When was Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, born? Muslim scholars and historians have long discussed the day, month, and year of the Prophet’s birth.
There is broad agreement among scholars of the Prophetic biography that he was born on a Monday and in the Year of the Elephant, while historians differed over the exact day of Rabi' al-Awwal.
A sound hadith in Sahih Muslim reports that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked about fasting on Monday. He replied:
“That is the day on which I was born, and the day on which I was sent or revelation was sent down to me.”
As for the claim that he was specifically born at dawn, there is no clear authentic text establishing the exact hour of his birth.
Was Prophet Muhammad Born on Monday?
Yes. It is established that Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was born on Monday.
The strongest evidence is the hadith of Abu Qatadah, may Allah be pleased with him, in which the Prophet explained the significance of Monday by saying:
“That is the day on which I was born.”
This is one of the clearest authentic indications concerning the day of his birth.
Was He Born at Dawn?
Some biographies describe his birth as occurring on Monday morning, but there is no clear authentic evidence establishing that he was born specifically at dawn.
Therefore, what can be stated with confidence is that his birth occurred on Monday and in the Year of the Elephant. The precise hour of his birth is not established through an authentic Prophetic report.
When Was Prophet Muhammad Born in the Islamic Calendar?
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was born in Rabi' al-Awwal during the Year of the Elephant.
However, scholars and historians have differed over the exact day of the month.
Among the dates mentioned are:
- 2 Rabi' al-Awwal.
- 8 Rabi' al-Awwal.
- 9 Rabi' al-Awwal.
- 10 Rabi' al-Awwal.
- 12 Rabi' al-Awwal.
- 17 Rabi' al-Awwal.
- 22 Rabi' al-Awwal.
12 Rabi' al-Awwal is among the most widely known dates associated with the Prophet’s birth and has become the traditional date used by many Muslims when commemorating the occasion.
Nevertheless, historians differ over the exact date, so it should not be presented as an undisputed historical fact.
In What Gregorian Year Was the Prophet Born?
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was born in the Year of the Elephant, the year associated in Islamic history with the expedition of Abraha against the Ka'bah.
Converting this historical date into the Gregorian calendar is approximate. Among the commonly cited estimates are 570 or 571 CE.
For this reason, the Year of the Elephant remains the more historically established reference, while the exact Gregorian conversion is subject to historical calculation and disagreement.
Where Was Prophet Muhammad Born?
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was born in Makkah, in the area known as the Valley of Banu Hashim.
Makkah was an important religious and commercial center in Arabia, and it was there that the Prophet spent his early years before eventually receiving revelation and being sent as a mercy to the worlds.
When Was the Prophet Born and When Did He Die?
It is established that Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was born on Monday and that he also died on Monday.
The exact day of Rabi' al-Awwal for both events, however, has been subject to historical disagreement.
The commonly reported view is that the Prophet died in Rabi' al-Awwal in 11 AH, after conveying the message and fulfilling his mission.
The Lineage of Prophet Muhammad
The Prophet’s lineage is:
Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim ibn Abd Manaf ibn Qusayy ibn Kilab ibn Murrah ibn Ka'b ibn Lu'ayy ibn Ghalib ibn Fihr ibn Malik ibn al-Nadr ibn Kinanah ibn Khuzaymah ibn Mudrikah ibn Ilyas ibn Mudar ibn Nizar ibn Ma'add ibn Adnan.
His noble lineage reaches Adnan, and the traditional genealogical accounts connect Adnan to Prophet Ismail, peace be upon him.
His mother was Aminah bint Wahb ibn Abd Manaf ibn Zuhrah ibn Kilab, whose lineage met that of Abdullah, the Prophet’s father, at Kilab.
Who Was Prophet Muhammad’s Foster Mother?
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was nursed by Halimah al-Sa'diyyah, Halimah bint Abi Dhu'ayb of Banu Sa'd.
His stay among Banu Sa'd and the reports concerning the blessings associated with his presence there are among the well-known events recorded in the Prophetic biography.
The famous incident of the splitting of the chest is also reported as an event from his childhood.
How Did the Prophet Grow Up as an Orphan?
According to the well-known accounts of his biography, the Prophet’s father, Abdullah, died before his birth.
His mother, Aminah bint Wahb, then died while he was still a young child. His grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, cared for him afterward, and following his grandfather’s death, his uncle Abu Talib became his guardian.
The Prophet therefore grew up under the care of his family and became known among his people for his honesty and trustworthiness.
The Prophet’s Marriage to Khadijah
Before receiving revelation, the Prophet worked in trade and became known for his honesty and excellent character.
He later worked in the commercial activities of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, may Allah be pleased with her. After recognizing his honesty and trustworthiness, she married him.
Khadijah was the Prophet’s first wife and became one of his greatest sources of support, especially during the difficult early years of his Prophetic mission.
The Prophet and the Rebuilding of the Ka'bah
Before Prophethood, the Prophet witnessed the rebuilding of the Ka'bah. He was approximately 35 years old according to the commonly reported accounts.
When the tribes of Quraysh disagreed over who should place the Black Stone in its position, the Prophet proposed a solution that satisfied everyone.
The stone was placed on a cloth, and representatives of the tribes jointly lifted it. The Prophet then placed it in its position with his own hands.
This incident demonstrated his wisdom and respected position among the people of Makkah even before revelation.
When Did Prophet Muhammad Receive Revelation?
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, received revelation and was commissioned as a prophet at the age of 40.
The first revelation came to him in the Cave of Hira.
Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, was the first person to believe in him, followed by other early believers who accepted Islam.
The Prophet initially preached privately in Makkah before later openly calling people to Islam and facing severe opposition and persecution.
The Prophet’s Birth and His Mercy to the Worlds
The mission of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was a profound mercy to humanity.
Allah says:
“And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.”
The Prophetic message was not limited to one particular people or period. It called humanity to guidance, purification, knowledge, righteousness, and worship of Allah.
For this reason, studying the Prophet’s biography is not only about knowing the date of his birth. It also means learning about his character, mercy, justice, wisdom, and method of dealing with people.
Conclusion
It is established that Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was born on Monday, in the Year of the Elephant, during Rabi' al-Awwal, in Makkah.
The exact day of Rabi' al-Awwal remains disputed among historians, although 12 Rabi' al-Awwal is one of the most widely known dates.
As for the claim that he was born specifically at dawn, there is no clear authentic text establishing the exact time.
The safest approach is therefore to distinguish between what is firmly established in authentic reports and the different historical opinions recorded in works of Prophetic biography.
Was Prophet Muhammad born on Monday?
Yes. This is established by the authentic hadith of Abu Qatadah, may Allah be pleased with him.
Was Prophet Muhammad born at dawn?
There is no clear authentic text that establishes the exact time of his birth as dawn.
In which month was Prophet Muhammad born?
He was born in Rabi' al-Awwal, according to the well-known view among scholars of Prophetic biography.
What is the most famous date of the Prophet’s birth?
12 Rabi' al-Awwal is the most widely known date, although historians have differed over the exact day.
In which year was Prophet Muhammad born?
He was born in the Year of the Elephant. Gregorian estimates commonly place his birth around 570 or 571 CE.
