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

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

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

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

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”

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

During this journey, he meets with the other prophets 

He is taken through the seven levels of heaven where Muhammad meets God

This experience is known as the “Hijrah,” which marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar 

Muhammad begins his metamorphosis from a preacher to a political and military leader

Battle of Uhud in 625 (defeated)

Battle of the Trench in 627 (victory)

• Muhammad and his army conquered Mecca

• He is aided by other tribal people