In Islam, Muhammad () is venerated as the Seal of the Prophets who transmitted the eternal word of God () from the angel Gabriel () to humans and jinn.Nasr, Seyyed Hossein, and Mehdi Aminrazavi. An Anthology of Philosophy in Persia, Vol. 2: Ismaili Thought in the Classical Age. Bloomsbury Academic, 2008. p. 258Theuma, Edmund. "Qur'anic exegesis: Muhammad & the Jinn." (1996). Muslims believe that the Quran, the central religious text of Islam, was revealed to Muhammad by God, and that Muhammad was sent to guide people to Islam, which is believed not to be a separate religion, but the unaltered original faith of mankind (), and believed to have been shared by previous prophets including Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.Esposito (2002b), pp. 4–5. The religious, social, and political tenets that Muhammad established with the Quran became the foundation of Islam and the Muslim world.
According to Muslim tradition, Muhammad was sent to the Arabic community to deliver them from their immorality.Hawting, Gerald R. The idea of idolatry and the emergence of Islam: From polemic to history. Cambridge University Press, 1999. p. 2 Receiving his first revelation at age 40 in a cave called Hira in Mecca, he started to preach the oneness of God in order to stamp out idolatry of pre-Islamic Arabia.Shibli Nomani. Sirat-un-Nabi. Vol 1 Lahore. This led to opposition by the Meccans, with Abu Lahab and Abu Jahl as the most famous enemies of Muhammad in Islamic tradition. This led to persecution of Muhammad and his Muslim followers who fled to Medina, an event known as the Hijrah, until Muhammad returned to fight the idolaters of Mecca, culminating in the semi-legendary Battle of Badr, conceived in Islamic tradition not only to be a battle between the Muslims and pre-Islamic polytheists, but also between the angels on Muhammad's side against the jinn and false deities siding with the Meccans. After victory, Muhammad is believed to have cleansed Arabia from polytheism and advised his followers to renounce idolatry for the sake of the unity of God.
As manifestation of God's guidance and example of renouncing idolatry, Muhammad is understood as an exemplary role-model in regards of virtue, spirituality, and moral excellence. His spirituality is considered to be expressed by his journey through the seven heavens (Mi'raj). His behaviour and advice became known as the Sunnah, which forms the practical application of Muhammad's teachings. Muhammad is venerated by several titles and names. As an act of respect and a form of greetings, Muslims follow the name of Muhammad by the Arabic benediction , ('Peace be upon him'),Matt Stefon (2010). Islamic Beliefs and Practices, p. 18 sometimes abbreviated as "SAW" or "PBUH". Muslims often refer to Muhammad as "Prophet Muhammad", or just "The Prophet" or "The Messenger", and regard him as the greatest of all Prophets.
Chronology Some researchers note that in early Islamic primary sources —particularly the Quran itself— as well as 7th-century epigraphic, numismatic, and non-Muslim historical records, the identity and religious significance of Muhammad did not hold the central, exalted, or cosmic position found in later traditions. Rather, the detailed biographical profiles, theological primacy, and spiritual elevation of Muhammad found in secondary sources such as hadith, sīrah, and Quranic exegesis evolved from the late 7th to the 9th centuries. This transformation was an integral part of the construction of a distinct Islamic identity, serving the legal, theological, and imperial state-building needs of the Umayyad and Abbasid periods.
It can be said that proponents of Sufism —in addition to the historical figure of Muhammad and the identity defined in traditional jurisprudence and theology as the Prophet of Islam— added a dimension to him that is entirely unique to their tradition: a "cosmic superhuman being" "situated between the Creator and the created" of a mythological nature, positioned immediately after God. They express this concept —rooted in the belief that God holds him in profound love (Ishq)— through terms such as al-Ḥaqīqah al-Muḥammadiyyah (the Muhammadan Reality) and al-Nūr al-Muḥammadī (the Muhammadan Light), believing that this entity existed prior to the creation of the universe and humanity and will continue to exist thereafter.Biographical encyclopaedia of Sufis N. Hanif 2002 p. 39. Charles A. Frazee, "Ibn al-'Arabī and Spanish Mysticism of the Sixteenth Century", Numen 14 (3), Nov 1967, pp. 229–40.
In the Quran
Muhammad is mentioned by name four times in the Quran.Norman Calder, Jawid Mojaddedi, Andrew Rippin "Classical Islam A sourcebook of religious literature" Routledge Tayor & Francis Group 2003 p. 16 The Quran reveals little about Muhammad's early life or other biographic details, but it talks about his prophetic mission, his moral excellence, and theological issues regarding Muhammad. According to the Quran, Muhammad is the last in a chain of prophets sent by God (). Throughout the Quran, Muhammad is referred to as "Messenger", "Messenger of God", and "Prophet". Other terms are used, including "Warner", "bearer of glad tidings", and the "one who invites people to a Single God" (Q , and ). The Quran asserts that Muhammad was a man who possessed the highest moral excellence, and that God made him a good example or a "goodly model" for Muslims to follow (Q , and ). In several verses, the Quran explains Muhammad's relation to humanity. According to the Quran, God sent Muhammad with truth (God's message to humanity), and as a blessing to the whole world (Q , and ).
According to Islamic tradition, Surah refers to the command of the angel to Muhammad to recite the Quran.Brannon, Wheeler. "Prophets in the Quran: An introduction to the Quran and Muslim exegesis." A&C Black (2002). Surah is believed to be a reference to Muhammad's journey, which tradition elaborates extensively upon, meeting angels and previous prophets in heaven. Surah is seen as a reference to Muhammad and a companion (whom Sunni scholars identify with Abu Bakr) hiding from their Meccan persecutors in a cave.Brend, Barbara. "Figurative Art in Medieval Islam and the Riddle of Bihzād of Herāt (1465–1535). By Michael Barry. p. 308. Paris, Flammarion, 2004." Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society 17.1 (2007): 308. Surah is believed to remind the audience of the foretelling of Muhammad by Jesus. This verse was also used by early Arab Muslims to claim legitimacy for their new faith in the existing religious traditions. p. 128.
Names and titles of praise
Muhammad is often referenced with these titles of praise or epithet:
an-Nabi, 'the Prophet' ar-Rasul, 'the Messenger' al-Habeeb, 'the beloved' al-Muṣṭafa, 'the chosen one' ();Khalidi, T. (2009). Images of Muhammad: Narratives of the Prophet in Islam Across the Centuries. USA: Doubleday. p. 209 al-Amin, 'the trustworthy' () as-Sadiq, 'the honest'() al-Haq, 'the truthful' () ar-Rauf, 'the kind' () 'alā khuluq 'aẓīm (), 'on an exalted standard of character' () al-Insan al-Kamil, 'the perfect man' Uswah Ḥasan (), 'good example' () al-Khatim an-Nabiyin, 'the seal of the prophets' () ar-Rahmatul lil 'alameen, 'mercy of all the worlds' () as-Shaheed, 'the witness' () al-Mubashir, 'the bearer of good tidings' () an-Nathir, 'the warner' () al-Mudhakkir, 'the reminder' () ad-Da'i, 'the one who calls [unto God]' () al-Bashir, 'the announcer' () an-Noor, 'the light personified' () as-Siraj-un-Munir, 'the light-giving lamp' () al-Kareem, 'the noble' () an-Nimatullah, 'the divine favour' () al-Muzzammil, 'the wrapped' () al-Muddathir, 'the shrouded' () al-'Aqib, 'the last [prophet]' (, ) al-Mutawakkil, 'the one who puts his trust [in God]' () al-Kutham, 'the generous one' al-Mahi, 'the eraser [of disbelief]' () al-Muqaffi, 'the one who followed [all other prophets]' an-Nabiyyu at-Tawbah, 'the prophet of penitence' al-Fatih, 'the opener' al-Hashir, 'the gatherer (the first to be resurrected) on the day of judgement' () as-Shafe'e, 'the intercessor' (, , , ) al-Mushaffaun, 'the one whose intercession shall be granted' (, ).
He also has these names: Abu'l-Qasim, "father of Qasim"; Ahmad, "the Praised one" (); Hamid, "praiser"; Mahmood, "praiseworthy"; 'Abd-Allah, "servant of God" ().
Overview In Muslim tradition, Muhammad is believed to have had otherworldly features, such as being physically illuminated. As reported by Bukhari, whenever Muhammad entered darkness, light was shining around him like moonlight.Gruber, Christiane. "Between logos (Kalima) and light (Nūr): representations of the Prophet Muhammad in Islamic painting." Muqarnas, Volume 26. Brill, 2009. 229-262. Muhammad is further described as having a radiant face.Gruber, Christiane. "Between logos (Kalima) and light (Nūr): representations of the Prophet Muhammad in Islamic painting." Muqarnas, Volume 26. Brill, 2009. As such, Muhammad is believed to reflect God's names of "mercy" and "guidance", as opposed to Satan (Iblīs), who reflects "wrath" and "pride".Rustom, Mohammed. "Devil's advocate: ʿAyn al-Quḍāt's defence of Iblis in context." Studia Islamica 115.1 (2020): 87Korangy, Alireza, Hanadi Al-Samman, and Michael Beard, eds. The beloved in Middle Eastern literatures: The culture of love and languishing. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2017. p. 90-96
Though according to tradition, Muhammad has said that he is just an ordinary human, several miracles are said to have been performed by him.A.J. Wensinck, Muʿd̲j̲iza, Encyclopedia of Islam To the Quran statement, as a reminder of Muhammad's human nature "I am only a human being like you", Muslims responded: "True, but like a ruby among stones.", pointing at the outward resemblance of Muhammad to an ordinary human but inwardly carrying the Divine Light.Schimmel, A. (2014). And Muhammad Is His Messenger: The Veneration of the Prophet in Islamic Piety. USA: University of North Carolina Press. chapter 7
In post-Quranic times, some Muslims view Muhammad merely as a warner of God's judgement and not a miracle worker.Brockopp, Jonathan E., ed. The Cambridge Companion to Muhammad. Cambridge University Press, 2010. p. 46 According to one account of Muhammad, the Quran is the only miracle Muhammad has been bestowed with.
Final prophet
Muhammad is regarded as the final messenger and prophet by all the main branches of Islam who was sent by God to guide humanity to the right way (Quran ). The Quran uses the designation Khatam an-Nabiyyin (Surah ) (Arabic:), which is translated as Seal of the Prophets. The title is generally regarded by Muslims as meaning that Muhammad is the last in the series of prophets beginning with Adam. Believing Muhammad is the last prophet is a fundamental belief, shared by both Sunni and Shi'i theology.
Although Muhammad is considered to be the last prophet sent, he is supposed to be the first prophet to be created.Marion Holmes Katz The Birth of The Prophet Muhammad: Devotional Piety in Sunni Islam Routledge 2007 page 13 In Sunni Islam, it is attributed to Al-Tirmidhi, that when Muhammad was asked, when his prophethood started, he answered: "When Adam was between the spirit and the body".Marion Holmes Katz The Birth of The Prophet Muhammad: Devotional Piety in Sunni Islam Routledge 2007 page 13 A more popular but less authenticated version states "when Adam was between water and mud."G. Widengren Historia Religionum, Volume 2 Religions of the Present, Band 2 Brill 1971 page 177 As recorded by Ibn Sa'd, Qatada ibn Di'ama quoted Muhammad: "I was the first human in creation and I am the last one on resurrection".Goldziher, Ignaz. "Neuplatonische und gnostische Elemente im Ḥadῑṯ." (1909): 317-344.