Peace Be Upon Him
The Quran does not mandate the phrase "Peace be upon him" (or similar expressions) after mentioning Prophet Muhammad or any other messenger. While such expressions can reflect respect, the Quran places emphasis on upholding the message of the prophets and avoiding ritualistic practices not explicitly prescribed.
Mentioning Prophets Without Additions
The Quran frequently mentions prophets and messengers without attaching phrases like "Peace be upon him."
قُولُواْ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡنَا وَمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَىٰٓ إِبۡرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسۡمَٰعِيلَ وَإِسۡحَٰقَ وَيَعۡقُوبَ وَٱلۡأَسۡبَاطِ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ مُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰ وَمَآ أُوتِىَ ٱلنَّبِيُّونَ مِن رَّبِّهِمۡ لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيۡنَ أَحَدٍ۬ مِّنۡهُمۡ وَنَحۡنُ لَهُۥ مُسۡلِمُونَ
Qūlū āmannā bi-llāhi wa-mā unzila ilaynā wa-mā unzila ilā ʾIbrāhīma wa-ʾIsmāʿīla wa-ʾIsḥāqa wa-Yaʿqūba wa-ʾal-Asbāṭi wa-mā ʾūtiya Mūsā wa-ʿĪsā wa-mā ʾūtiya an-nabiyyūna min rabbihim lā nufarriqu bayna ʾaḥadin minhum wa-naḥnu lahu muslimūn.
Say, "We believe in God and in what was brought down to us, and in what was brought down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes, and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We do not distinguish between any of them, and to Him we are Submitters."
(2:136)
This verse lists multiple prophets without the use of any additional phrases, demonstrating that such expressions are not a Quranic requirement.
The Quran Prohibits Distinction Among Prophets
The Quran commands believers to treat all messengers equally and make no distinction among them:
لَا نُفَرِّقُ بَيۡنَ أَحَدٍ۬ مِّن رُّسُلِهِۦۚ
Lā nufarriqu bayna ʾaḥadin min rusulihi.
"We do not distinguish between any of His messengers."
(2:285)
By reserving "Peace be upon him" exclusively for Muhammad, an implicit distinction is made, which contradicts this Quranic principle.
Muhammad Is Not Unique Among Messengers
Prophet Muhammad himself is reminded in the Quran that he is not a novelty among the messengers:
قُلۡ مَا كُنتُ بِدَعً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلرُّسُلِ وَمَآ أَدۡرِى مَا يُفۡعَلُ بِى وَلَا بِكُمۡۖ إِنۡ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَيَّ وَمَآ أَنَا۟ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬
Qul mā kuntu bidʿan mina ar-rusuli wa-mā adrī mā yufʿalu bī wa-lā bikum ʾin attabiʿu ʾillā mā yūḥā ʾilayya wa-mā ʾanā ʾillā nadhīrun mubīn.
Say, "I am not a novelty among the messengers, nor do I know what will happen to me or to you. I follow nothing other than what is revealed to me. I am no more than a clear warner."
(46:9)
This verse highlights Muhammad's role as a messenger and reinforces the Quran's consistent message of not elevating one prophet above others.
Respect for Messengers Lies in Following Their Message
The Quran emphasizes adherence to the message brought by the messengers as the ultimate form of respect:
وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن قَبۡلِكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًۭا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيۡهِمۡۚ فَسۡـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهۡلَ ٱلذِّكۡرِ إِن كُنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
Wa-mā ʾarsalnā min qablika ʾillā rijālan nūḥī ʾilayhim fa-sʾalū ʾahla adh-dhikri ʾin kuntum lā taʿlamūn.
We did not send before you except men whom We inspired, so ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know.
(16:43)
Respect for the messengers involves adhering to the Quran and the guidance they delivered, not adding ritualistic expressions of veneration.
No Command for "Peace Be Upon Him" in the Quran
The Quran does not instruct believers to say "Peace be upon him" after mentioning Muhammad or any other messenger. Adding such phrases is a cultural tradition, not a Quranic command:
أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ
ʾAfalā taʿqilūn.
Will you not reason?
(2:44)
Conclusion
- No Quranic Requirement: The Quran does not instruct believers to say "Peace be upon him" after mentioning Muhammad or other messengers.
- Equal Respect for All Prophets: The Quran commands believers not to make distinctions among prophets (2:285).
- Focus on the Message: True respect for the prophets lies in following the message they delivered, not in ritualistic phrases.
- Avoid Elevation: Adding specific phrases for one messenger risks elevating him above others, contrary to Quranic teachings.
Believers are encouraged to focus on the message of the Quran and the worship of God alone, avoiding practices that have no basis in divine revelation.