Various Opinions on the Birthdate of Prophet Muhammad

The exact date of Prophet Muhammad's birth is a subject of varying opinions among Islamic scholars, though a widely held view places it on Monday, the 12th of Rabiul Awal. This date is the most popular among Muslims and scholars.

However, alternative perspectives exist. Some scholars suggest the birth occurred on the eighth or tenth of Rabiul Awal, while others point to the night of the 12th. A less common opinion, noted by As Suhaili in his work Ar-Raudh, suggests the Prophet was born in the month of Ramadan, an assertion considered unusual or 'syaadz' (odd).

Regarding the year of birth, the consensus among scholars, including prominent figures like Ibrahim bin Al-Mundzir Al Khuzami (a teacher of Imam Al Bukhari), is that Prophet Muhammad was born in the Year of the Elephant. This significant historical event occurred approximately 50 days before the Prophet's birth, though some accounts suggest 58 days, or even up to 10, 30, or 40 years later. The most accepted view aligns the birth with the Year of the Elephant.

Further details surrounding the Prophet's early life also present differing accounts. Opinions vary on when his father passed away: some believe it was while his mother was pregnant with him, others state it was a few months after his birth, and some suggest two years later. The former opinion is the most widely known. It is also historically documented that Prophet Muhammad was nursed by Halimah As Sa'diyyah of the Bani Sa'ad tribe, where he stayed for about four years during his infancy.