Muhammad
Muhammad was the founder of Islam and, in Islamic belief, the final prophet of God.
Muhammad was the founder of Islam and, in Islamic belief, the final prophet of God. He was born in Mecca around 570 CE, received revelations beginning in 610, and died in Medina in 632. His teachings, preserved in the Qur’an and hadith traditions, form the basis of Islamic belief and practice.
Early life
Muhammad was born in Mecca around 570 CE, in present-day Saudi Arabia. Sources describe him as having been orphaned young and later working as a merchant before his religious mission began.
Prophetic mission
According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad began receiving revelations through the archangel Gabriel in 610 CE. These revelations became the Qur’an and the foundation of Islam.
Migration and leadership in Medina
Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina in 622 CE after opposition in Mecca. There he became a religious and political leader and helped establish the early Muslim community.
Death and burial
Muhammad died in Medina in 632 CE. He was buried there, and later tradition places his grave in the chamber of his wife Aisha, within the Prophet’s Mosque.
Key facts
- Muhammad is regarded by Muslims as the last prophet and the recipient of divine revelation.
- He was born in Mecca around 570 CE and died in Medina in 632 CE.
- According to Islamic tradition, his revelations began in 610 and were later compiled in the Qur’an.
- He migrated from Mecca to Medina in 622, an event known as the Hijra, which marks the start of the Islamic calendar.
- He is usually said to have had 14 wives or concubines during his lifetime.
Muhammad is a central figure for Canada’s Muslim population and for studies of world religions, history, and Islamic civilization in Canadian schools, museums, and universities.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Prophet Muhammad?
When was Prophet Muhammad born?
What happened to Prophet Muhammad?
How many wives did Prophet Muhammad have?
What are the teachings of Prophet Muhammad?
Where is Prophet Muhammad buried?
References
- Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/MuhammadSupports: Birth in Mecca around 570 CE, death in Medina in 632, role as founder of Islam, migration to Medina, and statement that he is usually said to have had 14 wives or concubines.
- Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/religious-figures/muhammadSupports: Born around 570 in Mecca, died in Medina in 632, and buried in al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina.
- PBS — https://www.pbs.org/empires/islam/profilesmuhammed.htmlSupports: Born around 570 in Mecca and died on June 8, 632.
- Al-Islam.org — https://www.al-islam.org/prophet-muhammad-mercy-world-sayyid-muhammad-al-shirazi/chapter-1-brief-biography-prophet-muhammadSupports: Born in Mecca in 570 CE; first revelation in 610; details on death and burial traditions.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art — https://www.metmuseum.org/learn/educators/curriculum-resources/art-of-the-islamic-world/unit-one/the-prophet-muhammad-and-the-origins-of-islamSupports: Muhammad’s role as recipient of divine revelation and importance of hadith and sunna.
- EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/muhammadSupports: Early life, revelations beginning in 610, teachings emphasizing monotheism and social justice, migration to Medina, and death in 632.