Muhammad's Life and Impact
Born around 570 CE in Makkah, Muhammad grew up as an orphan raised by his uncle. His tribe, the Quraysh, had seen better days, but his family could trace their ancestry back to Ibrahim through Ismail.
Everything changed in 610 CE when Muhammad was 40. During prayer on Mount Hira, the angel Jibril appeared and commanded him to recite Allah's words. These revelations continued for 23 years and were later compiled into the Qur'an after Muhammad's death in 632 CE.
Not everyone welcomed Muhammad's message about worshipping one God instead of many. The threats became so serious that in 622 CE, Muhammad and his followers made the Hijra - a famous migration from Makkah to Madinah. This event marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Muhammad returned to Makkah ten years later, successfully converting many people to Islam. After his death, Islam continued spreading rapidly, though disagreements about leadership led to the Sunni and Shi'a split that still exists today.
Key Point: Muhammad combined being a religious leader with creating social and political change, proving that faith and action go hand in hand.