Ulul 'Azm (Firm Resolve)
Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him
Khatam al-Nabiyyin the Seal of the Prophets
The final messenger, sent as a mercy to all the worlds. Born in Makkah, he received the Quran over 23 years and completed the message of all the prophets before him.
Ulul 'Azm means "those of firm resolve": the five greatest messengers, known for their exceptional patience and determination Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, 'Isa and Muhammad (46:35; 33:7). Nabi (prophet): one who receives revelation from Allah. Every messenger is a prophet, but not every prophet is a messenger.
- Sent to
- All of humanity and the jinn
- Region
- Makkah and Madinah
- Scripture
- The Holy Quran
- Named in the Quran
- 4 times by name
Key events
- Born in Makkah (c. 570 CE) into Quraysh; an orphan raised by his grandfather and then his uncle Abu Talib.
- Known before prophethood as "al-Sadiq al-Amin" the truthful, the trustworthy.
- Received the first revelation in the cave of Hira at forty: "Read in the name of your Lord" (96:1).
- The Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem (17:1), and the Ascension through the heavens (al-Mi'raj), described in authentic hadith.
- Migrated (Hijrah) to Madinah in 622 CE, the start of the Islamic calendar.
- Returned to Makkah victorious, forgave its people, and passed away in Madinah in 632 CE (11 AH).
- Named Muhammad four times in the Quran (3:144; 33:40; 47:2; 48:29) and Ahmad once (61:6).
Lesson
"In the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example" (33:21).