The birth of Prophet Muhammad (the first year of his life)

The birth of Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was a momentous event whose effect on the world is still clearly evident today. Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was the light that Allah (Glorified is He) allowed to shine on the world to save mankind from the darkness they were living in. He (peace be upon him) was good news to troubled hearts, and joy to weary souls. He (peace be upon him) was a mercy from Allah (Glorified is He) and guidance to all the worlds.

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), the chosen one, was born in Mecca. His noble face first shone upon the world on the morning of Monday, 12th of Rabi’ Al-Awwal in the Year of the Elephant.

This year was called by this name as it was the year in which the well-known event of the elephants of Yemen occurred. This was when Abraha of Abyssinia and his elephant led a great army to Mecca to destroy the House of Allah, the Kabba. Allah (Glorified is He) told us about them and their punishment in His Book. Allah (Glorified is He) says, {Do you not see how your Lord dealt with the Companions of the Elephant. Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray. And He sent against them flights of birds. Striking them with stones of baked clay. Then did He make them like chewed-up stalks} [Surah Al-Feel: 1-5].

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) was born on the 12th of Rabi Al-Awwal A.H., 20th or 22nd of April, 571 C.E.

Concerning Prophet Muhammed’s birth, his mother saw a dream that when she was giving birth to Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), she saw a light leave her that lit up the palaces of Sham. Ameena’s baby was clean when she gave birth, i.e. there were no remains of the birth process on baby Muhammed. Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said, «I am the answer to Prophet Ibrahim’s supplication and the good news Issa (Jesus) foretold to his followers. My mother, when she was pregnant with me, saw a dream in which I was like a light that left her and lit up the palaces of Busra in the land of Sham» [related by Ahmed].