What does the name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ mean? “Muhammad” comes from the Arabic root ḥ-m-d, which relates to praise. It carries the meaning of “the one who is praised”, often explained as “the much-praised one”. The name of Prophet Muhammad appears in the Qur’an four times, and it is one of the most beloved subjects in Islamic calligraphy.
The Name of Prophet Muhammad in the Qur’an
The name Muhammad is mentioned in four verses: 3:144, 33:40, 47:2 and 48:29. One of them describes his unique role:
“Muḥammad is not the father of [any] one of your men, but [he is] the Messenger of Allāh and seal [i.e., last] of the prophets. And ever is Allāh, of all things, Knowing.”
— Qur’an 33:40, Saheeh International (quran.com)
The Name Ahmad
The Qur’an also records that Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus) gave good news of a messenger to come:
“…bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name is Aḥmad.”
— Qur’an 61:6, Saheeh International (quran.com)
Ahmad comes from the same root and is understood as “the most praiseworthy”.
Sending Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ
When Muslims say or write the name of Prophet Muhammad, they add a blessing, often written as ﷺ (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, “may Allah bless him and grant him peace”). The Qur’an commands this:
“Indeed, Allāh confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allāh to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allāh to grant him] peace.”
— Qur’an 33:56, Saheeh International (quran.com)
The Prophet ﷺ said: “He who blesses me once, Allah would bless him ten times” (Sahih Muslim 408).
The Name of Prophet Muhammad in Calligraphy
For centuries calligraphers have written the name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in scripts such as Thuluth, Naskh and Kufic. It often appears alongside the name of Allah in mosques, including in large roundels, and in the second half of the Shahada: “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah” (“I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”). Read more about calligraphy styles in our Islamic history guide.
Displaying the Name Respectfully
- Hang it at or above eye level in a clean room such as a living room, hallway or study.
- Avoid bathrooms, floors and places where it could be treated carelessly.
- When a print is worn or no longer wanted, dispose of it respectfully.
- Check that the Arabic spelling is correct; a genuine calligraphy piece should be verified before printing.
Displaying calligraphy is a personal choice and a reminder; it is not a substitute for learning about the Prophet ﷺ and following his example. See our guides to Sunnah practices and the miracles of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Muhammad as a Name for Children
Muhammad is one of the most popular names in the world, chosen by many families out of love for the Prophet ﷺ. Our Muhammad name print explains the meaning of the name alongside the calligraphy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times is the name Muhammad mentioned in the Qur’an?
Four times, in 3:144, 33:40, 47:2 and 48:29. The name Ahmad is mentioned once, in 61:6.
What does ﷺ mean?
It is a ligature for sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, “may Allah bless him and grant him peace”, said or written after the name of Prophet Muhammad.
Explore the Designs
Explore Ashadu Anna Muhammadan Rasulullah and Muhammad Islamic Name Wall Art. Both are digital downloads supplied as high-resolution JPEG files for printing at home or at a local print shop; no physical item is shipped. Custom designs can be requested.
