1. Muhammad in Mecca

The Prophet Muhammad’s birth and early years in pagan Mecca. His marriage to wealthy widow Khadija. The first revelations of the Holy Quran and the apparition of the Angel Gabriel at age 40. His claims to prophethood, preachings, and warnings of hellfire. The first converts to Islam. Rejection and mockery by the Meccans. Early arguments, violence and conflicts with the Meccans. The first Muslim emigration to Abyssinia. The boycott of Muhammad’s family clans. The famous incident of the Satanic Verses. The ending of the boycott. [read more]

2. The Migration to Medina, 622CE

The Prophet Muhammad’s unsuccessful journey to al-Taif to get armed support against his own people. Hailed as a prophet by the pagan tribes of Medina. His Night Journey to Jerusalem on Buraq, and his Ascent to Heaven. The First Pledge of Aqaba in 621CE with the warriors of the Aus and Khazraj tribes. Allah’s command to wage war on unbelievers. The Pledge of War and the Hijra [the Emigration to Medina] in 622CE. Rejection by the Jews of Medina. The Charter of Medina. The re-introduction of stoning for adultery. [read more]

3. Muhammad's Raids on the Quraysh, 623CE

The first Muslim raids on Meccan camel caravans. The first successful armed raid at Nakhla. The first killing in the name of Islam and the first division of the spoils of war. The Prophet’s plans for an armed attack at Badr on a large Meccan camel caravan led by Abu Sufyan. [read more]

4. The Battle of Badr, 624CE

The march of the Meccan army to Badr to defend the caravan. Muslim destruction of wells at Badr. The Battle of Badr. The Prophet’s first incitements of young men to martyrdom with the promise of Paradise. The victory of the Muslims. The slaughter of the Meccans and the taunting of the bodies of his enemies in the night. The beheading of captive opponents on the way back to Medina with the spoils. The siege and exiling of the Jewish tribe, the Beni Qaynuka. The assassination of Jewish poet Ka’b b. Al-Ashraf and the order to kill Jews in Medina. [read more]

5. The Battle of Uhud, 625CE

The grief of the Quraysh. Their revenge attack on Medina at the Battle of Uhud. The death of Muslim warrior Hamza in battle. The rout of the Muslims. Mutilation of the bodies of Muslims in revenge for Badr. The Prophet’s escape. The beheading of al-Harith. The assassination of Abu Afak. The assassinations of Jewish poetess Asma b. Marwan and Jewish leader Khalid b. Sufyan and the reprisals. [read more]

6. Exile and Massacre of the Jews and The Battle of the Trench, 627CE

The siege and exiling of the Jewish tribe, the Beni al-Nadir. The Siege of Medina by the Meccans and their allies. The Battle of the Trench. The Prophet’s use of deceit to confound his enemies. The siege and massacre of the men of the Jewish tribe the Beni Qurayza. The Prophet’s choice of Rayhana. [read more]

7. The Killing of Sallam and the Assault on Khaybar

The assassination of Jewish leader Sallam. The Prophet’s attack on the Beni-al Mustaliq. The scandal concerning Aisha and the lashing of the slanderers.The Muslim raid on the Beni Fazara and the hideous death of their leader Umm Qirfa.The crucifixion and amputation of thieves. Muhammad’s pilgrimage to Mecca, the Pledge of al-Ridwan and the signing of the Treaty of Hudaybiya with the Meccans. The sending of envoys to neighbouring tribes and countries inviting submission to Islam. The Prophet’s dawn attack on the Jews of Khaybar. The torture and killing of Jewish leader Kinana. The Prophet’s choice of Safiya. The attempted cyanide poisoning of the Prophet by a captive Jewish woman. [read more]

8. The Conquest of Mecca and the First Attacks on Christian Syria

The Prophet orders the first Muslim attack on Byzantine Christian Syria at Muta. The Conquest of Mecca with 10,000 armed warriors. The destruction of idols at the Kabah. The Prophet’s death list. The Battle of Hunayn against the Hawazin and the Siege of al-Taif. The Prophet’s attack on Tabuk in Christian Syria with 30,000 men. The Proclamation of The Discharge of all Treaties and Obligations to Unbelievers and Allah’s command to wage jihad on Jews and Christians until they are utterly subdued. [read more]

9. The Death of the Prophet and the Origins of the Caliphate

The Year of Deputations from the tribes of Arabia. The rival prophet Musaylima. The Prophet’s farewell pilgrimage and sermon. His final orders as to the treatment of women. His last illness and his dying wish for the Muslims to attack Christian Syria and establish Allah’s reign throughout the world. [read more]

Appendix 1: Chronology of the Prophet's Life and Wars

The classically accepted and definitive chronology of the Prophet's raids, attacks, battles, assassinations, massacres and wars against unbelievers that took place between 622CE, the Year of the Hijrah (Migration to Medina), and the Prophet's death in 632CE. Also includes notes on the months of the Arabic lunar calendar. [read more]

Appendix 2: The Wives of the Prophet Muhammad

Introduction. Pre-Islamic infanticide in Arabia. Pre-Islamic freedom of women in Arabia. Early Islamic treatment of women in Medina: female genital mutilation, slavery, concubinage and polygamy accepted into the sunna of the Prophet. The beginnings of his harem. His re-introduction of stoning for adultery. The Divine Verse of the Hijab, or the ‘full covering of women’ as instigated by Omar. Islamic superiority of men over women. The rota system. Wife-beating commanded in the Quran. Ibn Hisham’s list of the Prophet’s wives and concubines. [read more]