Who Is Muhammad ﷺ?

Muhammad ﷺ is the prophet of Islam and God's final and greatest messenger to mankind, sent to perfect the same message preached by earlier prophets such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus — peace be upon them all.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in the holy city of Mecca in the year 570 CE to a family known for its distinguished purity and nobility amongst the tribes and families of Arabia.

His father, Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, passed away months before his birth, and his mother, Aminah bint Wahab, passed away when he was only six years old. Two years later, his guardian — his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib — also passed away. He spent the rest of his upbringing under the guardianship of his uncle, Abu Talib, who raised him like his own son and better.

In addition to being orphaned by both parents by the age of six, Muhammad ﷺ grew up in a challenging society. Pre-Islamic Arabia was engulfed in idol-worshipping, tribalism, feudalism, and backward practices. The economic crises resulting from exploitation by the ruling class and usurers had robbed human life of its meaning. Plunder, robbery, and savagery were rampant. Before Islam, daughters were considered a bad omen and source of disgrace — many were innocently killed or buried alive.

It was in this society that the Prophet grew up. However, he never followed the habits and customs of the idol-worshippers around him. He never lied, stole, or behaved treacherously. He always acted with dignity and care.

These qualities won the affection of the Arabs and he became known as 'Muhammad the Truthful, the Trustworthy' (al-Sadiq al-Amin). The Arabs would entrust their precious belongings with Muhammad before embarking on their travels. Remarkably, he was never seen reading a book, writing a single letter, or learning from any teacher.

Muhammad ﷺ would spend a great deal of time in solitude, worshipping God. He would spend a month in a cave called Hira' in the mountains, worshipping God there.

By the age of forty, while in the Cave of Hira', his prophetic mission commenced with the first verses of the Quran revealed to him through the Archangel Jibril (Gabriel):

His prophetic mission spanned nearly twenty-three years — the first thirteen of which were spent in Mecca. The early Muslims faced extremely difficult circumstances: persecution by the polytheists, boycotts, and starvation.

After thirteen years of preaching in Mecca, he emigrated to Medina and established an ever-expanding community of believers.

His greatest miracle is the unparalleled miracle of the Holy Quran. Consider a man living in an environment far from knowledge and culture, an orphan who lost both parents at a young age, who never attended a class or wrote a single letter.

It was in such circumstances that the Holy Prophet brought forth a melodic text with rich content — constructing a comprehensive system of life, bringing forth answers and guidance on topics of beliefs, jurisprudence, legislation, stories and lessons of prophets, morals, human rights, marital and family affairs, society, and more.

Within twenty-three years of striving and perseverance, the pre-Islamic Age of Ignorance ended, and the polytheistic society of Arabia was transformed into a monotheistic society at the hands of the Prophet ﷺ.

By the end of the Prophet's life, almost everyone in the Arabian Peninsula had embraced Islam. The number of Muslims has continued to grow ever since. Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ life continues to inspire billions, and Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world today.

Love for your brother what you love for yourself.

— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

You are all from Adam, and Adam was from dust. There is no difference between an Arab and a non-Arab except in piety.

— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Treat women with goodness.

— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best of you to my family.

— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers.

— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The most beloved of deeds to God is dutifulness to parents.

— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.

— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

The best of you are those with the best character — those who are friendly and make others feel welcome.

— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ