Muhammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh
Muhammad ibn ʿAbd Allāh (Arabic: محمد بن عبد الله) Prophet of Islam (c. 570 – 632 CE) is regarded by Muslims as the final prophet and messenger of God (Allah). Muslims believe that he received and conveyed the Qur'an, Islam’s sacred scripture, through divine revelation delivered by the angel Gabriel (Jibrīl) (Esposito, 2023).[1] Across all Islamic traditions, including Sunni and Shia Islam, Muhammad is honored as al-Nabī (the Prophet) and Rasūl Allāh (the Messenger of God) (Britannica, 2023).[2]
Muslims customarily invoke blessings upon him when his name is mentioned, saying “peace and blessings be upon him” (ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), a practice known as Salawat (Islamicity, 2024).[3]
Early life and lineage
Muhammad was born around 570 CE in Mecca, in the western Arabian Peninsula (Esposito, 2023).[4] He belonged to the Quraysh tribe, which held custodianship of the Kaʿbah (Donner, 2010).[5]
His father died before his birth, and his mother Aminah bint Wahb died during his childhood. He was raised by his grandfather ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib and later by his uncle Abū Ṭālib (Britannica, 2023).[6]
Muhammad earned the title al-Amīn (“the Trustworthy”) due to his reputation for honesty and integrity (Islamic Info Center, 2024).[7]
Marriage
At approximately 25 years of age, Muhammad married Khadija bint Khuwaylid, a respected merchant of Mecca (Britannica, 2023).[8] She was the first person to believe in his prophethood, a fact acknowledged across Islamic traditions (Islamicity, 2024).[9]
Beginning of revelation
At the age of 40, Muhammad began receiving revelations while meditating in the Cave of Ḥirāʾ near Mecca (Esposito, 2023).[10] These revelations continued for approximately 23 years and were later compiled into the Qur'an (Donner, 2010).[11]
The message emphasized monotheism (Tawḥīd), moral accountability, social justice, and care for the poor and marginalized (Islamic Info Center, 2024).[12]
Hijrah (Migration to Medina)
In 622 CE, Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina, an event known as the Hijrah and the starting point of the Islamic calendar (Britannica, 2023).[13]
In Medina, Muhammad established a unified community (Ummah) and instituted the Constitution of Medina, which defined rights and responsibilities among Muslims and non-Muslims (Donner, 2010).[14]
Conquest of Mecca
In 630 CE, Muhammad returned to Mecca, which was taken with minimal violence. He declared a general amnesty and removed idols from the Kaʿbah, restoring it as a center of monotheistic worship (Britannica, 2023).[15]
Farewell Pilgrimage and Sermon
In 632 CE, Muhammad performed the Farewell Pilgrimage during the Hajj. During this pilgrimage, he delivered the Farewell Sermon, emphasizing equality, justice, and moral responsibility (Wikipedia, 2024).[16]
Death
Muhammad died later in 632 CE in Medina, marking the end of prophethood in Islam (Esposito, 2023).[17]
Legacy and unity
Muhammad remains a central unifying figure in Islam. All Muslims affirm his prophethood, revere the Qur’an he conveyed, honor his family and companions, and follow the foundational practices he taught (Islamicity, 2024).[18]
The Qur’an calls believers to unity: “Hold firmly to the rope of God all together and do not become divided” (Qur'an 3:103).
References
- ↑ Esposito, J. L. (2023). Muhammad. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023). Islam: Muhammad. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam/Muhammad
- ↑ Islamicity. (2024). Prophet Muhammad (S). https://www.islamicity.org/topics/prophet-muhammad/
- ↑ Esposito, J. L. (2023). Muhammad. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad
- ↑ Donner, F. M. (2010). Muhammad and the Believers. Harvard University Press.
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023). Muhammad: Early life. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad/Early-life
- ↑ Islamic Info Center. (2024). The Prophet Muhammad (SA). https://islamicinfocenter.com/the-prophet-muhammad/
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023). Khadijah. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Khadijah
- ↑ Islamicity. (2024). Prophet Muhammad (S). https://www.islamicity.org/topics/prophet-muhammad/
- ↑ Esposito, J. L. (2023). Muhammad. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad
- ↑ Donner, F. M. (2010). Muhammad and the Believers. Harvard University Press.
- ↑ Islamic Info Center. (2024). The Prophet Muhammad (SA). https://islamicinfocenter.com/the-prophet-muhammad/
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023). Hijrah. https://www.britannica.com/event/Hijrah
- ↑ Donner, F. M. (2010). Muhammad and the Believers. Harvard University Press.
- ↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023). Muhammad: Conquest of Mecca. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad/The-conquest-of-Mecca
- ↑ Wikipedia. (2024). Farewell Sermon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farewell_Sermon
- ↑ Esposito, J. L. (2023). Muhammad. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad
- ↑ Islamicity. (2024). Prophet Muhammad (S). https://www.islamicity.org/topics/prophet-muhammad/