Sirah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW: the birth of the Prophet Muhammad SAW

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Muhammad SAW is a prophet who is called Khatamul Anbiya, or the closing of the Prophets. A series of amazing events marked the birth of a special baby who would one day become the most beloved human being of Allah SWT and the universe: Muhammad SAW. Two months before the Prophet was born, General Abraha's army attacked by bringing elephants to Mecca, aiming to destroy the Kaaba. However, Allah SWT destroyed Abraha's Army by sending an army of birds that dropped hot stones.

Another incident was the death of the sacred fire worshiped by followers of the Zoroastrian religion in Persia, even though the fire had been burning for about 1,000 years. Also the collapse of the Bahira church. This is found in a hadith narrated by Baihaqi,

"On the night of the Prophet Muhammad's birth, the balcony of the Kisra palace collapsed, 14 churches collapsed, the fire (worshipped by the Magi) in Persia went out which had been burning for 1000 years, and the Bahira church fell to the ground."

On Monday, the 12th of Rabiul Awal, the baby was born to a noble woman named Aminah bint Wahab. The baby was given the name Muhammad, a name recently known in the Arab Lands. The name Muhammad is the maf'ul of Hamdun, which means praise. Muhammad also has another name, namely Ahmad. This is stated in the following hadith,

“Actually I have several names. I am Muhammad, I am Ahmad, I am al-Mahi who because of me Allah has eradicated disbelief, I am al-Hasyir where people will gather, and I am al-Aqib." (Narrated by Bukhari).

As mentioned above, Muhammad is a name that has never been used by Arabs before him. This also shows his specialty as the main human chosen by Allah SWT as the last prophet.

The year of his birth is often referred to as the Year of the Elephant. If taken from the Hijri year, it means 53 years before the Hijri year, because Rasulullah SAW became an Apostle at the age of 40, then preached in Mecca for 13 years, and preached in Medina for 10 years.

If drawn from the Gregorian calendar, his birth date coincides with April 20 in 571. In that year, 2 major world empires were in power, namely the Eastern Roman Empire centered in Constantinople with its emperor Justin II (reigned 565 – 578 AD), and Persian Empire (Sasanid) centered on the city of Tysphon, an ancient city on the banks of the Tigris River, Iran.

Prophet Muhammad SAW was born in the city of Mecca, coming from a noble family of Bani Hasyim. His father, Abdullah, was the son of Abdul Muthallib bin Hasyim (real name Syaibah bin Hasyim), a prominent Quraysh tribe leader. Abdul Muttalib is the fourth leader of the Quraysh Tribal Confederation.

Abdul Muthalib had several sons and daughters, namely: Al-Harith, Abu Lahab (Abdul Uzza bin 'Abdul Muttalib), Abu Talib (real name Abdul Manaf), Zubair, Abdullah (father of the Prophet Muhammad SAW), Hamza, Abbas, Al- Baidha', Barrah, Arwa, Atikah, Umamah, and Safiyyah.

From his father's path, the Prophet's lineage was connected to Prophet Ibrahim a.s. and the prophet Adam a.s. The following is the order of his very noble lineage:

Muhammad SAW bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muthalib bin Hasyim bin Abdu Manaf bin Qushai bin Kilab bin Murrah bin Ka'ab bin Luay bin Ghalib bin Fihr bin Malik bin Nadr bin Kinanah bin Khuzaimah bin Mudrikah bin Nabi Ilyas AS bin Mudlar bin Nizar bin Ma'ad bin Adnan bin 'Adad bin Humaisa' bin Salaaman bin 'Iwadh bin Buuz bin Qimwal bin Abi Awwam bin Naasyid bin Hiza bin Buldas bin Yadhaf bin Thabiikh bin Jaahim bin Naahisy bin Maakhi bin 'Iid bin Abqor bin 'Ubaid bin Addi'a bin Hamdaan bin Sunbur bin Yathribi bin Yahzan bin Yalhan bin Ar'awi bin 'Iid bin Disyaan bin 'Aishar bin Afnaad bin Ayhaam bin Miqshar bin Naahits bin Zaarih bin Sumay bin Mizzi bin Uudah bin 'Uram bin Qoidzar bin Nabi Ismail AS bin Nabi Ibrahim A.S. bin Taarih (Aazar) bin Nahuur bin Saaruu bin Raa'uw bin Faalikh bin 'Aabir bin Syaalikh bin Afkhasyad bin Sam bin Nabi Nuh AS bin Laamiik bin Mutwisylakh bin Nabi Idris AS bin Yarid bin Mahlaaiil bin Aanuusyah bin Nabi Syits AS bin Nabi Adam A.S.

As for the mother, Aminah bint Wahab, was the daughter of Wahb bin Abdu Manaf bin Zuhrah bin Kilab, a leader from Bani Zuhrah.

Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib died when the Prophet was still in the womb, so when he was born, he was directly under the protection of his grandfather as a representative of his father. The grandfather really loved his grandson. Abdul Muttalib. It was his grandfather who gave him the name Muhammad, and insisted on this name, although many people were surprised by this unusual name. [US].