The Reestablishment of Islam: From the First Revelation to the Passing of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (610–632 AD)

The history of Islam begins with a pivotal moment in 610 CE, when the final divine message was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This period marks the restoration and completion of the pure monotheistic faith that God had sent to humanity through countless prophets before him — from Adam to Abraham, Moses, and Jesus — culminating in the message of Islam. This blog post will walk through the critical events from the first revelation until the Prophet’s ﷺ passing, showing how Islam was reestablished and spread, transforming the Arabian Peninsula and the world.

The First Revelation: The Beginning of a New Era

In the early 7th century, Arabia was a land of tribal societies bound by loyalty to clans, steeped in polytheism, idol worship, and social injustice. The Ka‘bah in Mecca was filled with idols, and the people lived under customs that marginalized women, orphans, and the poor. It was in this context that Muhammad ﷺ, a deeply reflective and honest man, often retreated to the cave of Hira to seek solitude and spiritual clarity.

During the month of Ramadan, in 610 CE, the Angel Jibrīl (Gabriel) appeared to him and commanded:
"Iqra’ bismi rabbika allathee khalaqa" — “Read in the name of your Lord who created” (Qur’an 96:1). This was the first divine revelation, inaugurating the Qur’anic message. Overwhelmed and trembling, Muhammad ﷺ returned home to his wife Khadijah, who comforted and reassured him. She became the first person to embrace Islam, affirming her husband’s prophethood and mission (Sahih al-Bukhari).

This moment marks the reestablishment of Islam — a call back to the worship of the one true God (Allah), and to ethical living based on justice and compassion.

The Early Years: Secret Preaching and the Formation of a Community

For the first few years, Muhammad ﷺ preached quietly, sharing the message only with close family and trusted friends. Among the earliest converts were Khadijah, his cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib, the freed slave Zayd ibn Harithah, and Abu Bakr, one of his closest companions.

The core message was clear: belief in one God, preparation for the Day of Judgment, and a call to social justice — caring for the poor, orphans, and slaves. Yet, the Quraysh tribe, which controlled Mecca’s religious and economic life, rejected the message vehemently. They feared losing power and influence.

Despite ridicule and persecution, the Prophet ﷺ remained steadfast, continuing to spread the message quietly while preparing for more public proclamation.

The Public Proclamation and Mounting Opposition

After about three years, Allah commanded Muhammad ﷺ to proclaim Islam openly to his tribe and the public (Qur’an 26:214). The Prophet ﷺ began inviting people to abandon idolatry and injustice and submit to Allah alone.

This public preaching was met with fierce opposition. Quraysh leaders, including Abu Lahab, actively worked to suppress the new faith. Muslims were subjected to persecution, social boycott, and economic sanctions. They faced isolation and hardship, but their faith and determination only grew stronger.

The year 619 CE, known as the Year of Sorrow, was particularly hard: Muhammad ﷺ lost his beloved wife Khadijah and his protector uncle Abu Talib. Without these pillars, hostility from the Quraysh intensified, but the Prophet ﷺ remained resolute.

The Night Journey and Ascension: A Spiritual Renewal

During this difficult period, the Prophet ﷺ experienced the miraculous Night Journey and Ascension (Isra and Mi‘rāj). One night, he was transported from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, then ascended through the heavens, meeting earlier prophets and ultimately standing in the Divine Presence (Qur’an 17:1).

This profound event reaffirmed his mission and gave spiritual strength to the Prophet ﷺ and the Muslim community. It was during this journey that the five daily prayers (Ṣalāh) were established, becoming a cornerstone of Islamic worship and identity.

The Hijra: Migration and the Birth of the Islamic State

As persecution escalated, the city of Yathrib (later called Medina) invited Muhammad ﷺ to settle there as a leader and arbitrator to unite warring tribes. In 622 CE, the Prophet ﷺ and his followers emigrated to Medina — an event so significant it marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

In Medina, Islam transformed from a persecuted faith to a thriving community. The Prophet ﷺ built the Masjid al-Nabawi (Prophet’s Mosque), which became a center for worship and governance. The Constitution of Medina was drafted, establishing a pluralistic society where Muslims, Jews, and other groups coexisted under principles of mutual rights, protection, and justice.

The bonds between the emigrants (Muhajirun) and the native Medinans (Ansar) were strengthened through acts of brotherhood, generosity, and shared responsibility (Qur’an 59:9).

Battles and Growth: Establishing Islam in Arabia

The Muslims faced several critical battles in defense of their new community:

  • Battle of Badr (624 CE): Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Muslims won a decisive victory, a clear sign of divine support (Qur’an 3:123). This battle elevated Muslim morale and their standing in Arabia.

  • Battle of Uhud (625 CE): The Muslims faced a setback due to disobedience in battle, teaching important lessons in unity and discipline.

  • Battle of the Trench (627 CE): A siege on Medina by a confederation of Quraysh and their allies was repelled through strategic defense, weakening Quraysh’s military influence.

  • Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (628 CE): This landmark peace treaty with Quraysh allowed Muslims to perform pilgrimage the following year and opened avenues for peaceful propagation of Islam.

The Conquest of Mecca: Triumph and Mercy

In 630 CE, after Quraysh violated the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, Muhammad ﷺ led a large force to Mecca. The conquest was largely peaceful; the Prophet ﷺ declared general amnesty for many former enemies, exemplifying mercy.

He purified the Ka‘bah by removing idols, restoring it as the sacred center of monotheistic worship (Qur’an 22:26). Many Quraysh leaders embraced Islam, bringing the Arabian Peninsula under unified Islamic rule.

The Farewell Pilgrimage and Final Message

In 632 CE, Muhammad ﷺ performed his only Hajj pilgrimage, known as the Farewell Pilgrimage. At Mount Arafat, he delivered a profound sermon emphasizing:

  • The equality of all humans, regardless of race or status;

  • The sanctity of life, property, and honor;

  • The necessity of adhering to the Qur’an and Sunnah;

  • The importance of justice, unity, and brotherhood among Muslims.

This sermon reaffirmed Islam’s message of peace, justice, and community, and emphasized the completion of the divine revelation.

The Passing of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and His Enduring Legacy

Shortly after the pilgrimage, the Prophet ﷺ fell ill and passed away in Medina in 632 CE. His death marked the end of direct prophetic revelation but the beginning of a new chapter for Islam.

His companions selected Abu Bakr as the first Caliph, ensuring continuity in leadership. The Islamic community continued to grow, spreading the message of submission to Allah across continents.

Conclusion: The Eternal Impact of Islam’s Reestablishment

The life and mission of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, beginning with the first revelation and culminating in the establishment of a just and moral society, represent the reestablishment of Islam — the original monotheistic faith for all humanity.

The Qur’an, preserved in its original form, continues to guide billions, while the unity of the Muslim Ummah (community) is a testament to the enduring strength of submission to Allah.

Islam’s story from 610 to 632 AD is one of faith, perseverance, mercy, and transformation — a message that continues to inspire and shape the world today.

Note to Readers

If you believe this portrayal of Islam’s reestablishment differs from authentic Islamic teachings, please share your perspective referencing the Qur’an, Sahih Hadith, or respected scholarly works. This blog seeks to promote respectful, informed dialogue that honors Islam’s true narrative.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Problematic Elevation of Hadith Over the Qur’an: A Critical Polemic Response to “Why Do Islamic Scholars Sometimes Prioritize Hadith Over Qur’anic Verses?” Introduction: The Qur’an or the Hadith — Which Truly Commands Authority? Islamic scholarship claims the Qur’an is the ultimate, unaltered word of God. Yet, the very same scholars often insist that hadith—the human-recorded sayings and actions of Muhammad—sometimes override or clarify the Qur’an itself. This contradictory stance raises serious questions about textual integrity, theological consistency, and the real source of Islamic law and morality. If the Qur’an is “the Book about which there is no doubt” (Qur’an 2:2), why do we find thousands of rulings and laws being sourced primarily from hadith, often at the expense of clear Qur’anic principles? This post critically examines the logic, consequences, and hidden assumptions behind this practice. 1. The Qur’an’s Primacy Is Undermined by Overreliance on Hadith While t...
Read more
The Line of Prophets – A Continuation of the Message Isa (Jesus) – The Honored Messiah and Servant of Allah In the Islamic tradition, few prophets occupy as revered and central a place as ʿĪsā ibn Maryam (Jesus, son of Mary) . He is one of the five Ulū al-ʿAzm — the elite messengers distinguished for their endurance and unwavering resolve — along with Nūḥ, Ibrāhīm, Mūsā, and Muḥammad (peace be upon them all). His life, miracles, and eschatological role are discussed across over ninety verses in fifteen different surahs of the Qur’an, and he is referred to by name twenty-five times. Islam presents ʿĪsā not as divine, nor as the Son of God, but as a messenger of Allah , a spirit from Him (rūḥ minhu) , and His word cast upon Mary (kalimatuhu alqāhā ilā Maryam) . He was sent specifically to Banī Isrāʾīl (the Children of Israel) to revive the message of pure tawḥīd (monotheism), to confirm the Torah, and to deliver the Injīl , a scripture filled with light and guidance. A Miraculo...
Read more
  Before Islam: Decoding the Earliest Sources on Muhammad’s Movement Islamic tradition paints a vivid picture: in 610 CE, Muhammad received divine revelations in a Meccan cave, birthing Islam—a fully formed monotheistic faith with scripture, rituals, and law. Yet, the earliest non-Muslim records—Syriac, Greek, and Armenian chronicles from the 7th century—tell a starkly different story. They mention no “Islam,” no “Qur’an,” and no prophet preaching a new creed. Instead, Muhammad’s followers appear as “Hagarenes,” “Ishmaelites,” or “Saracens”—vague monotheists or tribal raiders acting under divine sanction. This evidence challenges the claim of a coherent religion descending from heaven, suggesting a fluid insurgency later mythologized into divine revelation by Abbasid scholars. This post dives into these sources, their context, and their implications, testing Islam’s narrative against the Qur’an’s own standards—proof ( Surah 2:111 ) and consistency ( Surah 4:82 ). The Islamic Narrat...
Read more