Today (Saturday, 27 February) marks the birth and death anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the final Messenger of Islam.

Muhammad (pbuh) was born on Monday, 12 Rabi al-Awwal in the Year of the Elephant, in Makkah, Arabia. The Christian date of his birth is 20 April 571 AC. (Note: Muslims follow the lunar calendar, which began with the Hijrah or migration of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) from Makkah to Madinah.)

Muhammad (pbuh), Our Hero

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came to humankind with a message of faith, compassion, hope and mercy. He was beloved by Allah Almighty and an example among humans. He prayed, he contemplated. He loved, he gave. He served, he transformed. The Prophet (pbuh) was the light that leads to Light, and in learning from his life, believers return to the Source of Life and find His light, His warmth, and His love.

His father’s name was Abdullah, son of Abdul Mutallib. His mother’s name was Amina, daughter of Wahab bin Abd Munaf. Abdullah passed away a few months before Muhamad (pbuh) was born.

His grandfather, Abdul Mutallib named the baby Muhammad. His mother called him Ahmad. Both these names mean praised one.

For about six years, a nurse named Halima took care of him. Muhammad (pbuh) treated Halima with great love and respect.

Muhammad’s (pbuh) mother, Amina passed away when he was six years old. His grandfather, Abdul Mutallib then took care of him. But within two years, Abdul Mutallib also passed away. Muhammad (pbuh) then went to live with his uncle, Abu Talib. He was eight years old.

Muhammad (pbuh) was loved by everyone, because he was truthful and honest. He had good manners. He was strong and full of courage; ever ready to help those in need.

The people of Makkah called him ‘Al-Amin’ meaning ‘The Honest’ and ‘Al Sadiq’ meaning ‘The Truthful’.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the most perfect of all creation; and because of Allah’s love for him, Allah created the whole Universe. His date of birth is thus of great importance to us all, we the followers of Islam. On that day a bright dazzling light shone and lit up the whole East and West; an earthquake shook the Empire of Persia; and there was a burning fire for a thousand years, which ended by itself by the Power of Allah.

Arabia in those days was a terrible place, as the people cared for no one but themselves. They were very cruel and greedy and had no courtesy and mannerisms. They would kill people for no reason and even bury their own daughters alive. Muhammad (pbuh) was sent to the people of Arabia especially to bring out the good in people; to teach them right from wrong; to help the poor, destitute, needy and oppressed folk as required of him by Allah.

Throughout the twenty-three years of his mission, Muhammad (pbuh) sought the way to spiritual freedom and liberation. He received Revelation, step by step, in the midst of the circumstances of life, as if the Most High was conversing with him in history, for eternity. The Qur’an tells us: “You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent example for him who hopes in [aspires to get close to] Allah and the Final Day and who remembers Allah intensely.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:21) The Messenger is the master whose teachings one studies, the guide one follows on the Way, the model one aspires to resemble, and, above all, the elect whose sayings, silences, and actions one is invited to ponder.

Adapted from: The Messenger: The Meanings of the Life of Muhammad by Tariq Ramadan (2007) and the Islamic School Council booklet printed in 1987.