Muhammad

570 – 632 · died at about 62^[1][2]

Philosophy & Thought

Fun Facts About Muhammad

• Muhammad's wife Khadija was a wealthy merchant in the caravan trade. She was so impressed after he led one of her caravans to Syria that she proposed marriage to him.^[1]
• According to a narrative collected by Ibn Ishaq, Muhammad settled a dispute between Meccan clans over the Black Stone by placing it on a cloak so that all of them could lift it together.^[1]
• Before choosing a human voice for the call to prayer, Muhammad considered using a ram's horn or a wooden clapper. He chose Bilal, a former slave known for his loud voice.^[1]
• To defend Medina against an army of 10,000, Muhammad's followers dug a trench, a form of defense then unknown in Arabia. The idea is credited to Salman the Persian.^[1]
• Muhammad did household chores himself, including preparing food, sewing clothes, and repairing shoes.^[1]
• The first mosque, built in Medina, used tree trunks as pillars and had no pulpit. Muhammad stood on a small stool to speak to the congregation.^[1]
• Charlemagne was born just over a century after Muhammad died.^[1][2][3][4]
• Muhammad lived to about 62, from 570 until 632.^[1][2]

Muhammad was an Arab religious, military and political leader, as well as the founder of Islam. According to Islam, he was the final prophet of God who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets in Islam. He is believed by Muslims to be the Seal of the Prophets, and along with the Quran, his teachings and normative examples form the basis for Islamic religious belief.^[1]

Contemporaries

Questions About Muhammad

When was Muhammad born?

Muhammad was born in 570 and died in 632.

How old was Muhammad at death?

Muhammad died in 632 at about 62 years old (570–632).

What was Muhammad known for?

Muhammad was known for: Prophet and founder of Islam. Muhammad was an Arab religious, military and political leader, as well as the founder of Islam. According to Islam, he was the final prophet of God who was divinely inspired to preach and confirm the monotheistic teachings of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other prophets in Islam. He is believed by Muslims to be the Seal of the Prophets, and along with the Quran, his teachings and normative examples form the basis for Islamic religious belief.

Who was alive at the same time as Muhammad?

Muhammad's closest contemporary was Ali. Their lives overlapped for 33 years.