Belief
Who Was the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ? A Short Introduction
A short, clear introduction to the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: his early life, the first revelation, Makkah and Madinah, his character, and why Muslims follow him.
AskDeen4 min read
Muslims mention his name with love many times a day. They send blessings on him in every prayer and try to copy the way he ate, slept, spoke and treated people. If you are new to Islam, getting to know the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is one of the most rewarding things you can do.
This is a short introduction, not a full biography — but it will give you the outline.
What does ﷺ mean?
The symbol ﷺ stands for ṣalla-llāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam, "may Allah send blessings and peace upon him". Muslims say it whenever his name is mentioned. You may also see "SAW" or "PBUH" in English writing. It is a small way of showing respect and love.
Early life in Makkah
Muhammad ﷺ was born in Makkah, in Arabia, around the year 570 CE. His father died before he was born and his mother when he was a young child, so he was raised first by his grandfather and then by his uncle, Abu Talib.
He worked as a shepherd and later as a trader. Long before he became a prophet, the people of Makkah called him al-Amīn — "the trustworthy" — and left their valuables with him. At around 25 he married Khadijah, a respected businesswoman, and their marriage was one of deep love and partnership.
The first revelation
Muhammad ﷺ used to retreat to a cave called Hira on a mountain outside Makkah to reflect. When he was about 40, the angel Jibril (Gabriel) came to him there with the first words of the Qur'an:
He came home shaking, and Khadijah comforted him and was the first to believe in him. Revelation continued for about 23 years, until the Qur'an was complete.
Years of hardship
When he began calling people publicly to worship one God, many of the powerful families of Makkah turned against him. Early Muslims were mocked, boycotted and some were tortured. The Prophet ﷺ himself was insulted and attacked, yet he kept answering harm with patience.
In one well-known moment, after being driven out of the town of Ta'if with stones, he was offered the chance to have its people punished. He refused, hoping instead that their descendants would one day worship Allah.
Madinah and the community
In 622 CE the Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims migrated to the city of Yathrib, later called Madinah. This journey, the Hijrah, marks the start of the Islamic calendar. In Madinah he built a mosque, brought rival tribes together, set up agreements with the city's different communities, and led a growing community through peace and war.
Eventually he returned to Makkah peacefully at the head of a large army and forgave most of those who had fought against him for years. He died in Madinah in 632 CE, at about 63 years old.
His character
Allah describes him in the Qur'an:
His companions described a man who smiled often, mended his own clothes, helped with housework, played with children, visited the sick, and stood up for the poor. He was gentle with people who made mistakes and firm against injustice. The Qur'an calls him a mercy:
Why Muslims follow him
Muslims believe the Prophet ﷺ was a human being, not divine, and Muslims do not worship him. But he was chosen to show how the Qur'an is lived. That is why his teachings and example — the Sunnah — are the second source of Islamic guidance after the Qur'an:
To learn how his words were recorded and checked, see Qur'an, Sunnah and Hadith Explained.
How to get to know him
- Read a short biography (seerah). Many mosques and bookshops have beginner-friendly ones.
- Learn one hadith a week and try to live it.
- Send blessings on him — say Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad — especially on Fridays.
- Notice the small sunnahs: smiling, saying bismillah before eating, greeting people with salam.
How AskDeen can help
Curious about a moment in the Prophet's ﷺ life, or what he taught about kindness, family or hardship? Ask AskDeen and get a clear answer with the Qur'an verses and authentic hadith it rests on, each linked so you can read the source yourself. In the app's hadith library you can browse authentic narrations by topic and tap "Ask about this" on any one of them.
Getting to know the Prophet ﷺ changes how you pray, speak and treat people. AskDeen is a gentle companion for that journey.
Quick answers
What does ﷺ or PBUH mean?
It stands for 'may Allah send blessings and peace upon him', said whenever the Prophet Muhammad's name is mentioned as a sign of love and respect.
Do Muslims worship Muhammad?
No. Muslims believe he was a human being and the final messenger of Allah. Worship is for Allah alone; the Prophet is followed and loved, not worshipped.
When did the Prophet Muhammad live?
He was born in Makkah around 570 CE, received the first revelation at about 40, migrated to Madinah in 622 CE and died there in 632 CE.
What is the Sunnah?
The Sunnah is the Prophet's teachings, actions and approvals, recorded in hadith. It is the second source of Islamic guidance after the Qur'an.