Table of Contents
The Names of the Final Messenger
From the very beginning of his life, the name of the Prophet ﷺ carried meanings full of praise, hope, and divine wisdom. In Arab culture, names were chosen carefully, because they were believed to reflect character and destiny. The names of the Prophet ﷺ are among the clearest signs of his special status with Allah and his unique role among mankind.
This chapter will focus on the meaning of his most famous names, why his grandfather chose the name “Muhammad,” and what the Qur’an and authentic hadith tell us about his names and their significance.
The Name “Muhammad” ﷺ
The most famous name of the Prophet is “Muhammad,” written in Arabic as:
مُحَمَّد
Linguistically, “Muhammad” comes from the three-letter Arabic root ح م د (ḥ-m-d), which carries the meaning of praise, commendation, and gratitude. From this root comes the word:
الحَمْدُ
“Al‑ḥamd” which means “the praise” or “all praise.”
The name “Muhammad” is an intensive form, which means “the one who is often praised,” or “the one who is praised repeatedly and abundantly.” It implies that he is praised by people on earth and that he is praised and mentioned with honor by the inhabitants of the heavens.
The Qur’an itself honors this name. Allah says:
مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِنْ رِجَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets.”
(Qur’an 33:40)
In another place, Allah links his name to belief in Him:
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ وَلَمْ يُفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَ أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ أُولَٰئِكَ سَوْفَ يُؤْتِيهِمْ أُجُورَهُمْ
And among these messengers is Muhammad, who is specifically named in:
وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ
“Those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet...”
(Qur’an 7:158)
And directly:
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ
“Muhammad is no more than a messenger.”
(Qur’an 3:144)
These verses show that his personal name is mentioned explicitly in the Qur’an, an honor not given to many prophets by name in the final revelation.
“MUHAMMAD” MEANS “THE ONE WHO IS OFTEN AND ABUNDANTLY PRAISED,” FROM THE ROOT ح م د WHICH INDICATES PRAISE AND GRATITUDE.
Why Abdul Muttalib Chose the Name “Muhammad”
In Makkah, at the time of his birth, the name “Muhammad” was extremely rare. Some scholars mention that it was almost unknown among the Arabs before him. When his grandfather Abdul Muttalib was asked why he chose this unusual name for his grandson, he replied with words that reflect both hope and insight.
Reports mention that he said:
أَرَدْتُ أَنْ يُحْمَدَ فِي السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ
“I wished that he be praised in the heavens and on the earth.”
This statement matches the meaning of the name itself, and it turned out to be exactly what happened. His name is pronounced five times a day in the adhan, in the iqamah, and in prayers all over the world, and his mention is connected directly to the mention of Allah.
In the adhan, the caller says:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ
أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah. I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
So, every time the oneness of Allah is proclaimed, the prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ is proclaimed immediately after. This is a practical fulfillment of the hope Abdul Muttalib expressed when choosing that name.
The Name “Ahmad”
Another important name of the Prophet ﷺ is “Ahmad,” written in Arabic as:
أَحْمَد
“Ahmad” comes from the same root ح م د, but in a different pattern. It is often explained as “the one who praises Allah the most” or “the most praiseworthy.”
So, if “Muhammad” emphasizes that he is praised by others, “Ahmad” highlights his own deep praise and gratitude to Allah.
Allah mentions this name in the Qur’an in the words of Prophet Isa عليه السلام:
وَإِذْ قَالَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ إِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ إِلَيْكُم مُصَدِّقًا لِمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيَّ مِنَ التَّوْرَاةِ وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِنْ بَعْدِي اسْمُهُ أَحْمَدُ
“And when Jesus, son of Mary, said, ‘O Children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you, confirming what came before me of the Torah and bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Ahmad.’”
(Qur’an 61:6)
This verse shows that the Prophet ﷺ was not only named “Muhammad” in Arabia, but that his coming was foretold to earlier nations by the name “Ahmad,” the one who praises Allah most.
“AHMAD” MEANS “THE ONE WHO PRAISES ALLAH THE MOST” AND IS MENTIONED BY NAME IN THE QUR’AN AS A DESCRIPTION OF THE FINAL MESSENGER.
His Names in Authentic Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ spoke of his own names in a famous authentic hadith. He said:
عَنْ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ مُطْعِمٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ:
«إِنَّ لِي أَسْمَاءً، أَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، وَأَنَا أَحْمَدُ، وَأَنَا الْمَاحِي الَّذِي يَمْحُو اللَّهُ بِيَ الْكُفْرَ، وَأَنَا الْحَاشِرُ الَّذِي يُحْشَرُ النَّاسُ عَلَى قَدَمِي، وَأَنَا الْعَاقِبُ الَّذِي لَيْسَ بَعْدَهُ نَبِيٌّ»
“I have several names. I am Muhammad, and I am Ahmad, and I am al‑Māḥī, by whom Allah erases disbelief, and I am al‑Hāshir, at whose feet people will be gathered, and I am al‑‘Āqib, after whom there is no prophet.”
(Al‑Bukhari and Muslim)
Each of these names describes a specific aspect of his role:
“Muhammad” the one who is highly praised.
“Ahmad” the one who praises Allah the most.
“Al‑Māḥī” the eraser, through whom Allah erased idol worship and shirk in Arabia.
“Al‑Hāshir” the gatherer, because people will be gathered behind him on the Day of Resurrection.
“Al‑‘Āqib” the last, meaning there will be no prophet after him.
These are not separate people but different names and descriptions of the same Messenger, each pointing to a different honor or responsibility that Allah gave him.
The Meaning of “Al‑‘Āqib”: The Final Prophet
Among his names, “Al‑‘Āqib” has particular importance in understanding his place in the line of prophets. Linguistically, “Al‑‘Āqib” refers to “the one who comes last,” or “the one with no one after him.” This is why the Prophet ﷺ explained it clearly in the hadith:
وَأَنَا الْعَاقِبُ الَّذِي لَيْسَ بَعْدَهُ نَبِيٌّ
“And I am al‑‘Āqib, after whom there is no prophet.”
This same meaning appears in the Qur’an, where Allah calls him:
خَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ
“the seal of the prophets”
(Qur’an 33:40)
So his names themselves teach the important belief that prophethood ended with him. No new prophet will come after Muhammad ﷺ.
HIS NAME “AL‑‘ĀQIB” MEANS “THE LAST,” AND IT CONFIRMS THAT HE IS THE FINAL PROPHET AND THAT THERE IS NO PROPHET AFTER HIM.
His Name and the Concept of Praise
The connection between his name and the concept of praise is deep. The root ح م د appears in several important words in Islam:
- “Al‑ḥamd” in the opening chapter of the Qur’an:
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
(Qur’an 1:2)
- “Muhammad” the one who is constantly praised.
- “Ahmad” the one who constantly praises Allah.
- “Mahmūd” which means “praised,” and from this comes “al‑Maqām al‑Maḥmūd,” the praised station which the Prophet ﷺ will be granted on the Day of Resurrection.
The Prophet ﷺ said regarding this praised station:
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«إِنَّ النَّاسَ يَصِيرُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ جُثًا كُلُّ أُمَّةٍ تَتْبَعُ نَبِيَّهَا، يَقُولُونَ: يَا فُلَانُ اشْفَعْ، يَا فُلَانُ اشْفَعْ، حَتَّى تَنْتَهِيَ الشَّفَاعَةُ إِلَيَّ، فَهُوَ الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي يَبْعَثُنِي اللَّهُ فِيهِ مَقَامًا مَحْمُودًا»
“People will fall on their knees on the Day of Resurrection, each nation following its prophet, saying, ‘O so and so, intercede, O so and so, intercede,’ until the right of intercession comes to me. That is the day when Allah will grant me the Praised Station (al‑Maqām al‑Maḥmūd).”
(Al‑Bukhari)
So praise is tied to his name in this world and also to his role in the next life when he will be in the “Praised Station” and people will praise him and thank him for his intercession by Allah’s permission.
The Difference Between “Name” and “Titles”
It is helpful for a beginner to distinguish between his proper “names” and his “titles” or descriptive attributes.
His proper names include “Muhammad” and “Ahmad.” These are names by which he was called.
The other words such as “Al‑Māḥī,” “Al‑Hāshir,” and “Al‑‘Āqib” are both names and titles because they describe what he does or his position. There are also many other noble descriptions in the Qur’an and Sunnah, such as:
“Al‑Nabi al‑Ummi” the unlettered Prophet.
“Rasūlullāh” the Messenger of Allah.
“Rahmah” a mercy, as in the verse:
وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
“And We have not sent you, except as a mercy to the worlds.”
(Qur’an 21:107)
These are not names in the same sense as “Muhammad,” but they are honored descriptions that show his character and mission.
Respecting and Honoring His Name
In Islam, the name of the Prophet ﷺ is treated with great respect. When Muslims mention his name, they say words of blessing for him, such as:
صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
“May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.”
Allah Himself commands the believers to send blessings upon him:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and greetings of peace.”
(Qur’an 33:56)
This practice of sending peace and blessings whenever his name is mentioned further connects his name with praise and honor in the hearts and tongues of the believers.
WHENEVER HIS NAME IS MENTIONED, IT IS FROM THE ETIQUETTE OF FAITH TO SAY: “صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ” (MAY ALLAH’S PEACE AND BLESSINGS BE UPON HIM).
The Spread of His Name Among the Muslims
After his birth and especially after Islam spread, the name “Muhammad” became one of the most common names among Muslims across different lands and languages. Parents name their children “Muhammad” out of love, respect, and a wish that their children will imitate the character of the Prophet ﷺ.
While naming a child Muhammad does not guarantee that the child will have his character, it is a reminder and a hope that the child will be connected to him and will try to follow his example.
The widespread love for this name in all corners of the Muslim world shows how Allah accepted the hope of Abdul Muttalib that his grandson would be praised in the earth. Not only is the Prophet ﷺ praised, but millions of children carry his name and are reminded daily of who he was.
Summary of the Meaning and Significance
The name “Muhammad” means the one who is very often praised. It was chosen for him by his grandfather before anyone knew he would be a prophet, yet it perfectly fits his reality in this world and the next.
The name “Ahmad” emphasizes that he is the one who praises Allah most and that his coming was announced to earlier nations.
His other names such as “Al‑Māḥī,” “Al‑Hāshir,” and “Al‑‘Āqib” teach us about his mission to remove disbelief, his role on the Day of Resurrection, and his position as the final prophet.
Through these names, a beginner can start to understand that the Prophet ﷺ is central to the religion of Islam, that he is honored in the Qur’an and Sunnah, and that his life is filled with praise of Allah and is itself a cause for praise among all of creation.