Muhammad is born in Mecca 

His name derives from the Arabic verb hamada, which means “to praise, to glorify”

He came from a family of merchants and traders

Member of the Hashim clan; clan was very poor and did not share in the wealth of Mecca’s merchants 

Orphaned at an early age 

Placed under the care of his grandfather and then, later, his Uncle, Abu Talib

Learned the customs and traditions of nomads of the Arabian desert

Learned how to be a shepherd and later, he travels with his uncle on trading expectations

12 years old 

Experienced the world outside of Arabia for the first time by traveling to Bahira, Syria with his uncle

Became known as a trustworthy merchant in Mecca

Took on new duties and responsibilities

Managed caravans for Khadija, a wealthy widow

She proposed marriage and they wed when he is 25

They have 6 children

Only his daughter, Fatimah, later has children to carry on his bloodline

Received his revelation on Mount Hira from God during the month of Ramadan

He later identified this visitation to be from the Angel Gabriel 

His message is from Allah (God) is to “recite, recite, recite…..”

Muhammad - “You are the messenger of God”

Muhammad begins to preach Islam publically in Mecca

His preaching is met with skepticism because the Meccans are polytheistic believers

The Meccans ask for miracles, but Muhammad gives them none

The Meccans reject his calling, but the Muslims stand firm in their beliefs

Muhammad’s clan is faced with boycotts and starvation, but they do not recant their faith