Skip to content

Lesson 3 of 3

Who was Muhammad

4 min read

Muhammad, peace be upon him, was born in Makkah around 570 CE. Muslims believe he is the last messenger of God.

Known as the Trustworthy

Before he was a prophet

  • An orphan

    His father died before he was born and his mother when he was about six.

  • A shepherd

    As a young man he tended sheep, then worked in trade.

  • Al-Amin

    People of Makkah called him al-Amin, the Trustworthy, and left their valuables with him.

  • A family man

    At about 25 he married Khadijah, a respected businesswoman.

The first revelation

At about 40, he was praying alone in the Cave of Hira, a mountain cave near Makkah. Muslims believe the angel Gabriel came to him with the first words of the Quran:

Recite in the name of your Lord who created, created man from a clinging substance. Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous, who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.

Quran 96:1-5 (Saheeh International translation)

What happened next

  1. Fear

    He returned home trembling and said, "Cover me!"

  2. Khadijah

    His wife comforted him with her trust in his character.

  3. Waraqah

    Her cousin Waraqah, a Christian elder who knew the Scriptures, said this was the same angel who came to Moses.

Khadijah knew him best. She said:

No, by Allah, Allah will never fail you. Verily, you maintain kinship ties, help those in need, support the destitute, provide the guests with food and shelter, and assist those affected by calamities.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3 and Sahih Muslim 160 (agreed upon)

A mercy to the worlds

And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.

Quran 21:107 (Saheeh International translation)

The Prophet taught kindness to children, family, neighbors, and animals, even toward those who harmed him.

Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy!

Sahih al-Bukhari 5997 and Sahih Muslim 2318 (agreed upon)

His character in the Quran

And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

Quran 68:4 (Saheeh International translation)

The final messenger

Muslims believe Muhammad did not start something new. He completed the line of prophets before him, and no prophet comes after him.

Muhammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allah and last of the prophets. And ever is Allah, of all things, Knowing.

Quran 33:40 (Saheeh International translation)

His life in short

  1. About 570

    Born in Makkah.

  2. About 595

    Married Khadijah.

  3. About 610

    The first revelation in the Cave of Hira.

  4. 610 to 622

    He called people to worship God alone in Makkah, and many opposed him.

  5. 622

    Migrated to Madinah (the Hijrah), where the Muslim community was established.

  6. 632

    Passed away in Madinah.

Remember

Muslims love Muhammad and follow his example, but they do not worship him. Worship is for God alone, the same message every prophet brought.

Sources (6)

Keep going

Up next: What is the Quran?

Step 3: The Quran, 5 min

Continue
Take the knowledge check

Create a free account to save your progress.

Was this helpful?