Biography of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Part-2

When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was 40 years old, it was the year 610 CE. During this time, he used to meditate in the Cave of Hira, located about 4.5 kilometers from Mecca, on the mountain known as Jabal al-Noor (the Mountain of Light). Even before receiving revelation, the Prophet was renowned for his truthfulness, honesty, exemplary character, refined manners, and noble thoughts in both his personal and social life.

On the 27th night of Ramadan, a Monday, which corresponded to February 1, 610 CE, the Prophet (PBUH) was deeply engrossed in devotion in the Cave of Hira, seeking closeness to his Creator. While he was immersed in worship, suddenly the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel, peace be upon him) appeared before him and said: "Read."

The Prophet replied, "I do not know how to read."

He later described the moment, saying: "When I responded that I could not read, the angel embraced me tightly until I could hardly bear it. Then he released me and again said, ‘Read.’ I replied the same way, and he repeated the action a second and third time. After the third embrace, he recited the initial verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq (Iqra).”

The Prophet repeated those verses, which were firmly engraved in his heart. When he came down from the mountain, he was overwhelmed and trembling under the weight of the revelation. Entering his home, he said: "Cover me with a cloak!" Lady Khadijah (RA) immediately covered him. Once he calmed down, he narrated the entire incident to her and said, "I fear for my life."

Lady Khadijah (RA) comforted him and said, "By Allah, He will never disgrace you. You maintain family ties, you are generous to guests, you support the helpless, and you help those in need."

Children of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

From his marriage to Lady Khadijah (RA), the Prophet (PBUH) had two sons and four daughters:

Sons:

Qasim

Abdullah

Daughters:

Zainab

Ruqayyah

Umm Kulthum

Fatimah (RA)

Later, from another wife, Maria al-Qibtiyya (Maria the Copt), the Prophet had another son:

Ibrahim

Qasim passed away at the age of 2, and Abdullah died in infancy before the Prophet’s prophethood. Ibrahim also passed away at just 16 months of age.

Marriages of the Daughters of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The eldest daughter, Zainab, was married to Abu al-As ibn Rabi', the son of Khadijah’s (RA) sister, Hala. Zainab had one daughter named Umamah. She passed away in the 8th year of Hijrah.

The second daughter, Ruqayyah, was first married to Utbah, the son of Abu Lahab. However, when the Prophet began preaching Islam, Abu Lahab forced his son to divorce Ruqayyah. Later, she was married to Uthman ibn Affan (RA).

The third daughter, Umm Kulthum, was initially married to Utaibah, also a son of Abu Lahab. Like Ruqayyah, she too was divorced due to Abu Lahab’s hostility toward Islam. Later, she was also married to Uthman (RA) after Ruqayyah’s death. Umm Kulthum passed away in the 9th year of Hijrah.

Thus, two of the Prophet's daughters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum, were married to Uthman (RA). During the Battle of Badr in the 2nd year of Hijrah, on the 17th of Ramadan, Ruqayyah passed away. The Prophet (PBUH) personally buried her in Jannat al-Baqi. After her death, Uthman (RA) married Umm Kulthum.

The fourth daughter, Fatimah (RA), was married to Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA). At the time of their marriage, Fatimah (RA) was 15 years, 5 months, and 15 days old. Their marriage took place in the month of Safar in the 2nd year of Hijrah, and the wedding was consummated in Dhul-Hijjah of the same year. Fatimah (RA) was born in 609 CE and passed away in 632 CE at the young age of 23.