Muhammad

Muhammad was a significant religious, military, and political leader in Arabia. He is recognized as the founder of Islam.

According to Islamic belief, he was the final prophet of God. He was divinely inspired to preach and confirm monotheistic teachings. These teachings included the messages of prophets like Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Muslims believe he is the Seal of the Prophets. His life and teachings, along with the Quran, form the foundation of Islamic religious belief.

Muhammad was born in Mecca around 570 CE. He belonged to the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe. His father, Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, died near the time of his birth. His mother, Amina bint Wahb, died when he was six years old. This left him as an orphan. He was raised first by his grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib. Later, his paternal uncle, Abu Talib, took over his care. Muhammad learned skills such as archery and swordsmanship from his uncles. He also worked leading trade caravans to Syria.

A major turning point occurred in approximately 610 CE. Muhammad was 40 years old at this time. He frequently secluded himself in a mountain cave named Hira for prayer. He reported that the angel Gabriel visited him in this cave. This event provided his first revelation from God. In 613 CE, he began preaching these revelations publicly. He proclaimed that God is One. He taught that complete submission, or Islam, is the correct way of life.

His early preaching led to difficult times for his followers. For 13 years, Meccan polytheists persecuted the early Muslim community. Some followers fled to Abyssinia in 615 CE to find safety. In 622 CE, Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina. This migration is known as the Hijrah. The Hijrah is so important that it marks the start of the Islamic calendar. In Medina, Muhammad used the Constitution of Medina to unite the local tribes.

Conflict between Muhammad and the Meccan tribes lasted for eight years. In December 629 CE, Muhammad gathered an army of 10,000 Muslim converts. He marched on the city of Mecca. The conquest of the city went largely uncontested. Muhammad seized the city with minimal casualties.

By the time of his death in June 632 CE, most of the Arabian Peninsula had converted to Islam. He fell ill a few months after returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage.

The revelations Muhammad received are the basis of the Quran. Muslims regard the Quran as the verbatim word of God. These revelations consist of verses called ayahs. Beyond the Quran, Muslims use the hadith for guidance. Hadith are transmitted reports of Muhammad's teachings and actions. They are also used alongside his biography, known as sira, to form Islamic law.

Scholars classify hadith based on their chain of transmission, called an isnad.

Historians use different methods to study Muhammad's life. Many early biographical sources were written in the 8th and 9th centuries CE. This creates an oral gap between his life and the written records. Some historians find these early records difficult to use for strictly human history. However, others note that more is known about Muhammad than many other religious founders. Other faiths also hold him in high regard. Sikhism views him as an inspirational figure. The Druze faith lists him as one of seven main prophets. The Baháʼí Faith recognizes him as a Manifestation of God.