Essential Questions Non-Muslims Have About the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) 💡

Prioritized to clarify his character, mission, and historical actions.

1. Character, Early Life, and Ethical Conduct 💖

What was Muhammad’s (pbuh) childhood and early life like **before his prophethood**? (Focuses on his reputation as **Al-Amīn**—The Trustworthy.)
What are some verified, everyday examples of his **humility, generosity, and sense of humor**?
How did Muhammad (pbuh) handle **personal insults and ridicule** from his Makkan opponents during the difficult years of persecution?
What was the significance of the title **”The Seal of the Prophets”**?

**How many wives did Muhammad (pbuh) marry, and why did he have multiple wives?** (Allows for explanation of political alliances, compassion for widows, and establishing legal and social precedence.)
What was his unique relationship with his **first wife, Khadijah**, and why did he remain monogamous until her death?
How did his teachings transform the **rights of women** regarding marriage, divorce, inheritance, and testimony compared to pre-Islamic Arabian custom?
How did he treat the **women and daughters** in his own household, and what was the role of his wives as **”Mothers of the Believers”** in teaching the community?

Why did Muhammad (pbuh) transition from a phase of **non-violence** in Makkah to engaging in **warfare** after the $\text{Hijrah}$ (migration) to Medina?
What were the strict **rules of engagement** and ethical guidelines Muhammad (pbuh) set for his armies regarding **non-combatants**, women, children, and property?
How did Muhammad (pbuh) treat **non-Muslims** (Jews and Christians) living in the community of Medina under the framework of the **Constitution of Medina**?
Why was Makkah eventually conquered, and why was the event described as a **”bloodless conquest”** marked by a general amnesty for his former enemies?
What were the specific reasons for the **exile or punishment of Jewish tribes** in Medina (like the Banu Qurayzah)? Was this action political (due to treachery) or purely religious?

How did Muhammad (pbuh) know that the voice he heard in the cave of Hira’ was genuinely **divine revelation** and not a personal experience or hallucination?
What is the difference between the **Qur’an** (God’s direct word) and the **$\text{Sunnah}$/$\text{Hadith}$** (Muhammad’s (pbuh) sayings and actions)?
How does the Islamic understanding of prophethood connect Muhammad (pbuh) to earlier figures like **Abraham, Moses, and Jesus**?
What was the immediate crisis facing the Muslim community after Muhammad’s (pbuh) death, and how did his companions ensure the **continuation of the faith**?