Muhammad

Muhammad was a religious leader born around the year 570 CE in the city of Mecca, in the Arabian Peninsula. He is central to the religion of Islam. Muslims believe Muhammad was a prophet, which means a person who receives messages from God. According to Islamic belief, he was the final prophet in a line that included figures such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.

Muhammad was born into the Quraysh tribe. His father died before he was born, and his mother died when he was young. He was raised by relatives. As an adult, Muhammad worked as a merchant, which means a trader who buys and sells goods. He became known in Mecca for honesty and fairness. At the age of about 25, he married Khadijah, a businesswoman who supported him throughout his early life.

According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad received his first revelation in 610 CE while meditating in a cave near Mecca. Muslims believe the angel Gabriel delivered messages from God to him. These messages continued over many years and were later written down in the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Muhammad taught belief in one God and warned against idol worship, which was common in Mecca at the time.

At first, Muhammad’s message was accepted by only a small group. Many leaders in Mecca opposed him because his teachings challenged existing religious practices and social structures. In 622 CE, Muhammad and his followers moved from Mecca to the city of Medina. This journey is called the Hijra. The Hijra marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. In Medina, Muhammad became both a religious and political leader.

Over time, the Muslim community in Medina grew stronger. Agreements and conflicts occurred between Mecca and Medina. In 630 CE, Muhammad returned to Mecca with his followers. The city came under Muslim control with little fighting. The Kaaba, a cube-shaped building in Mecca, was dedicated to the worship of one God. Mecca then became the central holy city of Islam.

Muhammad died in 632 CE in Medina. After his death, leadership of the Muslim community passed to others known as caliphs. His teachings continued to guide the growing Islamic community. Today, Muhammad is respected by Muslims as the prophet of Islam. His life and teachings remain recorded in Islamic texts and historical sources.