Muhammad (also spelled Muhammed or Mohammed), is considered the last prophet by the Islamic holy book, the Qur'an as interpreted by most Muslims.[1]
| Lineage of several prophets according to Islamic tradition |
|---|
| Dotted lines indicate multiple generations. |
| Part of a series on |
| Islam |
|---|
 |
| Part of a series on |
| Muhammad |
|---|
Muslims believe that Muhammad is a messenger (rasul in Arabic) and prophet of God. He is also acknowledged as the last of Islam's prophets, including Adam (Adam), Nuh (Noah), Ibrāhīm (Abraham), Dawood (David), Musa (Moses), 'Isa (Jesus), and others.The family tree of all these prophets are shown right. Some Islamic scholars argue that Muhammad was foretold in the Bible.[2]
Although some Western references like Catholic Encyclopedia regard Muhammad as the founder of Islam,[3] Muslims believe that monotheistic faith was not created by a human but it was finally revealed by God to Muhammad.
Muslims do not worship Muhammad, due to the belief in the Oneness of God as stated in the Shahada. In addition, Muslims see him as a human being and not as a God or angel.
Muslims must follow Islamic prophet Muhammad, according to this verse from the Qur'an
O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination. .
|
Main article: Wahy |
According to Islamic tradition, when the angel Gabriel appeared to him at the Cave of Hira, the Qur'an, began to be revealed to him. His wife, Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, encouraged him to describe the events that happened in the cave, and convinced him that he was chosen as a prophet.[5] The revelation of the Qur'an from God to Muhammad orally, through Gabriel, was finished after approximately twenty-three years.
Other than Qur'an, Hadith, narrations originating from the words and deeds of the Islamic prophet Muhammad is an important part of Islam. Muslims do not believe in Hadith as Divine Revelation, however they follow the Hadiths as Mohammad's teachings, as there is no distinction between Muhammad's teachings and to surrender to one God in Islam.[citation needed].
|
Main article: Miracles of Muhammad |
Muslims believe the Qur'an is the living miracle given to Muhammad by God, as the collection of the works which all are written in rhyme and meter, was revealed to an illiterate man. Some Muslims believe that there are other miracles of Muhammad. For example, some Muslim commentators and some Western scholars have interpreted the Sura Al-Qamar[6] as referring to Muhammad splitting the Moon in view of the Quraysh when they began persecuting his followers.[7] See miracles of Muhammad
|
Main article: Muhammad's wives |
He married Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Sawda bint Zama, Aisha bint Abi Bakr, Hafsa bint Umar, Zaynab bint Khuzayma, Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya, Rayhāna bint Zayd ibn ʿAmr (disputed), Zaynab bint Jahsh, Juwayriya bint al-Harith, Ramlah bint Abi Sufyan, Safiyya bint Huyayy, Maymuna bint al-Harith and Maria al-Qibtiyya. Muslims see the wives of Muhammad as Mothers of the Believers.
|
See also: The Farewell Sermon |
After the Qur'an was completed, Muhammad died on 8 June 632. Just before the death, there was a group of companions of Muhammad near him when Muhammad asks that he wants to write a will and hence requires a pen and paper. Umar said that Muhammad is seriously ill and his brain is not working fully. Abu Bakr also agreed on that. When Muhammad heard that, he ordered both to leave the room. Umar was full of grief upon hearing the news of demise of Muhammad. Umar, the devoted disciple, could not accept the reality that the "Messenger of God" has died.[8] According to the Qur'an, "Muhammad is but a messenger; messengers have passed away before", i.e. died or killed. It is said that Umar promised to strike the head of any man who would say that Muhammad died. At this point Abu Bakr is reported to have come out to the Muslim community and gave his famous speech which included:
"Whoever worshipped Muhammad, let them know that Muhammad is dead, and whoever worshipped Allah, let them know that Allah is alive and never dies."
Abū Bakr then recited these verses from the Qur'an:
"Muhammad is but a messenger; messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. If, then, he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heel?".
Hearing this from Abu Bakr, the most senior disciple of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, Umar then fell down on his knees in great sense of sorrow and acceptance of the reality. Sunni Muslims say that this denial of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم death was occasioned by his deep love for him.[8]
He was buried in Medina in his house now the Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Prophet's Mosque).[citation needed]
|
See also: Islamic honorifics, Durood, Mawlid, Naat, Madih nabawi, and Dala'il al-Khayrat |
When speaking or writing, Muhammad's name is often followed by the phrase "peace be upon him," (in English often abbreviated to PBUH or simply "(p)"), since Muhammad is so esteemed by Muslims.[10]
Muhammad is often referenced with these titles of praise:
He also has these names:
In Turkey, he is often called Hz. Muhammed or "Peygamber Efendimiz". [17]
|
Further information: Prophethood (Ahmadiyya) |
In Ahmadiyya Islam, Muhammad is not considered the last prophet in the literal sense of the word but the prophet who bought the final law to mankind (last-law bearing prophet).
Sufis believe that Muhammad is alive with the power of invisibility; his spirit pervades the world and can be reached by true seekers.[18][19]
Sunnis believe in the prophethood of Muhammad like all Muslims.
In Shia'ism, Muhammad is free from sins as the doctrine of sinlessness called [Ismah] (Arabic: عِصْمَة, Persian: ِعصمت) states. This doctrine literally means 'protection' and is generally translated as "sinlessness". Protection is believed to be of three types of "Protection from mistake in receiving the revelation from Allah", "Protection from mistake in conveying the revelation of Allah" and "Protection from sins." It is believed that all the prophets in Islam, Fatima, and the twelve descendants of Muhammad(Twelvers. Ismailis believe the line is still going on, and are on the 49th imam, Aga Khan IV ) through Fatima are sinless.[20]
The Twelver Shi'a teaches that Muhammad, Fatima together with the twelve descendants of Muhammad through Fatima are purified by God (See the Event of the Cloak). They are commonly called The Fourteen Infallibles. Though The Fourteen Infallibles are human being and may be tempted by Satan towards sin, it is believed that they will be helped by God to overcome Satan's temptations. The following verse of Qur'an is sometimes cited to prove this position.
(Iblis) said: "O my Lord! because Thou hast put me in the wrong, I will make (wrong) fair-seeming to them on the earth, and I will put them all in the wrong,-
"Except Thy servants among them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace)."
|
See also: Islam and blasphemy |
Criticism of Muhammad is often equated with blasphemy, which is punishable by death in some Islamic states.
Pakistan is frequently in the news for prosecutions under its blasphemy law. If the courts decline to act, angry crowds have been known to lynch the suspected blasphemer.[22]
In 2005 a Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, printed some controversial cartoons, a few of which were interpreted as insulting Muhammad and Islam. Some countries -- Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iraq among them—protested the Danish government for not taking action against the newspaper. The Danish government responded by asserting that it does not control the media.
|
Main articles: Depictions of Muhammad, Depictions of Muhammad in film, and List of films about Muhammad |
While most of Islam was predominantly aniconistic during most of its history, there are rich traditions of visual representation of Muhammad, mainly in the form of paintings and illustrations in religious or hagiographical texts. Religious figures rarely have their face shown. Such figures are often shown with their head veiled in sheets embroidered with Qur'anic text.
