Peace and blessing be upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Who is Muhammad?
Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Mecca in the year 570, at a time when Christianity was not yet fully established in Europe. Since his father died before his birth, and his mother shortly afterwards, he was raised by his uncle from the respected tribe of Quraysh. As he grew up, he became known for his truthfulness, generosity and sincerity, so that he was sought after for his ability to arbitrate in disputes. The historians describe him as calm and meditative. Muhammad (PBUH) was of a deeply religious nature, and had long detested the decadence and idolatry of his society. It became his habit to meditate from time to time in the cave of Hira near the summit of Jabal Al-Nur, the "Mountain of Light" near Mecca.
How did he become a Prophet and a Messenger of God?
At the age of 40, while engaged in a meditative retreat, Muhammad (PBUH) received his first revelation from Allah through the Angel Gabriel. This revelation, which continued for twenty-three years, is known as the Qur’an.
As soon as he began to recite the words he heard from Gabriel, and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered bitter persecution, which grew so fierce that in the year 622 Allah gave them the command to leave Mecca. This event, the Hijirah, [migration], in which they left Mecca for the city of Madina some 260 miles from Mecca. This migration starts the beginning of Islamic calendar.
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