Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), is the final Messenger of Allah. This page offers a starting guide to his life and prophethood, following the sīra (biography) and hadith sources in the Keşkül library; each section links to articles that explain the topic in full detail.
Birth
When asked about the virtue of fasting on Mondays, our Prophet explained the significance of that day in his own life as follows:
“That is the day on which I was born and on which I was sent as a prophet (or revelation was sent to me).” (Muslim, Siyām 197-198)
Source and explanation: Monday Fast: The Birth and Revelation Day of the Prophet. For the period from his birth to his youth, you can follow Asım Köksal's Islamic History through its index: Asım Köksal Islamic History Index.
His Being Unlettered and Trustworthy
As clearly stated in the Qur'an, our Prophet was ummī (unlettered); he could neither read nor write, and his entire life was lived in full view of his society. What he knew, he knew and conveyed through divine revelation. For an article that discusses this topic with evidence from the sources: The Prophet’s Being Unlettered and the Clarity of His Entire Life.
The First Revelation
He was granted prophethood at the age of forty. This process began with true dreams and culminated in the first revelation in the Cave of Hira, when Jibril (Gabriel, peace be upon him) addressed him: “Iqra! (Read/Recite!)” For accounts of this great moment in the sources:
His Call and Struggle
Our Prophet called people to tawhid (the oneness of God); this call was met with severe oppression in Mecca. The tortures suffered by the family of Yasir, among the first Muslims, bear witness to this period: The Tortures Inflicted on Yasir and His Family. For the course of the call: The Prophet’s Initiation of Spreading the Doctrine of Tawhid. One of the miracles given to him, the splitting of the moon, is also detailed with its sources here: The Miracle of the Splitting of the Moon.
His Passing
After the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet fell ill and passed away in Medina in the 11th year of the Hijra. An article examining his last days, his bequest, and what he left to his community in light of historical sources: The Passing of the Prophet: A Reflection.
Related Articles
- Asım Köksal Islamic History Index (read the sīra from start to finish)
- Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya Index (Ibn Kathir)
- Memorize 40 Hadith: Get to Know the Prophet’s Sayings
- Monday Fast: Birth and Revelation Day
- The Passing of the Prophet: A Reflection
- All Articles in the Prophet Muhammad Section
Next step in the guide: What is the Qur’an? →