The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

The early life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was born around 570 CE in Makkah

• The Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) early life was challenging because he:

  • Never knew his father, who died before he was born

  • Became an orphan at age six when his mother died

• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was raised by his uncle

• He earned his keep by looking after his grandfather’s sheep and then working as a merchant for his uncle

• By age 40, he was married to Khadijah, had children, owned a successful business and was highly respected in the community

• From an early age, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was religious and often went to the mountains to seek solitude for prayer and meditation

The revelation in Hira'

• In 610 CE, at the age of 40, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was called to serve Allah

• While praying in a cave on Mount Hira’, he had a life-altering experience 

  • The angel Jibril appeared to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) with a message from Allah

  • Angel Jibril commanded him to “Recite!”, but the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said he could not read

  • The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was able to recite the words although he had never been taught to read or write

  • When the angel left, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) left the cave, trembling from what had happened, and returned to Khadijah to tell her the story

• This event marks the first revelation of the Qur’an from Allah, and Muslims know the event as Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power

Persecution of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Makkah

• Over the next three years, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) spent more time in meditation and spiritual contemplation

  • The revelations from Allah continued

• Allah commanded him to preach Islam to his close family members, friends and, eventually, the people of Makkah

• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) preached about belief in Allah and the need for complete surrender to Allah as the only acceptable way to live

• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) challenged the way the people of Makkah were living

  • People behaved immorally, cheating people out of money and gambling

  • Prostitution was rife

  • Idol worship was acceptable

• The leaders of that time did not want to hear it and persecuted the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

The Hijrah and its importance today

• Eventually, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had to escape to Madinah with his followers

  • He had been rejected, and his life came under threat

• This journey in 622 CE is known as the Hijrah

• It is significant today because it marks the start of the Islamic calendar

  • The years after this event are marked as AH or After Hijrah

• In Madinah, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was seen as a great leader and a source of wisdom

  • He was asked to settle disputes and united the tribes in the city, negotiating a settlement known as the Constitution of Madinah

• In Madinah, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gathered a following of around 10,000 Muslim converts

• People were able to freely practise their faith. This was the first Muslim community and is seen as the start of the ummah

The significance of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the last and final prophet of Islam 

  • He is also known as the “Seal of the Prophets”

• The Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) revelations are found in the Qur’an, which is seen as being an exact and unaltered account of Islam

• His status as a prophet can be seen in the Shahadah, where a Muslim must testify that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the messenger of Allah

• The life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) acts as a guide for Muslims

  • He is viewed as the ideal human, husband, teacher and leader

• He is respected for his sense of morality and duty and his belief in the importance of community

• Muslims today try and emulate the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

• Muslims believe that they should try to develop characteristics that he possessed, such as responsibility, determination, patience, courage, honesty, trustworthiness and self-discipline

• Many Muslims will follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by undertaking additional prayers, living simply and giving to the poor