Seerah Part 1 | From Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to the Birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

 The life of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is like a shining lamp for all of humanity. His 

Seerah (biography) is not just a story, but a complete guide on how to live a meaningful and 

righteous life. Before we begin the details of his blessed life, it is very important to understand 

the background—the history of Arabia, the role of Prophet Ibrahim (AS), the sacrifice of 

Prophet Ismail (AS), and the rebuilding of the Kaaba. All these events were like the opening 

chapters that prepared the world for the arrival of the final Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

In this first part of the Seerah series, we will travel back in time to understand the golden 

chain of events that lead from Prophet Ibrahim (AS) all the way to the birth of Prophet 

Muhammad ﷺ.

Arabia Before Islam

Long before the birth of the Prophet ﷺ, Arabia was mostly desert land. There were no great 

empires or huge cities like in Rome or Persia. Instead, Arabia was home to small tribes 

scattered across the land. The people were proud of their tribal connections and ancestry. 

They were skilled in poetry, horse riding, and trade.

However, with time, Arabia fell into deep ignorance. Most of the tribes worshipped idols 

instead of Allah. They had filled the Kaaba, the sacred House of Allah, with hundreds of stone 

idols. Injustice, tribal wars, and unfair treatment of women were common. Yet, even in this 

darkness, the Arabs still respected the Kaaba as a holy place and continued some traditions 

from the time of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

It was in this very land of deserts, camels, and trade routes that Allah chose to send His final 

Messenger ﷺ. But to understand why Arabia was chosen, we must go back to Prophet Ibrahim 

(AS).

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) – The Friend of Allah

Prophet Ibrahim (AS) is one of the greatest Prophets in history. He is called Khalilullah – the 

Friend of Allah. Allah tested him in many ways, and he passed every test with patience and 

faith.

One of the greatest trials of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) was leaving his wife Hajar (AS) and his baby 

son Ismail (AS) in the empty desert of Makkah. At that time, Makkah had no water, no trees, 

and no people. It was a barren land surrounded by mountains.

Hajar (AS), in complete trust of Allah, accepted this test. When the baby Ismail (AS) cried of 

thirst, Hajar ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa searching for water. In this moment of 

desperation, Allah blessed them with the miraculous spring of Zamzam. This water still flows 

in Makkah today, reminding us of the faith and sacrifice of Hajar (AS).

This event marked the beginning of Makkah becoming a center of life and settlement. Slowly, 

tribes came to live around the water of Zamzam, and the city grew.

The Rebuilding of the Kaaba

When Prophet Ismail (AS) grew older, Allah commanded Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son to 

rebuild the Kaaba. Together, father and son raised the foundation of the House of Allah. They 

made dua:

“Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Truly, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. Our 

Lord! And make us Muslims, submitting to You, and from our offspring a Muslim nation, 

submitting to You. And show us our ways of worship, and accept our repentance. Truly, You 

are the Most-Relenting, the Most-Merciful.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:127–128)

This dua was not only for themselves but for their future generations. It was a prayer for a 

Messenger to come from the family of Ismail (AS)—a Messenger who would guide humanity 

to Allah. This prayer was answered centuries later with the birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

The Lineage of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in the noble tribe of Quraysh. The Quraysh were the 

caretakers of the Kaaba, respected among Arabs. The Prophet’s family line goes back to 

Prophet Ismail (AS), the son of Prophet Ibrahim (AS).

This noble lineage was a sign of honor and respect. Allah chose the Prophet ﷺ from the 

purest and most respected family.

Arabia Awaits the Final Messenger

By the time of the Prophet’s birth, Arabia had been waiting for centuries for the promised 

Messenger. Jews and Christians, who lived in nearby regions, often spoke of the coming 

Prophet. The Jews in particular had migrated to Arabia because they knew from their 

scriptures that the final Prophet would appear in this land.

The Arabs, however, had lost much of the true message of Prophet Ibrahim (AS). They still 

performed pilgrimage to the Kaaba, but in a corrupted form with idol-worship and pagan 

practices. The world was ready for the light of guidance once again.

The Birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

In the year 570 CE, in the blessed month of Rabi al-Awwal, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in 

Makkah. This year is also known as the Year of the Elephant, because it was the year when 

Abraha, a Christian ruler from Yemen, tried to attack the Kaaba with a huge army and 

elephants. Allah protected His sacred House by sending flocks of birds (Ababil) that dropped 

stones upon the army, destroying them completely.

This was a clear sign that the Kaaba would be protected by Allah for the mission of the final 

Messenger ﷺ.

The Prophet ﷺ was born into the respected family of Banu Hashim. His father, Abdullah, had 

passed away before his birth. His mother, Amina, raised him with love, but she too passed 

away when he was very young. This left the Prophet ﷺ as an orphan, first under the care of his 

grandfather Abdul Muttalib, and later his uncle Abu Talib.

From the very beginning, Allah was preparing His beloved Prophet ﷺ for a special mission. 

Even as a child, he was known for his honesty, kindness, and truthfulness. People called him 

Al-Ameen (the Trustworthy).

Lessons from the Early Background

This first part of the Seerah shows us many important lessons:

Faith in Allah’s Plan – Just like Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Hajar (AS) trusted Allah in the desert, 

we too must put our trust in Him in difficult times.

The Power of Dua – The prayer of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) for a Messenger was answered 

centuries later. Our duas are never wasted.

The Sacredness of the Kaaba

  The Kaaba is not just a building, but a symbol of unity for all 

Muslims. Its history is deeply connected with Prophets.

The Coming of the Final Messenger ﷺ 

The birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was not random; 

it was the fulfillment of Allah’s promise.

Conclusion

The Seerah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the most beautiful story in history. In this first part, 

we looked at the journey starting from Prophet Ibrahim (AS), to Prophet Ismail (AS), the 

building of the Kaaba, and finally to the birth of the Prophet ﷺ.

Every step was part of Allah’s grand plan to send His final Messenger ﷺ. Understanding this 

background helps us see how blessed and chosen the Prophet ﷺ was, and how important his 

mission is for all of humanity.

In the next part of this series, we will dive deeper into the childhood and youth of the Prophet 

ﷺ, and see how Allah prepared him for prophethood.

FAQs

1. What is the meaning of Seerah?

Seerah means the life story or biography of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It includes his character, 

teachings, struggles, and guidance. Studying Seerah helps us understand how the Prophet ﷺ 

lived and how we can follow his example today.

2. Why do we start Seerah with Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Prophet Ismail (AS)?

We start with Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Prophet Ismail (AS) because they were the ancestors 

of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Their story, especially the building of the Kaaba in Makkah, is a key 

part of the background of the Prophet’s ﷺ life and mission.

3. What is the importance of the Kaaba in Seerah?

The Kaaba, built by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and Prophet Ismail (AS), is the first House of Allah 

on earth. It became the center of worship for Muslims. The life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is 

closely linked to the Kaaba and Makkah, where Islam started.

4. How does learning Seerah help us today?

Learning Seerah helps us understand Islam better, connect with the Prophet ﷺ, and apply his 

teachings in our daily lives. It teaches us patience, kindness, justice, and trust in Allah, which 

are values we need in the modern world.

5. What will we learn in Seerah Part 1?

In Seerah Part 1, we learn about Prophet Ibrahim (AS), Prophet Ismail (AS), the building of the 

Kaaba, and the family background of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This part sets the stage for 

understanding the birth and early life of the Prophet ﷺ.