Who is Prophet Muhammad? His life and place in Islam

What was Prophet Muhammad’s life like?

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in Makkah in 571, into the Banu Hashim family of the Quraysh tribe. His father Abdullah died before he was born and his mother Amina when he was six. He was raised first by his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib and then by his uncle Abu Talib.

As a young man he was known for his honesty; the people of Makkah called him al-Amīn (the trustworthy). At 25 he married Khadijah. At 40, in the Cave of Hira, the first revelation came through the angel Gabriel: “Read! In the name of your Lord who created” (Surah al-‘Alaq).

For 13 years in Makkah he called people to believe in one God; because of severe persecution he migrated to Madinah in 622. There he built a community, peacefully entered Makkah in 630 and passed away in Madinah in 632, shortly after the Farewell Pilgrimage. His grave is inside the Prophet’s Mosque today.

What is Prophet Muhammad’s place in Islam?

For Muslims, Prophet Muhammad is the last in the line of prophets that began with Adam. The Qur’an says: “Muhammad is… the Messenger of God and the Seal of the Prophets” (Surah al-Ahzab 33:40). The Qur’an he brought is regarded as God’s final book.

• The testimony of faith: to become Muslim, one bears witness that “there is no god but God and Muhammad is His servant and messenger”.
• The Sunnah: his words, actions and approvals are the second main source of Islam after the Qur’an. Many acts of worship, such as how to pray, are learned from his example.
• Love and respect: when his name is mentioned, Muslims say “ṣallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam” (peace and blessings of God be upon him), often written ﷺ or PBUH.

In Islam, Prophet Muhammad is a human being and a servant of God; he is not worshipped. Worship is for God alone. Read more in Who is Allah in Islam?

What was Prophet Muhammad’s character like?

The Qur’an says: “We have not sent you except as a mercy to all the worlds” (Surah al-Anbiya 21:107) and “You are truly of an excellent character” (Surah al-Qalam 68:4). Some of the qualities described in hadith:

• He was very tender with children; he carried his grandsons Hasan and Husayn on his shoulders and lengthened his prostration when they climbed on his back during prayer.
• He helped his family at home and did his own chores.
• He taught kindness to neighbours, orphans, the elderly and animals.
• He said: “The best of you are those who are best to their families.”

That is why, for Muslim families, he is also the role model for family life.

Where are Prophet Muhammad’s relics in Istanbul?

For Muslims who want to see relics of the Prophet ﷺ, Istanbul is one of the most important cities in the world:

• Topkapı Palace, Sacred Relics section: the Holy Mantle (Hırka-i Saadet), hair from his beard, his seal, banner, swords and letters are kept here. The Qur’an is recited in the rooms all day. It is right behind Hagia Sophia.
• Hırka-i Şerif Mosque (Fatih): a cloak that, according to tradition, the Prophet gave to Uways al-Qarani is kept here and opened to visitors every Ramadan.
• Eyüp Sultan Mosque and Tomb: the grave of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, the companion who hosted the Prophet in his home in Madinah after the Hijra.

To visit the companions’ graves in one day, see our Sahaba route in Istanbul, and for a stopover after Umrah see Istanbul stopover after Umrah.