Muhammad is the founding prophet of Islam, the last of the great monotheistic religions. Born in Mecca around 570 [1][5], he is considered by Muslims to be the last messenger of God, the “seal of the prophets” [5], the one who received the final divine revelation, the Quran. His life, teachings and actions, recorded in the hadiths, constitute, along with the Quran, the foundations of Islamic faith and practice. His message of the oneness of God, social justice and universal brotherhood profoundly transformed the Arab society of his time, and continues to influence the lives of millions of people around the world [7][8].
Youth and the First Steps to Prophecy
A childhood marked by orphanhood
Muhammad was born in Mecca, a caravan city on the Arabian Peninsula, to the Banu Hashim clan, a branch of the powerful Quraysh tribe. His father, Abdullah, died before he was born, and his mother, Amina, died when he was six [2]. He was then cared for by his paternal grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, and then, after his death, by his uncle, Abu Talib, a respected leader of the Banu Hashim clan [2][7].
A polytheistic society
Mecca at the time was an important religious center, home to the Kaaba, a cubic sanctuary which, according to Islamic tradition, was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael. Over time, however, the Kaaba became a place of polytheistic worship, housing hundreds of idols representing various Arab deities. Meccan society was then marked by polytheistic beliefs, tribal rivalries and social injustice.
Al-Amin, the Man of Trust
Muhammad grew up in this environment and quickly distinguished himself by his honesty, uprightness and wisdom. He earned the nickname “al-Amin”, meaning “the trustworthy” or “the faithful” [2]. He is renowned for his integrity in business transactions and his ability to resolve conflicts fairly.
Marriage with Khadija
At the age of 25, Muhammad entered the service of Khadija, a wealthy widow from Mecca, for whom he ran commercial caravans [1][7]. Impressed by his qualities, Khadija proposed marriage, which he accepted. Together they had several children, including a daughter, Fatima, who would play an important role in the history of Islam. Khadija was the first person to believe in Muhammad’s prophetic mission, and supported him throughout his life.
Divine Revelation: A Decisive Turning Point
The Night of Destiny
Around the age of 40, Muhammad developed the habit of regularly retreating to a cave on Mount Hira, near Mecca, to meditate and reflect [1][8]. In the year 610, during one of these retreats in the month of Ramadan, he had an experience that changed his life and the course of history. The angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) appeared to him and ordered him to recite the first verses of the Quran [9]. This night is known in Islamic tradition as “Laylat al-Qadr”, the Night of Destiny.
The Beginning of the Prophetic Mission
Terrified by this experience, Muhammad confided in Khadija, who reassured and supported him. Gradually, he received further revelations from the angel Gabriel, who confirmed his mission as a prophet, sent by God to guide mankind. He began to preach the message of the oneness of God (Tawhid) and to call on the Meccans to abandon polytheism and submit to God’s will.
The First Converts and the Opposition of the Quraysh
The first to embrace Islam were Khadija, his cousin Ali, his close friend Abu Bakr and his adopted son Zayd ibn Haritha. Muhammad’s message, which challenged the ancestral beliefs and social structures of Mecca, quickly met with strong opposition from the Qurayshite elites, who saw him as a threat to their power and economic interests.
The Hegira: A New Beginning
Persecution of Muslims
Faced with growing hostility from the Quraysh, the first Muslims suffered persecution, bullying and violence. Muhammad himself was mocked, insulted and assassinated.
The Aqaba Pact
In 620, a group of men from Yathrib, an oasis some 400 kilometers north of Mecca, pledged allegiance to Muhammad and invited him to settle in their town. This event, known as the “Pact of Aqaba”, marked a decisive turning point in the prophetic mission.
Emigration to Yathrib (Medina)
In 622, faced with intensifying persecution and the threat to his life, Muhammad decided to emigrate with his companions to Yathrib [5][7]. This event, known as the Hegira, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar [5][7]. Yathrib was renamed Medina, “the city of the Prophet”.
Building the Muslim Community
The Constitution of Medina
In Medina, Muhammad established the first Muslim community (Ummah) and laid the foundations of an Islamic state [1]. He drew up the Constitution of Medina, a document that defined the rights and duties of the city’s various tribes, including the Jewish tribes, and established principles of social justice, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The Unification of the Arab Tribes
Muhammad worked to unite Arab tribes, once divided by ancestral rivalries, under the banner of Islam. He established alliances, conducted negotiations and, when necessary, engaged in battles to defend the Muslim community and extend the influence of Islam.
Qur’anic revelations
Throughout this period, Muhammad continued to receive divine revelations, which were memorized by his companions and written down. These revelations, which form the Quran, guide the Muslim community in all aspects of life, from spirituality and politics to law and morality.
The Triumphal Return to Mecca
Battles and truces
Several battles pitted the Muslims of Medina against the Quraysh of Mecca, including the Battle of Badr in 624, where the Muslims won a decisive victory, and the Battle of Uhud in 625, which ended in defeat. In 628, a truce, known as the “Treaty of Hudaybiyya”, was signed between the two sides.
The Conquest of Mecca
In 630, following the breaking of the treaty by the Quraysh, Muhammad marched on Mecca at the head of a 10,000-strong army [1][4]. The city surrendered without resistance, and Muhammad granted a general amnesty to his former enemies [4]. He purified the Kaaba of idols and consecrated it to the worship of the one God [1][4]. This event marked the victory of Islam over polytheism in Arabia.
The Last Years and the Prophet’s Legacy
The Farewell Pilgrimage
In 632, Muhammad made his only pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the “Farewell Pilgrimage”. He delivered a memorable sermon, in which he reaffirmed the fundamental principles of Islam, such as the oneness of God, the equality of all believers, social justice and respect for human rights.
The Death of the Prophet
Shortly after his return to Medina, Muhammad fell ill and died on June 8, 632, at the age of 63 [5][4]. His death marked the end of divine revelation and the beginning of a new era for Islam, one of expansion under the leadership of the caliphs, his successors [5][4].
The Seal of Prophecy
For Muslims, Muhammad is the latest in a long line of prophets sent by God to guide mankind, including Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus. He is considered the “seal of the prophets” [5], the one who completed the divine message and brought the ultimate and complete revelation, the Quran.
A Model for Believers
Muhammad’s life, conduct, words and deeds, recorded in the hadiths, are a model for Muslims to follow. They strive to imitate his virtues, such as piety, patience, generosity, justice, courage and mercy. His life is a source of inspiration and a guide for believers in their quest for God’s satisfaction.
A Universal Message
Muhammad’s message, centered on the oneness of God, social justice and human brotherhood, transcended the borders of Arabia and touched millions of people around the world [7][8]. Islam, the religion he founded, is now the world’s second-largest religion, with over 1.8 billion followers, and continues to spread to every continent.
Conclusion
Muhammad’s life is an extraordinary story, that of an ordinary man who was chosen by God to accomplish an extraordinary mission. From orphan in Mecca to spiritual and political leader of Arabia, Muhammad dedicated his life to transmitting the divine message and establishing a community based on faith, justice and brotherhood. His legacy lives on today and continues to inspire millions of people around the world, making him one of the most influential figures in human history.
References :
[1] https://humanappeal.fr/news/2024/qu-est-ce-que-le-ramadan
[2] https://www.superprof.fr/blog/ramadan-guide-complet/
[3] https://www.nationalgeographic.fr/histoire/ramadan-comprendre-son-histoire-et-la-tradition
[4] https://gomuslim.fr/tout-savoir-sur-le-jeune-du-mois-de-ramadan/
[5] https://www.lepelerin.com/religions-et-spiritualites/culture-interreligieuse/quest-ce-que-le-ramadan-5608
[6] https://neyssa-shop.com/blog/12-conseils-pour-reussir-son-ramadan/
[7] https://oumma.com/la-veritable-signification-du-mois-sacre-du-ramadan-1-2/
[8] https://audio.islamweb.net/frh/frensh_books/BookletRamadanf.pdf
[9] https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan