Muhammad in the Quran


The Quran enumerates little about the early life of the Islamic prophet Muhammad or other biographic details, but it talks about his prophetic mission, his moral excellence, and theological issues regarding him. According to the Quran, Muhammad is the last in a chain of prophets sent by Allah.
The name "Muhammad" is mentioned four times in the Quran, and the name "Ahmad" is mentioned one time. However, Muhammad is also referred to with various titles such as the Messenger of Allah, Prophet, unlettered, etc., and many verses about Muhammad refer directly or indirectly to him. Also, Surah 47 of the Quran is called "Muhammad".

Mentions of name, titles, qualities

Mentions of Muhammad or Ahmad

Other titles and qualities

There are also references to Muhammad 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", "Seal of the Prophets", a "Summoner unto Allah" and "a Lamp that gives bright light"
Verse -- "And you did not recite before it any scripture, nor did you inscribe one with your right hand. Otherwise the falsifiers would have had doubt" -- is thought to indicate that Muhammad was illiterate and had not read any earlier scriptures.
The Quran disclaims any superhuman characteristics for Muhammad but describes him as a man possessing the highest moral excellence. God made him a good example or a "goodly model" for Muslims to follow, full of sympathy for Muslims.
In Islamic tradition, Muhammad's relation to humanity is as a bringer of truth, and as a blessing whose message will give people salvation in the afterlife. It is believed by at least one pious commentator that it is Muhammad's teachings and the purity of his personal life alone that keep alive the worship of God.

Involvement in doctrine, mission, life

While the Quran does not tell the story of the Prophet's life, a number of verses of the Quran concerning Muhammad affect Islamic doctrine, or refer to Muhammad's mission or personal life.

Quran

Some verses in the Quran concerning Muhammad have an important effect on the character/theology of the religion, specifically those that command or encourage Muslims to obey Muhammad and to follow his teachings. These include:
These verses provide the basis for adherence to the words, actions, and the silent approval of Muhammad -- a record of which is called a hadith -- and provides the bulk of the source for Sharia.

Muhammad's mission

Many important events and turning points in the mission of The Prophet were connected with revelations from the Quran, although the verses are not necessarily addressed to Muhammad.
;Holy months
After migrating to Medina, the Muslims began raiding Meccan caravans. In their first successful raid, the caravan's merchandise was captured, one caravan guard killed and two captured and later ransomed. However, the raid happened when warfare was banned, i.e. during one of the Arab "sacred months". While his followers were reportedly dismayed at this violation of tradition, Muhammad received a revelation reassuring them raids against unbelievers by Muslims during the four months were now permitted by God.
;Battle of Badr
The first battle the Muslims fought against their unbeliever enemies at Badr in 624 CE was a victory where Muslims killed several important Meccan leaders. The battle is mentioned in the Quran as an example of how God helped Muslims and who should show gratitude in return.
;Battle of Uhud
A year later Muslims suffered a setback against a superior force of Meccans at the Battle of Uhud when several dozen Muslims were killed and Muhammad was wounded.
A verse revealed soon after explained why if Muslims had God's favor they had not won the battle as they had at Badr: they disobeyed the Prophets orders and were hasty in collecting loot before the battle was won.
;Battle of the Trench
Verses recalls the doubts and fears of some of inhabitants of Medina in the pivotal Battle of the Trench where Muhammad led the Muslims in digging a protective trench and overcame a siege by 10,000 Meccan unbelievers. In response to his followers abandoning of work on the trench without Muhammad's permission, a verse was revealed telling them not to:
;Jizyah
After the Quraish tribe was vanquished and Makka conquered, the Muslims' position under Muhammad was much stronger and, the Islamic position towards Arab Christians who had not yet converted to Islam was "modified". A verse was revealed requiring Christians to pay a special tax and be "humbled".
While the Quran’s message is eternal and universal, a number of Quranic verses refer to specific issues in the life of the Prophet.
Some verses pertaining to the Prophet's marital relations, these include
While some have criticized these revelations as "convenient", encouraging Muhammad's "personal indulgences" and suggesting that the verses may actually have been concocted by Muhammad and not revealed by God, Muslims have pointed out various reasons for their wisdom. At that time, it was a common practice for men to have slave concubines and was not considered adultery; "Why must he prohibit something for themselves when God has not prohibited it for them?" The Prophet had special obligations, such as praying at night, as well as privileges. The wives of the prophet were forbidden from remarrying because they were considered to be the "mothers of the believers".