مَنْ هُوَ النَّبِيُّ مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ؟

Allah chose very good men to teach people to worship Him and to do good. They are called the prophets. The last of the prophets is our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (33:40).

He was born in Mecca, a very long time ago. His father was called 'Abdullah, and he died before he was born. His mother was called Aamina, and she died when he was still little. But Allah took care of him. Allah tells him: "Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?" (meaning of verse 93:6) His grandfather, then his uncle, looked after him.

When he grew up, the angel Jibril came to bring him the words of Allah: the Qur'an. The first word was: "Read!" (96:1)

Allah sent him for everyone, as a mercy, a great kindness: وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ wa maa arsalnaaka illaa raḥmatan lil-'aalamiin "And We have not sent you except as a mercy to the worlds." (21:107)

When we say his name, we add: صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ṣalla llaahu 'alayhi wa sallam "May Allah send His blessings and peace upon him." (we write it ﷺ)

Little activity: every time you hear "Muhammad", say with your parent: "ṣalla llaahu 'alayhi wa sallam".

Understanding the lesson

Explanation We cannot know by ourselves how Allah wants us to worship Him. So Allah sent prophets to teach us. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the last one: after him, there is no other prophet (33:40). He had a hard childhood: he lost his father and his mother. But Allah never left him alone (93:6). Even before he became a prophet, the people of Mecca called him "Al-Amin", the one you can trust, because he always told the truth (according to the books about the Prophet's ﷺ life, the sira). When we say "ṣalla llaahu 'alayhi wa sallam", we ask Allah to do good to him. The Prophet ﷺ said: whoever sends blessings on me once, Allah sends blessings on him ten times (Muslim 408).

Lessons to draw from it • I love the Prophet ﷺ: he is the one who taught us Islam. • I say "ṣalla llaahu 'alayhi wa sallam" when I hear his name. • Like him, I always tell the truth.

Key points to remember • Muhammad ﷺ is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the prophets (33:40). • He was born in Mecca; his parents were called 'Abdullah and Aamina. • Allah sent him as a mercy to the worlds (21:107).

The main message Allah sent us the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to teach us what is good. I love him, and I send blessings on him.