Explore Evidence of Prophet Muhammad’s History & Archaeology

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the final prophet and messenger, and the founder of Islam, a monotheistic religion that transformed history in the 7th century CE.

While his life and the truth of his message are extensively documented in Islamic sources, the physical archaeological evidence directly linked to him or his era is relatively scarce. This is due to multiple historical and social factors. In this article, we will explore the most important of these evidences in more detail.

The Nature of the Era and the Scarcity of Direct Archaeological Evidence

The Prophet Muhammad lived in a desert Bedouin environment in the Arabian Peninsula at a time when writing and documentation were very limited, and oral tradition was the primary method for transferring knowledge and history. In that era, there were no cultural or governmental centers to organize document preservation or dedicate resources to preserving personal artifacts.

Additionally, the Prophet Muhammad did not seek to immortalize himself materially or leave behind artifacts, but rather his message focused on monotheism and worship. His efforts were devoted to spreading religion and morals rather than building a material legacy. This makes the physical evidence related to him or his time very limited compared to historical figures who ruled empires or kingdoms.

Furthermore, the harsh desert climate contributes to the decay of organic materials such as paper or leather. Wars and invasions over the centuries also destroyed many artifacts. Consequently, the surviving evidence is very limited.

Inscriptions and Documents

Despite their rarity, there are some inscriptions and documents that indicate the presence of the Prophet or the emergence of Islam:

• The Black Stone Inscription: The Black Stone is a sacred stone in the Kaaba, and ancient inscriptions or writings found near it or on some of the stones used in the building or sacred sites indicate symbolic documentation of the Hajj rituals or Islamic worship. These inscriptions show the continued religious significance of the Kaaba.
• The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah Document: This is a very important document in Islamic history. The Prophet Muhammad made a peace treaty with the Quraysh tribe in 6 AH, agreeing on a period of peace. While the original document has not been discovered, it is mentioned in many Islamic sources and serves as an official record of political and diplomatic organization in the Prophet's time.
• Pledges (Bay’ah) Documents: Islamic sources mention written contracts used as political and social pledges to the Prophet’s leadership, such as the Pledge of Aqabah. These documents served as formal contracts legitimizing the Prophet’s leadership.

Rock Inscriptions in Mountains and Deserts

In addition to the inscriptions and documents mentioned, another important category of archaeological evidence that helps understand the environment and era of the Prophet Muhammad is rock inscriptions found in various parts of the Arabian Peninsula, especially in mountainous and desert areas.

• Thamudic and Lihyanic Inscriptions: These are ancient scripts from tribes and cultures that existed in Arabia before Islam, but some inscriptions with references to monotheism or religious phrases might reflect the pre-Islamic or early Islamic period.
• Inscriptions in the Hejaz Region: In the mountains around Hejaz, including areas near Ta’if and Mecca, inscriptions in early Kufic or Hijazi script have been found. Some carry words or phrases indicating the emergence of the Islamic call, mentioning companions’ names, or Islamic phrases like “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
• Al-Yamama Inscription: In the central Arabian region of Al-Yamama, there are rock inscriptions referring to tribes and families known during the Prophet’s time, helping to link historical events with geographic realities.
• Inscriptions in Wadi al-Rummah: Located in northwest Arabia, this valley has ancient Arabic inscriptions dating to the early Islamic period or before, containing religious words or names of individuals connected to that era.
• Significance of Rock Inscriptions: They provide direct physical evidence of written language during the Prophet’s time and document social and religious events. They also assist in dating some historical facts related to early Islam.

Early Islamic Coins

Islamic coins appeared during the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, shortly after the Prophet’s death, especially during the reigns of Caliphs Umar ibn al-Khattab, Uthman ibn Affan, and Ali ibn Abi Talib. These coins bore distinctive Islamic inscriptions.

• Significance of the Coins: The coins included phrases like "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah," which indicates the rapid spread of Islam and the establishment of the Prophet’s teachings as a new religious and political system in the territories under the Caliphs’ control.
• Places Where They Were Found: These coins have been found in widespread areas of the Islamic state, from the Arabian Peninsula to the Levant and Iraq, confirming the fast expansion of the Islamic message shortly after the Prophet’s death.
• Coin Design: Initially, these coins contained inscriptions without human images, distinguishing early Islamic coins from Roman or Byzantine ones. This reflects the Prophet’s teachings against depicting living beings.

Ancient Quranic Manuscripts

The Quran is the central text revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, and its preservation over time is among the most important evidence of his existence and the authenticity of his message.

• Sana'a Manuscripts: Discovered in the early 20th century in Yemen, these are among the oldest Quranic manuscripts dating back to the 1st century AH. They confirm the continuity of the Quranic text as known today.
• Other Manuscripts: Such as those in the Topkapi Palace Library in Istanbul and the University of Birmingham Library, all dating to periods close to the Prophet’s lifetime.
• Significance of These Manuscripts: They show how the Word of God revealed to the Prophet Muhammad was precisely recorded and confirm the Quran’s protection from alteration, which is a key pillar in believing in the Prophet’s message.

Historical Sites Associated with the Prophet

Places linked to the Prophet Muhammad during his life and after his death represent important historical evidence connecting his biography with geographical reality.

• The Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi): Located in Medina, it is the second-holiest site in Islam. It was established by the Prophet himself after migrating from Mecca. The mosque contains his sacred tomb and serves as a spiritual center for Muslims worldwide, attracting millions of visitors annually.
• The Kaaba in Mecca: The holiest site in Islam and the focal point of the Hajj pilgrimage. The Prophet Muhammad rebuilt and restored the Kaaba in his youth, and it holds sacred historical significance tied to the Islamic message.
• Quba Mosque: The first mosque built in Islam by the Prophet in Medina, considered a witness to the beginnings of the Islamic state.

Islamic Historical Sources

Although not physical archaeological evidence, these sources are among the strongest documents verifying the Prophet’s life:

• Prophetic Biographies (Sira): Such as “The Life of the Prophet” by Ibn Ishaq, the first organized biography compiler, later edited by Ibn Hisham. These books are based on extensive oral transmissions from companions and followers.
• Hadith Collections: Like Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, which document thousands of sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, either directly or through his companions.
• Islamic Histories: Such as “Tarikh al-Tabari” and works of al-Waqidi, which narrate political and social events during the Prophet’s and the Rightly Guided Caliphs’ times.

Conclusion

The physical archaeological evidence related to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is scarce but highly valuable as it confirms his historical existence and the profound impact of his message on humanity.

Inscriptions, coins, manuscripts, and sacred sites form pieces of the puzzle that help us form a true picture of the Prophet’s era. Alongside detailed Islamic historical sources, these evidences affirm the Prophet Muhammad as a pivotal figure with lasting religious and cultural influence.