Prophet Muhammad’s personality is not just admirable but exemplary. His personality reflects his great humility and approachability as a person, despite his high-ranking status as the indisputable leader of the Muslims. Although followers of other religions don’t necessarily consider him a prophet, he is still revered by Muslims as a Prophet of God. Muhammad was an inspirational leader who formed one of the major religions in the world. Allah says:

قُل لَّئِنِ اجْتَمَعَتِ الْإِنسُ وَالْجِنُّ عَلَىٰ أَن يَأْتُوا بِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا الْقُرْآنِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا

Say, “If gathered the mankind and the jinn to [that] bring the like (of) this Quran, not they (could) bring the like of it, even if we’re some of them to some other assistants.” (Surah Al-Isra` 17:88)

Prophet Muhammad (570 – 632 AD) – the central figure of Islam – is believed to be the last of the prophets and the last Messenger of God to mankind. His mawlid (birthday) is commemorated annually on the 12th of Rabi’ Al Awwal, which falls on November 20th this year. The occasion is celebrated by millions of Muslims worldwide.

Let’s explore some interesting facts about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

1. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) started preaching Islam after Angel Gabriel came
2. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) first 54 years of his life he had only one wife
3. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had sons but they died in their childhood
4. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the most popular name in the world
5. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) shortly after his birth, his mother died
6. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never ate alone, He invited others
7. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established the rights of animals
8. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) father was dead before his birth
9. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) character was respected by all
10. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established rights for women
11. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) forgave his enemies
12. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Mecca
13. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was an orphan
14. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was unlettered
15. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is Buried in Medina
16. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had a strong presence
17. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) helped with household chores
18. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was never a supporter of wars
19. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed in the presence of dogs
20. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not consider himself divine
21. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) regularly visited the poor and ill
22. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) acknowledged his own fallibility
23. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) condemned racism and tribalism
24. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) always tried to bring racial equality
25. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established the constitution of Medina
26. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) preached moderation and social reform

Islam is the culmination of the universal message of God taught by all of His prophets. Muslims believe that a prophet was chosen for every nation at some point in their history, enjoining them to worship God alone and delivering guidance on how to live peacefully with others. Some of the prophets of God include Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, peace be upon them all. The prophets all conveyed the consistent divine message of worshipping one God, along with specific societal laws for each nation’s circumstances.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

• “Did He not find you an orphan and give you a refuge? And He found you lost and guided you. And He found you poor and made you self-sufficient. So as for the orphan, do not oppress him. And as for the petitioner, do not repel him. But as for the favour of your Lord, report it.” (Quran 93:6-11)
• If you have doubts about the revelation We have sent down to Our servant, then produce a single chapter like it and enlist whatever supporters you have other than God- if you truly [think you can]. If you cannot do this- and you never will- then beware of the Fire prepared for the disbelievers, whose fuel is men and stones .” (Quran 2:23-24)
• “Say (O Muhammad): ‘I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your God is One God (Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” (Quran 18:11)

Here are some facts about prophet Muhammad (PBUH), that you might have never known before:

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Early Life:

• Muhammad was born in the year 570 in the town of Mecca.
• He belonged to a poor but respectable family of the Quraysh tribe.
• Most of his early life was spent as a merchant.
• When he was young he used to take the cattle from their owners in Makkah to breed them so that he can help his uncle with the expenditure.
• And when he grew some older, he worked with his uncle in trading, and was named “the honest and the trustworthy”.
• And for that reason, Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) heard about him and offered him to work with her.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) kindness with kids:

• When he used to pass by children in the street, he used to greet and play with them.
• Once a young girl took his hand and walked with him in the streets of Madinah, and he walked with her to the place she wanted to go and helped her with what she wanted.
• A young boy used to have a bird. Whenever Muhammad (May peace and blessings be upon him) saw him, he always saluted him and asked him about his bird.
• And when that bird died, Prophet Muhammad (May peace and blessing be upon him) consoled and grieved the little boy.
• If prophet Muhammed (PBUH) was praying and heard a baby crying, he would finish the prayer quickly to relieve both the baby and the mother.
• Nevertheless, he used to carry his grandson while he was praying.
• One time a baby girl climbed up into his back while he was in his prostration ‘sujood’, so he prolonged his prostration not to make her sad.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was humble:

• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never criticized the taste of food.
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not like to be treated like a person of great power.
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was always good to the poor and needy.
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) forbade people from standing up in his presence or from kneeling down to him in respect.
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived a life not of affluence but of humility and modesty.
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) lived in a simple house and ate simple food.
• Prophet (PBUH), despite having a huge following, was humble to the core and never posed himself as being superior to his companions or any other mankind.
• He spoke with definite and clear words; people did not forget what he had said.
• Chastity, kindness, patience, self-sacrifice and appreciation dominated his actions.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Family:

• When he finishes eating, the place in which the prophet (PBUH) ate, was extremely clean.
• Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to race with his wife.
• And call her by her favourite nickname.
• He was in the service of his family.
• Once a group of old women visited him. Then, he welcomed them warmly and happily, to the extent that his companions were wondering who were they. So, he told them that these women were the friends of his wife who died a long time ago.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Caring:

• There was a black poor woman who used to clean the mosque. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to ask about her. And when she died, he went to pray upon her herself.
• One of his teachings is that if you loved one of your brothers, tell them that. As it will make them happy and make society warmer.
• And never belittle any good deed, even if it was a smile to your brother.
• He was never violent to a servant
• He never got angry for the sake of himself.
• If he got happy, he used to look down humbly.
• He never hit anything with his hands, except when fighting for the sake of Allah the All-Mighty.
• He never criticized anyone. Also, he used to accept gifts.
• He used to do his own needs by himself. He used to tailor his clothes and fix his footwear.
• He used to take care of all his friends, each one of them individually. As a result, each one of them felt that he was the closest to him.
• There was a man of his companion called “Zaher” who wasn’t beautiful. In order to make him feel good and give him good tidings, Muhammad (PBUH) once held him from his back and said joking “who wants to buy the slave?”. When the man turned around and recognized that he was actually in the arms of Prophet Muhammad he happily left himself in his arms and said that no one would accept him! But Muhammad told him that Allah accepts him and he is really valuable for Him.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Ethics:

• Hazrat Prophet asked for high ethics from Allah in a prayer: “O Allah, grant me high ethics, nobody but you can grant high ethics. O Allah, keep me away from bad qualities.” (Muslim, Misafirun, 201)
• Hazrat Prophet reminded people that high ethics was one of the ways of making belief perfect by saying, “The most perfect believer in terms of belief is the one who has the highest ethics and who treats his family in the nicest way.”.(Abu Dawood, Sunnah, 14)
• Allah reminds that Hazrat Prophet is an exemplary person that needs to be followed:“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah.” (al-Ahzab, 33/21)
• Prophet (PBUH) visited ill people, accompanied funerals when the met them and accepted the invitations for meals of the slaves.
• He milked his own goats and did his own work.
• He was very generous. He was very brave.
• He always told the truth.
• He was the most loyal protector for the people he protected. When he spoke, he uttered the sweetest and nicest words.
• He did not leave his hands before the hand of the person shaking hands with him, and he did not turn his face and leave before the person who left him turned his face.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Figuring Out More:

• He told Muslims, whoever sees me while he is asleep, then he truly saw me, as the devil can never embody me.
• A group of followers once asked Anas Ibn Malek (prophet’s companion) about the description of the prophet. So he said, his hair was like Qatadah’s, and he pointed out Qatadah, who in return cried as the prophet’s love in his heart was intense.
• The very last thing he commanded us within his last speech was that our blood and properties are forbidden on us, just as sacred as the Ka’abah in the sacred place of Makkah and the sacred time of Arafa (pilgrimage time).
• And his last word in the same speech was: “Take my advice with regard to women: Act kindly towards women.”  (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
• He also said: “I have left two matters with you. As long as you hold to them, you will not go the wrong way. They are the Book of Allah and the Sunna of His Prophet.”  (Muwatta Malik)
• While he was dying, he would put his hand in a vessel and wipe his face with the water, and then he prayed “O Allah, help me bear the agonies of death.”
• Abu Bakr – May Allah be pleased with him- kissed him between his eyes right after he died.
• The angel of death has given him the choice to stay alive or to go to Allah The Highest!
• And when he died, the Madinah and everything darkened as never before.

The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him had a strong presence. His charismatic nature left a strong impact on all those who met him. Allah says:

وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ أَفَإِن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ انقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِكُمْ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا وَسَيَجْزِي اللَّهُ الشَّاكِرِينَ

“And not (is) Muhammad – except a Messenger, certainly passed away before him [the] (other) Messengers. So if he died or is slain will you turn back on your heels? And whoever turns back on his heels then never will he harm Allah (in) anything. And Allah will reward the grateful ones.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:144)

Muhammad peace be upon him became a Prophet at the age of forty. Prior to that, he was living a normal life in society. He conducted business, married, attended social gatherings, and mingled with all types of people. He did not lie even when he told jokes and never cheated in business. He had one characteristic that quickly became apparent to all those who interacted with him; honesty. He was never known to have lied and even those who rejected his message referred to him as the truthful one.