The Quran enumerates little about the early life of the Islamic Messenger Muhammad or other biographic details, but it talks about his prophetic mission, his moral character, and theological issues regarding him. According to the Quran Muhammad is the last in a chain of prophets sent by God (33:40).

The name "Muhammad" is mentioned four times in the Quran, and the name "Ahmad" (another variant of the name of Muhammad) is mentioned one time. However, Muhammad is also referred to with various titles such as the Messenger of Allah , unlettered, etc., and many verses about Muhammad refer directly or indirectly to him. Also, Surah (chapter) 47 of the Quran is called "Muhammad".

There are also references to Muhammad as "Messenger", "Messenger of God",(such as in Quran 3:144, 33:40 and 48:29). Other terms are used, including "Warner", "bearer of glad tidings", and the "one who invites people to a Single God" (12:108, and 33:45–46), "Seal of the Prophets" (Khatam an-Nabiyyin) 33:40 i.e. there will be no more prophets after him), a "Summoner unto Allah" and "a Lamp that gives bright light" 33:46

Verse 29:48 -- "And you did not recite before it any scripture, nor did you inscribe one with your right hand. Otherwise the falsifiers would have had [cause for] doubt"—is thought to indicate that Muhammad was illiterate and had not read any earlier scriptures.

The Quran disclaims any superhuman characteristics for Muhammad but describes him as a man possessing the highest moral excellence (Quran 68:4 "And thou dost, surely, possess sublime moral excellences"). God made him a good example or a "goodly model" for Muslims to follow (68:4, and 33:21), full of sympathy for Muslims ("Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you and to the believers is kind and merciful" 9:128). In Islamic tradition, Muhammad's relation to humanity is as a bringer of truth (God's message to humanity), and as a blessing (39:33, and 21:107) whose message will give people salvation in the afterlife. It is believed by at least one pious commentator that it is Muhammad's teachings and the purity of his personal life alone that keep alive the worship of God.

While the Quran does not tell the story of Muhammad's life, a number of verses of the Quran concerning Muhammad affect Islamic doctrine, or refer to Muhammad's mission or personal life.

Some verses in the Quran concern a particular role of Muhammad (that is; being the spreader of ‘the message’). These include:

These verses say to obey the messenger only, referring to the role of the spread of the message. The message in particular is in reference to the Quran itself, in which lies the message of God within the complied verses. The key term 'messenger' is important because the titles used refer to specifically different roles of Muhammad. When 'Muhammad' is used, it is only in reference to his life and not his prophet hood. Whereas with the use of Nabi, it refers to his role and status as prophet only. This is why it's crucial to acknowledge the difference between these different titles, since 'messenger' in these verses refer only to the spreading of the Quran.