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Muhammad was born into a merchant family. His father, Abdallah, died before Muhammad's birth. His mother Amina died a short two years later. Shortly after Amina's death, Muhammad's grandfather (leading citizen of Mecca at the time) died, too. Muhammad was then raised by his uncle Abu Talib. Sunni Muslims observe Muhammed's birthday on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-awwal, while Shi'a Muslims mark it on the 17th day of this month.
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Khadijah and Muhammad had their fourth daughter, and fifth child. Khadijah was 50 years old; Muhammad 35.
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Muhammad began frequenting Mount Hira, a cave near his home. Toward the end of Ramadan, a celestial being/light appeared; Angel Gabriel. Angel Gabriel is God's messenger. From a distance, Muhammad heard an unrecognizable noise He heard the noise a second time: iqra, the arabic word for recite, or speak. It was then when God's words, the first reveleation, came from Muhammad's lips and this was the first reveleation. Muhammad went home and told Khadijah.
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After several messages from God, revelations, Muhammad began recording such messages and thus the Qur'an was created. At this time, Muhammad went public with the messages and he gained a few followers strong in their faith: Khadijah, Abu Bakr and his cousin.
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Muhammad and about 70 followers fled Mecca, to Medina. There he became the ruler of the city.
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The first three raids of the carvans failed. The fourth was a great success. This success happenned during Ramadan, which was also when Muhammad had his first prophecy: "Warring therein is grievous, but to obstruct the way of Allah and to deny Him, to hinder men from the Holy Temple, and to expel His people thence, that is more grievous than slaughter."
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To justify some of the raids and battles during this time period, Muhammad received more revelations to justify such actions: "You desire the lure of this world and Allah desires for you the hereafter and Allah is Mighty, Wise. Now enjoy what you have won as lawful and good and keep your duty to Allah."
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The Meccans rid themselves of Muhammad and his followers for the rest of time. Muhammad turned his attention to the last Jewish tribe. Most of them still would not convert and those who did not convert were slaughtered. Due to a previous revelation, Muhammad kept a fifth of the "spoils." He married his cousin, who was his seventh wife.
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After marching on Mecca with 10,000 men, he proclaimed the Kaaba only belonged to Allah. He convinced the Meccans that Islam was to their benefit to follow. The followers expanded among Southern Europe and the Southwest Pacific.
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Muhammad developed a raging fever and died. The cause of his fever was unknown. His tomb is located in a Mosque in Medina.
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Muhammad made his first journey to Syria accompanying his uncle's caravans.
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Since living with Abu Talib, Muhammad made several trips throughout the Middle East. During his travels he acquired a lot of knowledge on Christianity and Judaism. At one point he saw Arab men worshipping the Ka'aba shrine in Mecca, with a moon God present. Muslim nations now have a crescent moon on their flags.
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While working as a camel-train merchant for his uncle, Muhammad met a wealthy widow, also in the cloth trade. He became her camel driver, then supervisor and business partner, and they eventually married. She was 15 years older than he, but together they were secure.
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Muhammad shared his "journey into heaven" with Angel Gabriel. During that time he traveled from Mecca to Jerusalem where he talked with past prophets. Around this same time, his Uncle Abu Talib and wife Khadijah passed away. Thus, he married his second wife Sau'da. His third was the daughter of Abu Bakr, Aisha. Abu Bakr later became the first caliph.
