhammad was about 40 years old, an amazing event happened to him that completely changed his life. In a vision that came suddenly, the angel Gabriel (Jabrail) appeared before him. He pointed to the words that appeared from outside and ordered Muhammad to pronounce them. He objected, saying that he was illiterate, so he could not read them. However, the angel insisted, and suddenly the meaning of the words was revealed to the prophet. The angel ordered him to learn them and pass them on exactly to the rest of the people.

This was the first revelation of the book known today as the Qur'an (from the Arabic word for "reading"). This night, full of events, fell on the 27th of Ramadan and became known as Laylat al-Qadr. It is the most important event for believers, which marks the history of the Prophet Muhammad. From now on, his life no longer belonged to him. She was given over to the care of God, in whose service he spent the rest of his days, proclaiming his messages everywhere.

Further revelations

The Prophet, receiving revelations, did not always see the angel Gabriel, and when this happened, he appeared in different guises. Sometimes Gabriel appeared before the prophet in human form, which darkened the horizon. Sometimes Muhammad could only catch his gaze on him. The Prophet heard at times only a voice speaking to him. Muhammad sometimes received revelations while deep in prayer. However, in other cases, words appeared completely “randomly” when, for example, the prophet was engaged in daily activities, went for a walk, or listened to a meaningful conversation. At first, Muhammad avoided public sermons. He preferred personal conversation with people.

Condemnation of Muhammad by the people

A special way of performing Muslim prayer was revealed to him, and Muhammad immediately began pious exercises. He did them daily. This caused a whole wave of criticism from those who saw it. Muhammad, having received the highest order to carry out a public sermon, was cursed and ridiculed by the people, who mocked his actions and statements. Many Quraysh, meanwhile, became seriously alarmed, realizing that the persistence with which Muhammad asserted faith in one God could undermine the prestige of polytheism, as well as lead to the decline of idolatry when people began to convert to the faith of Muhammad. Some of the prophet's relatives became his main opponents. They ridiculed and humiliated Muhammad, and also committed evil against converts. There are many examples of abuse and mockery of people who have accepted a new faith.

Migration of the first Muslims to Abyssinia

The short biography of the Prophet Muhammad continued with a move to Abyssinia. Two large groups of early Muslims moved here in search of refuge. Here the Christian negus (king), who was very impressed with their way of life and teaching, agreed to patronize them. The Quraish imposed a ban on all personal, military, business, and trade relations with the Hashim clan. It was strictly forbidden for representatives of this clan to appear in Mecca. Very difficult times came; many Muslims were doomed to severe poverty.

Death of Khadija and Abu Talib, new marriage

The biography of the Prophet Muhammad was marked at this time by other sad events. Khadija, his wife, died in 619. She was his most devoted assistant and supporter. Abu Talib, Muhammad's uncle, died that same year. Namely, he protected him from the fierce attacks of his fellow tribesmen. The Prophet, stricken with grief, left Mecca. He decided to go to Taif and find refuge here, but was rejected. Muhammad's friends betrothed the pious widow Sauda as his wife, who turned out to be a worthy woman and, moreover, a Muslim. Aisha, the young daughter of Abu Bakr, his friend, knew and loved the prophet all her life. And although she was still very young for marriage, according to the customs of that time, she nevertheless entered the family of Muhammad.

The essence of Muslim polygamy

The wives of the Prophet Muhammad are a separate topic. Some people are confused by this part of his biography. The misconception that exists among people who do not understand the reasons for polygamy in the Muslim world should be dispelled. At that time, a Muslim who took several women as wives at once did this out of a sense of compassion, providing them with shelter and his protection. Men were also encouraged to help the spouses of their friends killed in battle and to provide them with separate houses. They should have been treated as close relatives (of course, in the case of mutual love, everything could have been different).

Ascension Night

The biography of the Prophet Muhammad was marked by another important event. In 619, the Prophet had to experience the second amazing night of his life. This is Laylat al-Miraj, the Night of Ascension. It is known that Muhammad was awakened and then transported to Jerusalem on a magical animal. On Mount Zion, over the site of an ancient Jewish temple, the heavens opened. Thus the path opened that led to the throne of the Lord. However, neither he nor the angel Gabriel, who accompanied Muhammad, was allowed to enter the beyond. This is how the ascension of the Prophet Muhammad took place. That night, the rules of prayer were revealed to him, which became the focus of faith, as well as the unshakable basis of life of the entire Muslim world. Muhammad also met other prophets, including Moses, Jesus and Abraham. This wonderful event greatly strengthened and consoled him, adding confidence that Allah had not abandoned him and left him alone with his sorrows.

Preparing to move to Yathrib

The fate of Muhammad from now on changed decisively. He was still ridiculed and persecuted in Mecca, but his message had already been heard by many people outside the city. Several elders of Yathrib persuaded the prophet to leave Mecca and move to their city, where he would be received with honor as a judge and leader. Jews and Arabs lived together in Yasrib, constantly at odds with each other. They hoped that Muhammad would bring them peace. The Prophet immediately advised many of his followers to go to this city while he himself remained in Mecca in order not to arouse suspicion. After all, after Abu Talib died, the Quraish could easily attack the prophet, even kill him, and Muhammad understood perfectly well that sooner or later this was bound to happen.

Muhammad arrives in Yathrib

Some dramatic events accompany the biography of the Prophet Muhammad during his departure. Muhammad managed to miraculously avoid captivity only thanks to his excellent knowledge of the local deserts. The Quraysh almost captured it several times, but Muhammad still managed to reach the outskirts of Yathrib. He was eagerly awaited in this city. When Muhammad arrived, people flocked to him with offers to settle with them. The Prophet, embarrassed by such hospitality, gave his camel the right to choose. The camel decided to stop at a place where dates were drying. The Prophet was instantly given this place to build a house. The city received a new name - Madinat an-Nabi (translated as “city of the prophet”). It is known today in short form as Medina.

Muhammad's reign in Yathrib

Muhammad immediately began preparing a decree by which he was proclaimed in this city the supreme head of all clans and tribes that were at war with each other. From now on they had to obey the orders of the prophet. Muhammad established that all citizens were free to practice their religion. They must coexist peacefully without fear of the highest disfavor or persecution. Muhammad asked only for one thing - to unite in order to repel any enemy who dared to attack Medina. The tribal laws of the Jews and Arabs were replaced by the principle of “justice for all,” that is, regardless of religion, skin color and social status.

Life of the Prophet Muhammad in Yathrib

The Prophet, having become the ruler of Medina and having acquired great wealth and influence, never lived like a king. His home consisted of simple clay houses that were built for his wives. The life of the Prophet Muhammad was simple - he never even had his own room. A courtyard with a well was located not far from the houses - a place that has now become a mosque, where devout Muslims gather to this day. Almost the entire life of Muhammad was spent in constant prayer, as well as in the instruction of believers. In addition to the five obligatory prayers performed in the mosque, he devoted a lot of time to solitary prayer, sometimes devoting most of the night to pious reflections. His wives performed night prayer with him, after which they retired to their chambers. And Muhammad continued to pray for many hours, falling asleep briefly towards the end of the night, only to wake up soon for the pre-dawn prayer.

Deciding to return to Mecca

The Prophet, who dreamed of returning to Mecca, decided in March 628 to make his dream come true. He gathered 1,400 of his followers and set off with them, completely unarmed, in robes consisting of only 2 white veils. The followers of the prophet, despite this, were denied entry into the city. Even the fact that Islam was practiced by many citizens of Mecca did not help. The pilgrims, in order to avoid possible clashes, made their sacrifices near Mecca, in an area called Hudaibiya. Muhammad in 629 began plans to conquer Mecca peacefully. The truce concluded at Hudaibiya turned out to be short-lived. The Meccans again attacked a tribe allied with the Muslims in November 629.

Entry of Muhammad into Mecca

At the head of 10 thousand people, the largest army ever to leave Medina, the prophet marched towards Mecca. She settled down near the city, after which Mecca surrendered without a fight. The Prophet Muhammad entered in triumph, went straight to the Kaaba and performed a ritual circuit around it 7 times. After this, the prophet entered the shrine and destroyed all the idols.

Hajat al-Wida, death of Muhammad

Only in 632, in March, the only full-fledged pilgrimage to the Kaaba, known as the Last Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wida), was made by the Prophet Muhammad (a photo of the Kaaba in its current form is presented below).

During this pilgrimage, revelations about the rules of the Hajj were sent to him. To this day all Muslims follow them. When, in order to appear before Allah, the prophet reached Mount Arafat, he proclaimed his last sermon. Muhammad was already seriously ill at that time. To the best of his ability, he continued to lead prayers in the mosque. There was no improvement in the illness, and the prophet finally fell ill. He was 63 years old at the time. This ends the biography of the Prophet Muhammad. His followers could hardly believe that he died as a simple man. The story of the Prophet Muhammad teaches us spirituality, faith, and devotion. Today it interests not only Muslims, but also many representatives of other faiths from different parts of the world.

The founder of the religion of Islam was Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. Muslims deeply revere him, considering him a prophet and messenger of Allah. The first biography of Muhammad was compiled by Ibn Ishaq, who was born half a century after the death of the prophet. It has reached us in fragments and in parts.

Muhammad is a historical figure, he was born in 570 in the city of Mecca. Muhammad's childhood was full of tragic events: Abdullah's father died a few days before the boy was born, his mother died when he was only 6 years old. After the death of his parents, Muhammad was raised by his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib, who was one of the most respectable elders in the Quraish tribe. When his grandfather died, his uncle Abu Talib took care of the boy. The suffering he endured made him sensitive to people and other people's hardships.

At the age of 12, Muhammad made his first journey with his uncle's caravan to Syria. For six months the boy observed the life of the nomadic Arabs. At about 20 years old, Muhammad began to live an independent life. He was a man who knew a lot about trade and knew how to drive caravans. According to Arab historians, Muhammad was distinguished by his excellent character, honesty and conscientiousness, and loyalty to his word. Having become a camel driver, Muhammad visited many countries, saw people of different beliefs, learned and understood a lot. At the age of 25, he married a wealthy Meccan widow, Khadija, and became a wealthy and respected man in Mecca.

In Mecca lived preachers of monotheism - the Hanifs, who worshiped one God and not idols like the rest. That is, the religion that has remained since the time of the prophet Ibrahim (Avrvm). Muhammad became acquainted with the religious traditions of peoples and noted the positive and negative aspects.

Muhammad prayed to Allah at first in complete solitude, spending days and nights in prayer. Muhammad's favorite place of prayer was Mount Hira. According to legend, after three years of tireless prayer, a revelation from Allah came to Muhammad at night. He saw the angel Jibril, who told him the words of Allah, which spoke about the essence of God and his relationship to man. The revelations received on Mount Hira finally convinced Muhammad of the correctness of his religious ideas.

Subsequently, Muhammad began to propagate the religious system sent down to him by God. The closest people - wife, cousin, adopted son - became the first Muslims. The spread of Muhammad's religious teachings was not easy and secret. Together with their friend and fellow believer Abu Bakr, they created a religious community (ummah). One day, when Muhammad was lying in a gazebo, covered with a cloak, a voice again sounded, ordering him to begin a public sermon. Muhammad gave his first public sermon in the center of Mecca in front of a large crowd of citizens, but it was not successful. The Quraish did not believe that Allah created the earth, man, and animals, and they demanded a miracle from him. While Muhammad glorified Allah in his sermons, the townspeople put up with it. But when he began to attack the gods (idols) who were revered in the Kaaba temple, the Quraysh decided to prohibit Muhammad and his supporters from praying near the temple. They poured dirty water on him, threw stones at him, scolded him, and humiliated him. In 622, Muhammad and his loved ones, unable to withstand ridicule and persecution, moved to the city of Yathrib (Medina). The year of migration marked the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

The Medinians received Muhammad with almost universal approval. In Medina, Muhammad became a skilled politician and ruler. He united all the warring clans of the city and ruled fairly. People believed Muhammad and followed him. The number of converts to Islam grew rapidly. Medina became a strong Muslim center. The first mosque was built here, rules of prayer and behavior in everyday life were established, and the basic principles of religious doctrine were formed. They were expressed in the “revelations” that made up the Koran, in the words, decisions and actions of Muhammad himself.

But Mecca remained hostile to Muslims. The inhabitants of Mecca attacked Muslims several times and Muhammad had to use force to subdue and bring the Quraish to reason. In 630, Muhammad triumphantly returned to Mecca. Mecca and the Kaaba become the shrine of Islam. Muhammad cleared the pagan sanctuary of the Kaaba from idols, leaving only the “black stone”. Muhammad signed a peace treaty with the Quraysh and, having converted everyone to Islam, returned to Medina. In 632, he died of illness, being virtually the ruler of all Arabia.

All sources reporting on the life and work of Muhammad emphasize his modest lifestyle. Muhammad was undoubtedly an exceptional person, a dedicated, intelligent and flexible politician. Muhammad's personal qualities became an important factor in the fact that Islam, which was initially one of many ideological movements that marked the transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages, turned into one of the most influential world religions. According to the teachings of Islam, Muhammad is the last prophet in human history. After him there were and will be no more prophets and world religions.

This is interesting:

“Muhammad lives extremely simply and dresses modestly. He wears a coarse cloak, has one change of linen underwear, does not allow himself any cracks or expensive fabrics, wears a turban or a square head scarf, boots or sandals, cleans and mends his own clothes, he does not need a servant. Muhammad’s food is equally simple: a handful of dates, a barley cake, cheese, a cup of milk, porridge and fruit - this is the food every day, meat is served no more than once a week.”

“Muhammad, according to the description of his contemporaries, was of average height, broad-shouldered, wiry, with large arms and legs. His face was long, with sharp and expressive features, an aquiline nose and black eyes. Steep, almost fused eyebrows, a large and flexible mouth, white teeth, smooth black hair that fell on his shoulders, and a long, thick beard...

He was gifted with quick intelligence. Strong memory. A lively imagination and a genius of inventiveness. He was quick-tempered by nature, but knew how to control the impulses of his heart. He was honest and the same with everyone. The common people loved him for the friendliness with which he accepted and listened to all complaints.”