Islam the Beginning

The religion of Islam began in 610 in the city of Mecca. A merchant son named Muhammad began to preach to his community. What began as a faith of a small community of believers in Arabia rapidly became one of the major world religions. There are many factors that contributed to the development and spread of Islam, most of which occurred during the lifetime of Prophet Mohammad. Some of the key elements as to why Islam was able to flourish include; the role of Prophet Muhammad, the Quran, and the Islamic military. Prophet Muhammad Islam can base its foundation and it’s beginning to one man Muhammad. Muhammad is the sole founder of Islam; he was born in a town known as Mecca in a Arabian city known as Saudi Arabia around 570 or 571 (pg. 180 Chambers). Muhammad father died before his birth and his mother when he was only six years old. Muhammad was raised by his uncle and worked as a camel driver in caravans. (pg 180 Chambers). Muhammad was an illiterate man who had no information on Jewish and Christian scriptures. Muhammad at age twenty-five married and had four daughters. Muhammad had two significant roles in Islam his preaching and Hijra. Around the time 610 Muhammad heard the voice of an angle Gabriel telling him to reflect the word of God. Muhammad began to preach publicly but was initially only able to get a small group of people to follow him in his beliefs. Most people feared him because of his paganism threated the center of Mecca. (pg 180 Chambers). After being run out of Mecca Muhammad took his Ideas to a town known as Medina. This travel from Mecca to Medina is known as Hijra which occurred around 622. This journey will later be known as year one of the Islam calendar. The Hijra was the most important turning point in Muhammad career he became a political leader. As this new power Muhammad was able to get his