Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: An Introduction

Introduction

Muhammad ibn Abdullah (محمد بن عبد الله) ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him) is the final prophet and messenger of ALLAH, sent to all of humanity with the final divine message: Islam.

He was born in Mecca, in the Arabian Peninsula, around 570 CE, and died in Medina in 632 CE. In 63 years, he transformed Arabia — and ultimately the world — from polytheism and social corruption to a civilization built on Tawheed, justice, and mercy.

Early Life: The Trustworthy One

Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him) was born into the noble tribe of Quraysh. His father, Abdullah, died before his birth. His mother, Aminah, died when he was around six years old. He was raised first by his grandfather Abdul-Muttalib, then by his uncle Abu Talib.

From a young age, he was known among his people as Al-Amin (الأمين) — "The Trustworthy" — and Al-Sadiq — "The Truthful." Even those who later opposed his message acknowledged his honesty.

He worked as a merchant and earned a reputation for fairness and integrity. At the age of 25, he married Khadijah (رضي الله عنها), a respected businesswoman who was 15 years his senior. Their marriage was one of deep love and partnership.

The First Revelation (610 CE)

At the age of 40, while meditating in the Cave of Hira (غار حراء) above Mecca, the Angel Jibreel appeared and commanded: "Read!"

Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him) replied that he could not read. Jibreel embraced him three times, then revealed the first words of the Quran:

Shaken and terrified, he returned home to Khadijah, who wrapped him in a cloak and comforted him. She was the first person to believe in his prophethood. This marked the beginning of a 23-year mission that would change the world forever.

The Mission: Calling to Tawheed

The core of the Prophet's ﷺ message was identical to every prophet before him: worship ALLAH alone and abandon all false objects of worship.

For the first 13 years in Mecca, he called his people to Islam. The response was fierce persecution — especially of the most vulnerable: the poor, the enslaved, and those without tribal protection. The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions endured boycotts, physical torture, and exile.

Despite this, the message spread. The Companions who accepted Islam during these early years were among the most steadfast believers in Islamic history.

The Migration to Medina (Hijrah, 622 CE)

In 622 CE, following a divine command and an invitation from the people of Yathrib (later renamed Medina), the Prophet ﷺ migrated with his Companions from Mecca to Medina. This Hijrah marks Year 1 of the Islamic calendar.

In Medina, he established the first Muslim community — a model of governance, brotherhood, and justice. He built the first mosque, arbitrated disputes between tribes, and created a charter of rights for all residents of the city.

His Character: A Living Example

Among his most celebrated qualities:

• Mercy — He was sent as a mercy to all of creation. Even in conquest, he forgave and showed compassion.
• Justice — He held himself, his family, and his Companions to the same standards as anyone else.
• Humility — He mended his own clothes, milked his goat, and sat with the poor as he sat with leaders.
• Patience — He endured the death of six children, decades of persecution, and immense personal loss — always with trust in ALLAH.
• Generosity — He never turned away someone who asked of him.

The Final Sermon and Death

In 632 CE, the Prophet ﷺ delivered his Farewell Sermon (Khutbat al-Wada') to over 100,000 people on the plains of Arafat. He summarized the principles of Islam: the sanctity of life, the equality of all races, the rights of women, the prohibition of usury and injustice.

He concluded: "O ALLAH, have I conveyed the message?" The crowds answered: "Yes!" He said: "O ALLAH, be my witness."

He died later that year in Medina, at the age of 63.

The Seal of the Prophets

Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him) is the final prophet. There is no prophet or messenger after him.

The Quran is the final divine revelation. The Prophet's ﷺ example (Sunnah) — preserved in the collections of hadith — is the second source of Islamic guidance.

Why He Matters to Every Human Being

The Prophet ﷺ was not sent for one nation or one era. He was sent to all of humanity until the Day of Judgment.

His message — that there is one God who created us for a purpose, that this life is a test, and that justice and mercy are the foundations of a good society — is as relevant today as it was 1,400 years ago.

References

Quran

• Quran 96:1–3 — The first revelation to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Peace Be Upon Him)
• Quran 68:4 — "You are of a great moral character"
• Quran 33:40 — The Prophet ﷺ as the Seal of the Prophets
• Quran 21:107 — "A mercy to the worlds"

Hadith

• Sahih Muslim, narrated by Aisha (رضي الله عنها) — "His character was the Quran"

Further Reading

• Safi ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum (The Sealed Nectar) — comprehensive Seerah
• Martin Lings, Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources — widely read English Seerah