The life of Prophet Muhammad


Prophet Muhammad was a man born in Makkah from his pagan father Abdullah, the son of Abdul-Muttalib al-Hashimi, from the Arab tribe of Quraysh, the descendents of Ishmael the son of Prophet Abraham.

Say (O Muhammad): "I am a man like yourselves, and it has been revealed to me that your Lord is One. (Quran 41:6)

And We never sent before you (Muhammad) any of the Messengers but verily they ate food and walked in the markets. (Quran 25:20)

Prophet Muhammad was unable to read or write throughout his life. Before receiving revelation, he had no prior knowledge of religion or any previously sent Message.

He (Allah) it is who sent amonst the illiterate ones a Messenger from amongst themselves... (Quran 62:2)

Revelation from God (in the form of the Quran and Sunna) was transmitted via Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad starting at the age of 40 and ending on his death aged 63 years old.

"... Allah commissioned him (as a Prophet) when he had reached the age of forty years, and he stayed in Makkah for ten years and for ten years in Medina; Allah took him away when he had just reached the age of sixty (63 years), and there had not been twenty white hair in his head and beard." (Hadith)

The Prophet is the most beloved and followed person in the history of mankind.

Ali رضي الله عنه described the Prophet thus:

"He was neither very tall nor excessively short, but was a man of medium size. He had neither very curly nor flowing hair but a mixture of both. He was not obese, he did not have a very round face, but it was so to some extent. He had a reddish-white complexion, he had wide eyes with black pupils and long eyelashes. He had strong joints and shoulder blades, he was not hairy but had some hair on his chest, and the palms of his hands and his feet were calloused. When he walked he raised his feet and walked briskly; when he turned around (to give attention) he did so completely. Between his shoulders was the "Seal of Prophecy" and he was (actually) the seal of the Prophets. He had a finer chest than anyone else, was truer in utterance than anyone else, had the gentlest nature and came from the noblest tribe. Those who saw him suddenly stood in awe of him and those who shared his acquaintanceship loved him dearly. Those who described him said they had never seen anyone like him before or since." (Hadith)

Real belief in the Prophet Muhammad entails loving him more dearly than any other person.

"None of you shall have faith until he loves me more than his father, his children and all of mankind." (Hadith)

Once somebody truly loves Allah, the Prophet Muhammad and Islam, they would never wish to turn away in disbelief.

And you see that the people enter Allah's religion (Islam) in crowds. (Quran 110:2)

When Heraclius (the Ceasar of Christian Byzantine during the time of the Prophetquestioned Abu Sufyan about Islam, he mentioned:

Then I asked you whether his (Muhammad's) followers were increasing or decreasing. You replied that they were increasing, and in fact this is the way of true faith, till it is complete in all respects. I further asked you whether there was anybody, who, after embracing his religion, became displeased and discarded his religion. Your reply was in the negative, and in fact this is (the sign of) true faith, when its delight enters the hearts and mixes with them completely. I asked you whether he had ever betrayed. You replied in the negative and likewise the Apostles never betray either..." (Hadith)

"None will have the sweetness (delight) of Faith until he loves a person and loves him only for Allah's sake, and until it becomes dearer to him to be thrown in the fire than to revert to disbelief after Allah has brought him out of it, and until Allah and His Apostle become dearer to him than anything else." (Hadith)

The Prophet Muhammad has been forgiven for all his sins but feared Allah the most.

The Prophet said: "Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately, and receive good news because one's good deeds will not make him enter Paradise." They asked, "Even you, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "Even I, unless and until Allah bestows His pardon and Mercy on me." (Hadith)

A'isha رضي الله عنها, the wife of the Prophet, said: "The Prophet used to offer prayer at night (for such a long time) that his feet used to crack. I (his wife) said, 'O Apostle of Allah! Why do you do it since Allah has forgiven you your faults of the past and those to follow?' He said, 'Shouldn't I love to be a thankful slave (of Allah)?'" (Hadith)

He is the ultimate role model in all aspects for human beings to follow as an example of what God loves for Mankind to be like.

Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah you have an excellent example to follow for him who hopes in (the meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day and remembers Allaah much. (Quran 33:21)

"The Prophet used to visit all his wives in a round, during the day and night and they were eleven in number." (Hadith)

He cared compassionately for his followers and prayed and will pray to Allah on their behalf.

Verily the Apostle of Allahrecited the Words of Allah, the Great and Glorious, that Abraham عليه السلام uttered. "O My Lord! They have indeed led many of mankind astray. But whoso follows me, then he verily is of me. (Quran 14:36)

And Jesus عليه السلام said:

If You punish them, they are Your slaves, and if You forgive them, verily You, Only You, are the All-Mighty the All-Wise. (Quran 5:118)

Heraised his hands and said: "O Lord, my umma, my umma!" and wept. So Allah, the High and the Exalted, said: "O Gabriel, go to Muhammad (though your Lord knows it fully well) and ask him: "What makes you weep?" So the Angel Gabriel came to him and asked him, and the Messenger of Allah informed him what he had said (though Allah knew it fully well). Upon this Allah said: "O Gabriel, go to Muhammad and say: "Verily We will please you with regard to your Ummah and would not displease you." (Hadith)

Anyone alive today is living in the era of Muhammad and must testify their belief (or their denial) in Prophet Muhammad when the Angels question them in their graves when they die.

"When a Muslim is questioned in his grave, he will testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle, and that is what is meant by Allah's Statement: Allah will keep firm those who believe with a Word that stands firm in this world and in the Hereafter. (Quran 14.27) (Hadith)