Muhammad was the Arab prophet and political leader who preached Islam in Mecca and later governed the Muslim community at Medina. Born in Mecca and orphaned early, he worked as a trader before receiving his first revelation around 610. Persecuted by Meccan elites, he migrated with his followers to Medina in 622, an event known as the Hijra and the beginning of the Muslim calendar. By his death in 632, he had established authority over most of Arabia and prepared the expansion of Islam beyond the peninsula.
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The Story
Muhammad was born in Mecca after his father’s death and was orphaned at an early age. He spent his life as a trader until the age of forty and was known for probity and justice in his dealings. Around 610, he received the first revelation, which instructed him to preach Islam. These early revelations emphasized the unity of God, the Last Day, and the equality of human beings regardless of social position or wealth.
Muhammad’s preaching attracted a small community of believers but challenged the interests of Mecca’s wealthy merchants and bankers. The city’s oligarchy feared both the revolutionary implications of the new message and the possible loss of Mecca’s religious and commercial importance. Persecution followed, including attempts on the Prophet’s life. Some converts, including one of his daughters and her husband, were sent to Christian Ethiopia, where the Negus received them favorably.
When persecution reached its peak, Muhammad and his followers moved from Mecca to the oasis town of Yathrib, later known as Medina. The migration took place in 622 and was called the Hijra, understood here as the severing of previous tribal ties and entry into new ones rather than simply “the flight.” In Medina, the Prophet strengthened and governed the Muslim community, defeated Meccan attacks, and expanded his authority through diplomacy and war.
Muhammad eventually returned to Mecca as its victorious religious and political leader. By the time of his death in 632, he was effectively lord of most of Arabia and had already prepared to carry Islam beyond the peninsula. His career therefore joined religious preaching, community formation, diplomacy, warfare, and political consolidation in the creation of the early Muslim polity.
Muhammad was the Arab prophet and political leader who preached Islam in Mecca and later governed the Muslim community at Medina. Born in Mecca and orphaned early, he worked as a trader before receiving his first revelation around 610. Persecuted by Meccan elites, he migrated with his followers to Medina in 622, an event known as the Hijra and the beginning of the Muslim calendar. By his death in 632, he had established authority over most of Arabia and prepared the expansion of Islam beyond the peninsula.
Continue exploring
The Story
Muhammad was born in Mecca after his father’s death and was orphaned at an early age. He spent his life as a trader until the age of forty and was known for probity and justice in his dealings. Around 610, he received the first revelation, which instructed him to preach Islam. These early revelations emphasized the unity of God, the Last Day, and the equality of human beings regardless of social position or wealth.
Muhammad’s preaching attracted a small community of believers but challenged the interests of Mecca’s wealthy merchants and bankers. The city’s oligarchy feared both the revolutionary implications of the new message and the possible loss of Mecca’s religious and commercial importance. Persecution followed, including attempts on the Prophet’s life. Some converts, including one of his daughters and her husband, were sent to Christian Ethiopia, where the Negus received them favorably.
When persecution reached its peak, Muhammad and his followers moved from Mecca to the oasis town of Yathrib, later known as Medina. The migration took place in 622 and was called the Hijra, understood here as the severing of previous tribal ties and entry into new ones rather than simply “the flight.” In Medina, the Prophet strengthened and governed the Muslim community, defeated Meccan attacks, and expanded his authority through diplomacy and war.
Muhammad eventually returned to Mecca as its victorious religious and political leader. By the time of his death in 632, he was effectively lord of most of Arabia and had already prepared to carry Islam beyond the peninsula. His career therefore joined religious preaching, community formation, diplomacy, warfare, and political consolidation in the creation of the early Muslim polity.