Question
When exactly was the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ born, and when did he pass away? I’ve come across multiple dates in books and online, so which ones are considered the most reliable?
Bottom Line
The exact day of the Prophet’s ﷺ birth is not unanimously agreed upon
Quick Answer
Birth: Year of the Elephant, most likely 8–12 Rabeeʿ al-Awwal, 571 CE.
Death: 12 Rabeeʿ al-Awwal 11 AH, Monday (most reports).
Key Takeaway
- The year of birth is certain: the Year of the Elephant. The exact day is debated, with 8–12 Rabeeʿ al-Awwal as the strongest range.
- Some modern astronomical studies place his birth on Monday, 9th Rabeeʿ al-Awwal (20 April 571 CE).
- There is no doubt about the year and month of his death, 11 AH, Rabeeʿ al-Awwal, though the day is debated.
- The majority of historians say he passed away on 12th Rabeeʿ al-Awwal, Monday.
Detailed Answer
Birth: The Prophet ﷺ was born in Makkah in the Year of the Elephant. The most reliable range is between the 8th and 12th of Rabeeʿ al-Awwal, with some scholars identifying Monday, 9th Rabeeʿ al-Awwal (20 April 571 CE).
Death: He ﷺ passed away in Rabeeʿ al-Awwal, 11 AH, on a Monday. The majority say the 12th, while some reports suggest the 1st or 2nd.
Why Scholars Differ on His Birth Date
The Prophet ﷺ was not born into fame. At his birth, he was like any other newborn. It was only after prophethood that Muslims began piecing together accounts of his life. That explains why exact details about his early years vary.
Dr. Muhammad at-Tayyib an-Najjar noted, “No one expected this child to reach such a status, so his birth wasn’t documented like royalty. When revelation came, Muslims began collecting every memory they could about his life.”
The Year of the Elephant
All scholars agree: the Prophet ﷺ was born in the Year of the Elephant, the same year Abraha’s army attempted to attack the Kaʿbah. Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Kathir, and later historians described consensus on this. Modern research equates this with 570–571 CE.
The Day of the Week
Muslim scholars agree he was born on a Monday. The Prophet ﷺ himself confirmed this when asked about fasting on Mondays:
“That is the day on which I was born, and on it revelation came to me.”
The Date Debate
2 Rabeeʿ al-Awwal: Reported by al-Waqidi, though weak.
8 Rabeeʿ al-Awwal: Attributed to Ibn Hazm and al-Zuhri; regarded as strong by some historians.
9 Rabeeʿ al-Awwal: Astronomical calculations by Mahmoud Pasha (d. 1885 CE) and supported by modern biographers like al-Mubarakfuri. This corresponds to 20 April 571 CE.
12 Rabeeʿ al-Awwal: The most widespread opinion, narrated by Ibn Ishaq and widely quoted. Many Muslims know this date, though scholars point out it is not definitive.
His Passing ﷺ
Year: 11 AH, no dispute.
Month: Rabeeʿ al-Awwal, no dispute.
Day of the week: Monday, by consensus.
Exact date: Majority say 12th Rabeeʿ al-Awwal. A minority (as-Suhayli, Ibn Hajar) favored the 1st or 2nd. Ibn Qutaybah’s claim of Wednesday is explained as the burial date, not the death.
The most widely accepted view: the Prophet ﷺ passed away on Monday, 12th Rabeeʿ al-Awwal, 11 AH.
Common Misconceptions
“The Prophet ﷺ was definitely born on 12 Rabeeʿ al-Awwal.”
While this is the most popular date, it is not certain. Early historians offered several possibilities between the 8th and 12th.
“We know his birthday like we know his death date.”
His death date is well-attested. His birth date is not. The difference lies in documentation: his passing was a historic communal event, while his birth was not widely recorded.
“If scholars differ, the exact date doesn’t matter.”
The exact day may be debated, but the agreed year, month, and significance of the Year of the Elephant, in Rabeeʿ al-Awwal, remain undisputed. This balance preserves history without turning it into ritual.
What This Means for You
The Prophet ﷺ did not ask us to mark his birthday or death as rituals. What matters is living by his Sunnah daily. Knowing the dates helps us appreciate history, but true honor is following his teachings.
And Allah knows best.
References
Primary Sources
Qur’an
- Al-Ahzab 33:21: The Prophet ﷺ is the best example for you.
Hadith
- Sahih Muslim 1162: Fasting Mondays because it is the day of his birth and revelation.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 631: “Pray as you have seen me praying.”
Secondary Sources
- Ibn Kathir, As-Seerah an-Nabawiyyah, vol. 1, p. 199.
- Ibn al-Qayyim, Zad al-Maʿad, 1/76.
- as-Suhayli, Ar-Rawd al-Unuf*, 1/282; 4/439–440.
- Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari, 8/130.
- Safi al-Rahman al-Mubarakfuri, Ar-Raheeq al-Makhtum, p. 41.
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