Names of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)
Numerous authentic Hadiths elucidate the names of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). In one narration, he stated: “I have five names: I am Muhammad, Ahmad, Al-Mahi (the one who erases disbelief), Al-Hashir (the gatherer of people on the Day of Judgment), and Al-Aqib (the last prophet).” Additionally, Abu Musa Al-Ashari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) named himself several names, saying: I am Muhammad, Ahmad, Al-Muqafi (the one who follows the prophets), Al-Hashir, the Prophet of Repentance, and the Prophet of Mercy.” The meanings of these names are as follows:
- Al-Mahi: Refers to the one through whom Allah erases disbelief and sins.
- Al-Hashir: He is the first to be resurrected, followed by others, as he stated: “I am the first from whom the earth will split open.”
- Al-Aqib: This means the final prophet, with no prophet after him.
- Al-Muqafi: This also means another; if viewed as an active participle, otherwise as a passive participle it refers to the one who follows the prophets.
- Prophet of Repentance: This title has several interpretations, including that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was one who often sought forgiveness from Allah, as reflected in his words: “I seek Allah’s forgiveness seventy times a day.” He also allowed his ummah to repent merely by seeking forgiveness, which signifies a return to faith, including the return of disbelievers to Islam and sinners to obedience through the blessing of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
- Prophet of Mercy and the Prophet of Great Events: These names may be reconciled by stating that he brought mercy, proof, and miracles to people; however, those who rejected this and remained obstinate deserved destruction.
- Muhammad and Ahmad: He embodies virtues worthy of praise, and the name Muhammad is mentioned in several verses of the Quran, including: “And Muhammad is but a messenger; [other] messengers have passed on before him.” The name Ahmad is mentioned once in the Quran, spoken by Jesus (Peace Be Upon Him): “And [I am] giving you good tidings of a Messenger to come after me, whose name will be Ahmad.”
- Al-Amin: This is a name attributed to him even before his prophethood and holds even more significance thereafter, as he was entrusted with the divine message and the revelation from the heavens.
- Al-Bashir and Al-Nazir: He conveys glad tidings to his followers of great rewards and warns opponents of sin and punishment.
- The Illuminating Lamp: Allah described him in His book as “the illuminating lamp,” symbolizing one who enlightens without causing harm, in contrast to the searing light of the sun.
Furthermore, Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned multiple names of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), including: Al-Shahid (the witness), Al-Ni’mah (the bounty), Al-Muzammil (the enshrouded), Al-Muddathir (the cloaked), Al-Hadi (the guide), Al-Mustafa (the chosen), Al-Mukhtar (the selected), and Al-Shafi’ (the intercessor). Abdullah Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned the name Al-Tawakkul (the trustworthy). It should be noted that the claim by some that ‘Ta-Ha’ and ‘Ya-Sin’ are names of the Prophet is inaccurate; these are merely letters initiating chapters, similar to ‘Alif-Lam-Mim’, as noted by Ibn Qayyim. Also, the narration “The best names are those that are worthy of worship and praise” is not authentic, as stated by Albani (may Allah have mercy on him). What is authentic is his saying: “Name yourselves after me, but do not nickname yourselves with my title,” and: “The names most beloved to Allah are Abdullah and Abdur-Rahman.”
The multitude of names and attributes of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) highlights his prophethood, grandeur, generosity, and the remarkable qualities that Allah favored him with, achieving the pinnacle of human perfection—a distinction that no other prophet possesses.
Attributes of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)
Physical Attributes of the Prophet
Allah (Glorified and Exalted) created His esteemed prophets in the most beautiful form, but He made our Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) the most radiant and complete in majesty and beauty, both in physical appearance and character. Allah distinguished him among all humanity, making him unique in his appearance, movements, fragrance, and all his states. How could it be otherwise when Allah crafted him for Himself and made him a role model for His creation? The face of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) gleamed like the full moon, radiating light and whiteness combined with a rosy hue. He had the Seal of Prophethood situated between his shoulders. His speech was sweet, his tongue eloquent, his heart courageous, characterized by a broad forehead, pronounced canines, deep black eyes, a thick beard, a prominent nose, majestic eyebrows, a distinctive chin, smooth cheeks, and hair reaching his earlobes. His beard was interspersed with a few gray hairs that surrounded his chin. He had large, solid hands and feet and a medium stature—not excessively tall or short—such that if he walked with someone tall, he would be at the same level or just above them, and with someone shorter, he would appear equal.
Among the signs of his prophethood (Peace Be Upon Him) contained in previous scriptures was that he had a distinct eye definition, marked by reddish veins appreciated as a commendable trait. Additionally, his eyes were wide with bright white surroundings and long eyelashes. Details of his physical attributes include:
- His Mouth and Teeth: His mouth was wide, and his lips were beautiful. His teeth were slightly separated, and there was a gap between his incisors and canines, as narrated by Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) had distinct teeth.”
- His Saliva: Even his saliva (Peace Be Upon Him) had healing properties, blessings, strength, and nourishment, as narrated when he said: “Tomorrow, I will give the banner to a man through whom Allah opens gates.” Everyone hoped to receive this honor, but Ali was called, and upon coming, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) wiped his eyes with his saliva, and he healed as if he had no ailment.
- His Beard: His beard was about the size of a hand’s span, and he would comb and perfume it, as Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) remarked: “He had a large head, a fair complexion with a hint of redness, and a substantial beard.”
- His Hair: His hair was neither silky nor frizzy; according to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), “He had a considerable amount of hair on his head, which varied in length.” When cut, it reached half his earlobes; otherwise, it could reach his shoulders, and at times he would shave it when performing Hajj, as noted by Al-Nawawi.
- His Grey Hair: His hair was slightly grey, with the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) able to count them—either ten or seventeen grey hairs at most. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) confirmed that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) had not reached the stage of dyeing it, and it contained only a few grey strands.
- His Neck: Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) described his neck as neither long nor short, comparing it to a silver pitcher, as she stated: “What was revealed of his neck to the sun and wind was like a silver pitcher with gold, gleaming in the brightness of silver and the hue of gold, while what his garments concealed seemed like the moon on a full night.”
- His Shoulders: The area where his shoulder joined his arm was broad and full of hair, and Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “He had a broad chest and was hairy on his arms and shoulders.”
- His Armpits: He had white armpits, which is a sign of his prophethood since it is common for this area to change color. He stated: “When the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) prostrated, he would part his arms to the extent that we could see his armpits.”
- His Arms and Hands: He had long arms with broad, meaty hands that were softer than silk, as Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I never touched fabric nor silk softer than the hand of the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him).” His fingers were long, confirming the Sunnah saying that “he had long fingers.”
- His Abdomen and Navel: His stomach was not large; his navel was small, connecting with his chin by a slight line of hair, as confirmed in the Sunnah: “He had a flat stomach and chest, wide in the chest, with connected hair from the chest to the navel. The rest was hairless, with a hairy chest and arms.”
- His Joints and Knees: He had muscular limbs, indicating his incredible strength.
- His Legs, Feet, and Ankles: His legs were notably white, and it was said his feet were higher than the ground, and they were smooth without any excessive flesh, resembling the feet of Prophet Ibrahim (Peace Be Upon Him), as denoted by his footprints at the مقام إبراهيم.
- His Sweat: His sweat was as clear as pearls, as Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “I never smelled a fragrance or musk sweeter than the scent of the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him).”
Moral Attributes of the Prophet
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) exemplified the highest standards of character, evident in his interactions with friends and adversaries alike, as he was sent to complete the moral excellences that draw people closer to Allah and to one another. Allah praised him in His noble book: “There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves; it grieves him that you should suffer, and he is concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful.” He was the first in every good quality required by either Sharia or natural disposition, and among these qualities are:
- Generosity: He (Peace Be Upon Him) was the most generous of people, giving generously as if he feared no poverty, yet he spent his wealth only wisely, whether in the cause of Allah, in softening hearts for Islam, or assisting the needy. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) stated: “The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) was never asked about Islam without giving generously.”
- Courage: He was the bravest of men; while others fled from battles, he stood firm. Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) remarked: “When danger arose, we would seek refuge behind the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him).”
- Gentleness and Kindness: The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was characterized by tenderness, compassion, forgiveness, and responding to harm with goodness. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “I served the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) for ten years, and he never said ‘uff’ to me, nor did he ever question me about an action I took or did not take.” He would joke with his companions and visit the ill, showing understanding and awareness of their circumstances.
- Asceticism: The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was the most ascetic in regards to worldly matters and sought the Hereafter above all. When given the choice to be a prophet or a king, he chose to be a humble servant and messenger. His asceticism was evident when companions entered and saw a mark of hardship on him, making Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) weep, to which the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) replied: “What makes you cry, Umar?” He replied: “I only cry because I know you are more honored in sight of Allah than the kings of Persia and Rome, and yet I see you in this state.”
- Modesty: The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was shyer than a virgin in her chamber. Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) was more modest than a virgin in her chamber, and whenever he disliked something, we could tell from his demeanor.”
- Compassion: He (Peace Be Upon Him) exhibited deep compassion for his nation, as Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) recounted: “The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) would hear a child crying while his mother was nearby, and he would recite shorter verses so as not to burden her.”
The Prophet Muhammad: The Seal of the Prophets and Messengers
Scholars unanimously agree that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, a fact firmly established in the Quran. Allah (Glorified and Exalted) states: “Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets.” Further, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said: “The parable of myself and the prophets before me is that of a man who built a house and perfected and beautified it, except for one brick in one corner; people would circle around it, admiring it, yet asking, ‘Why has this brick not been set?’ He said: ‘I am the brick, and I am the Seal of the Prophets.’” This truth has been confirmed by scholars like Ibn Atiah in his interpretation, asserting that the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is indeed the last of the prophets, a point reiterated in the Quran and authentic Sunna. Such beliefs are fundamental to the testimony of faith that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; one who denies this is, in fact, in denial of a core belief within the faith, as this is a clear principle of the religion.
It is worth noting that whether one reads the word ’Khatim’ with a kasra (ح) or fatha (م), they convey the same meaning. Some of the Prophet’s names also signify his role as the last of the prophets, such as ‘Al-Aqib’, which implies there will be no prophets after him. Accepting this truth is a requirement of the declaration that “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,” a foundational element of faith. To deny this is to reject what is-known and is intuitively understood in the religion, which no Muslim can truly renounce.
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References
* Mufalajjah: The spacing between teeth, considered a beauty trait.
* Hadqah: The dark circular part of the eyes.
* Aqna: The elevated mid-section of the nose.
* Azhajj: Long, curved, and delicate.
* ‘Anfaqah’: The fine hairs found between the chin and lower lip.
* ‘Aqib’: The bone located at the back of the foot.