A brief timeline
- About 570 CE: born in Makkah; raised as an orphan under his grandfather and uncle.
- 610 CE: revelation begins in the cave of Hira.
- 622 CE: the migration to Madinah, the start of the Hijri calendar.
- 630 CE: the opening of Makkah and general amnesty.
- 632 CE: passing after the Farewell Pilgrimage.
See the full page “Who is Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?” for more detail.
A mercy to the worlds
وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَٰكَ إِلَّا رَحۡمَةٗ لِّلۡعَٰلَمِينَAnd We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.
وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٖAnd indeed, you are of a great moral character.
His character
إِنَّمَا بُعِثْتُ لِأُتَمِّمَ صَالِحَ الْأَخْلَاقِI was sent only to perfect good character.
The seal of the prophets
مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَآ أَحَدٖ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمۡ وَلَٰكِن رَّسُولَ ٱللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيۡءٍ عَلِيمٗاMuḥammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allāh and seal [i.e., last] of the prophets. And ever is Allāh, of all things, Knowing.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Muslims say “peace be upon him”?
As love, respect and a prayer for him, following God’s command to send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ; Muslims say it for all prophets as well.
Was Muhammad illiterate?
Yes, he is described as the unlettered prophet, which Muslims see as a sign the Quran is revelation, not his composition.
Texts and translations are under scholarly review.