Muhammad

Muhammad (570?–632), prophet founder of Islam. Born in Mecca into the ruling Qureish tribe, Muhammad spent his early years as a merchant. At the age of 40 he had a vision of the archangel Gabriel bidding him go forth and preach. His teachings are recorded in the Koran, which Muslims believe is the word of God. Muhammad proclaimed himself the messenger of the one true god, Allah. At first he made few converts, among them his wife (Khadija), his daughter (Fatima), and her husband (Ali). The Meccan rulers persecuted Muhammad's followers. In 622, he escaped to Yathrib, a nearby city, thereafter called Medinat al-Rasul (City of the Prophet), or Medina, for short. The Muslim calendar dates years from this event, known as the Hegira (departure). In Medina, Muhammad formed an Islamic community based on religious faith rather than tribal or family loyalties. He rapidly won converts and his influence grew. In 630, after several years of warfare with Mecca and his victories in the battles of Badr (624) and Uhud (625), he captured Mecca with little bloodshed, making it both the political and religious capital of Islam. By the time of his death, Muhammad had unified the entire Arabian peninsula and the worldwide expansion of Islam had begun. Within a century, the Islamic empire extended from the Iberian peninsula in the west to the borders of India in the east.

See also: Islam.