“Who Is Muhammad” was written by Khurram Murad, one of the most widely read Islamic writers known for his simple, dawah-focused style. The book was written specifically for readers who are encountering the Prophet ﷺ for the first time — whether they are new Muslims looking to understand the man behind their faith, or non-Muslims seeking an honest, accessible introduction to who he was.
Rather than covering every detail of his life, Khurram Murad focuses on the core of what makes Muhammad ﷺ worth understanding: his honesty and integrity even before prophethood, his compassion toward the poor and the orphaned, and the simple but powerful message he delivered to humanity. Because of this focused, easy-to-read approach, the booklet has been widely used for dawah, as a gift for new Muslims, and as an introductory text in Islamic educational settings.
This article draws on that booklet to walk through the same essentials — who Muhammad ﷺ was, the key moments of his life, and why his message still matters today.
Many people encounter the name Muhammad ﷺ without ever being introduced to who he actually was — a man born in Makkah in the 6th century, known even before his prophethood for his honesty and trustworthiness, and later chosen, Muslims believe, to receive the final revelation from God. This introduction is written especially for new Muslims and readers new to Islam who want a clear, respectful starting point.
Who Was Muhammad the Prophet?
Muhammad ﷺ was born in Makkah around 570 CE, into the Quraysh tribe. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised first by his grandfather and then his uncle, Abu Talib. Long before he received revelation, Makkah knew him by a title—Al-Amin, “the Trustworthy”—because of his honesty in business and personal dealings.
At the age of 40, Muslims believe he received the first revelation of the Quran through the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) while meditating in the cave of Hira, outside Makkah. This marked the beginning of his mission as a prophet, one he continued for the next 23 years until he died in Madinah in 632 CE.
Life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: Key Moments
- Early life in Makkah — known for honesty, fairness, and care for the poor and orphaned, long before prophethood began.
- The start of revelation — the Quran began revealing to him gradually, over 23 years
- Years of hardship in Makkah — he and his early followers faced years of resistance and persecution for their message.
- The migration to Madinah (Hijrah) — in 622 CE, he migrated to Madinah, a turning point that later became the start of the Islamic calendar.
- Return to Makkah — he returned peacefully years later, without seeking revenge against those who had once opposed him
- His final years — he spent his last years consolidating the message of Islam across Arabia before he died in 632 CE.
What Was His Message?
At the core of Muhammad’s ﷺ teaching was a simple message: belief in one God, and a call to justice, honesty, mercy, and care for the vulnerable — orphans, the poor, and the marginalized in a society that often overlooked them. He’s remembered not only as a religious figure but as someone whose personal character — patience, humility, and fairness — is described in detail by those closest to him.
Why People Still Ask “Who Is Muhammad?” Today
For many new Muslims, and for non-Muslims curious about Islam, Muhammad ﷺ is often the first thing they want to understand — not just as a historical figure, but as the person whose life shaped how over a billion Muslims practice their faith today. Understanding his life and character is often the clearest way into understanding Islam itself.
Recommended Reading
If you want to go deeper than a short introduction, “Who Is Muhammad” by Khurram Murad, published by Manshurat, is a concise, 32-page booklet written specifically for readers who are new to Islam or encountering the Prophet’s ﷺ life for the first time. Khurram Murad, known for his clear and accessible writing style, wrote it as a short but complete introduction — covering the Prophet’s ﷺ honesty, compassion, and his message to humanity — making it one of the most widely used introductory booklets for dawah and gifting purposes.
FAQs
What does ﷺ mean?
ﷺ is a symbol Muslims use after the name of Prophet Muhammad, standing for “peace be upon him” (in Arabic, sallallahu alayhi wasallam) — a phrase of respect and blessing said whenever his name is mentioned.
When was Prophet Muhammad ﷺ born?
He ﷺ was born in Makkah around 570 CE.
How long was Prophet Muhammad ﷺ a prophet?
He received revelation for 23 years, from age 40 until his death at age 63.
Is there a short book to learn more about Prophet Muhammad ﷺ?
Yes — Khurram Murad’s Who Is Muhammad is a short, accessible introduction written for exactly this purpose. View the book here.
