Mohammed

Biography and intellectual context

Born: 570 CE in Mecca, Hejaz, Arabia (present day: Saudi Arabia)

Died: 8 June 632 CE in Medina, Saudi Arabia (at the age of 61–62)

Founder of Islam: Final prophet in Islam who received the revelations of the Qur’an.

Religious and Political Leader: Established the first Islamic community in Medina and unified Arabia under monotheism.

Sacred Teachings: Qur’an and Sunnah form the basis of Islamic law, ethics, and worship.

Enduring Legacy: Central spiritual model for Muslims worldwide, shaping faith, charity, and community life.

Browse all 600–700 AD works

Mohammad, also known as Muhammad, was an Arab religious and political leader and the founder of Islam. He is considered the last prophet in the Islamic religion. He was born in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 CE. As a member of the Quraysh tribe, Muhammed grew up in a society that practiced polytheism. In his early life, he worked as a merchant and gained a reputation for his honesty and integrity. At the age of 40, Muhammed began to receive the first revelation from God/Allah through the angel Gabriel, which formed the basis of the Islamic holy book, the Qur’an. These revelations continued over a period of 23 years and formed the foundation of the Islamic faith.

During his time, Muhammed faced strong opposition from the ruling leaders of Mecca, which forced his followers to migrate to Medina in an event known as the Hijra. In Medina, Muhammed established the first Islamic community and continued to spread the message of Islam. He eventually conquered Mecca and consolidated the Arabian Peninsula under Islam. Muhammed passed away in 632 CE, leaving behind a rapidly growing community of followers or believers who would spread Islam across the globe.

Muhammed is best known for being the founder of Islam and the final prophet in Islamic belief, receiving revelations from Allah that formed the Qur’an.

Muhammed’s leadership and guidance led to the establishment of the first Islamic state in Medina and the spread of Islam throughout the Arabian Peninsula.

His teachings in the Qur’an and his sayings and actions (Hadith) form the foundation of Islamic law, ethics, and spiritual practice for Muslims worldwide.

Muhammad transformed Mecca and Medina into centers of monotheistic worship, replacing the polytheistic traditions of pre-Islamic Arabia.

Muslims honor him with the phrase “Peace Be Upon Him” after his name, and his life example (Sunnah) guides daily Muslim practice.

His emphasis on monotheism and the importance of charity and community has had a lasting impact on Islamic societies and cultures around the world.

These sayings do not appear in the Qur’an. They come from the hadith—reports preserving the words and example of Muhammad. In Islamic tradition, the Qur’an is the primary revealed scripture, while authentic hadith help explain and apply its teachings.

“Wealth is not in having many possessions, but rather true wealth is feeling sufficiency in the soul.” — Muhammad

Muhammad ibn Ismaʿil al-Bukhari, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī , no. 6446, “To Make the Heart Tender,” chap. 15, narrated by Abu Huraira, Sunnah.com . The parallel version in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim , no. 1051 , reads: “Richness does not lie in the abundance of worldly goods, but richness is the richness of the soul.”

“Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth, but He looks to your hearts and your deeds.” — Muhammad

Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim , no. 2564c, “The Book of Virtue, Enjoining Good Manners, and Joining of the Ties of Kinship,” narrated by Abu Huraira, Sunnah.com .

“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself.” — Muhammad

Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi, Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi , hadith 13, citing Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī , no. 13, and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim , no. 45, Sunnah.com .

“The strong is not the one who overcomes people by his strength, but the strong is the one who controls himself while in anger.” — Muhammad

Muhammad ibn Ismaʿil al-Bukhari, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī , no. 6114, “Good Manners and Form,” chap. 76, narrated by Abu Huraira, Sunnah.com . See also Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim , no. 2609a .

Muhammed’s legacy as the founder of Islam and the final prophet in the Islamic religion continues to have a lasting influence on nearly 2 billion Muslims around the world. His teachings on monotheism (i.e., worshipping one God), social justice, and compassion have shaped the ethical and moral frameworks of Islamic societies for over 1,400 years. His teachings form the basis of Sharia (Islamic law), which influences legal systems in many Muslim-majority countries. Muhammed’s emphasis on community, charity, and equality remains central to the practice of Islam today.

Besides his role as a religious leader, Muhammed’s legacy as a political and social leader has inspired movements for justice, equality, and human rights in diverse contexts. His example of leadership, humility, and dedication to the welfare of others continues to guide individuals and communities seeking to create a fair, righteous, and compassionate world. In the 21st century, Muhammad’s legacy shapes geopolitics, interfaith relations, and cultural identity.

In 2014, UNESCO launched the Muhammed VI Museum in Morocco, showcasing Islamic artistic heritage (though named after Morocco’s king, not the Prophet).

The 2019 publication of Muhammad: Prophet of Peace Amid the Clash of Empires by Juan Cole explores Muhammed’s leadership in promoting peace and justice in a time of conflict.

In 2002, Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet , a documentary about the Prophet’s life that reached 10 million U.S. viewers and was broadcast worldwide in multiple languages by 2003, left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

Digital resources such as the Muhammad Legacy Project aim to preserve and promote the teachings and legacy of Muhammed through online platforms and educational initiatives.

Muhammed’s teachings and beliefs were influenced by a variety of factors, including his upbringing in the polytheistic society of Mecca and his interactions with various religious traditions in the region. His encounters with Jewish and Christian communities in Arabia also played a role in shaping his understanding of monotheism and prophethood. His encounters with Christian monks and merchants while traveling also influenced him.

Additionally, Muhammed’s experiences as a merchant and his role in the social and political life of Mecca provided him with a unique perspective on the challenges facing his society. His exposure to international commerce through caravan trade shaped his understanding of different cultural and religious practices. His teachings on social justice, compassion, and equality were influenced by his observations of the inequalities and injustices present in Arabian society at the time.

Muhammad, Bill Omar. Wd Mohammed’s Impact on World Globalization. United States: Xlibris US, 2016.

Allies, T. W. Peter’s Rock in Mohammed’s Flood, from St. Gregory the Great to St. Leo III: Exploring Christian-Islamic Relations in Early Medieval Period. Czechia: Good Press, 2020.

Swahili Islamic Poetry: Introduction: The Celebration of Mohammed’s Birthday; Swahili Islamic Cosmology. Netherlands: Brill, 1971.

PROPHET AND MESSENGER OF GOD

Lavishly illuminated Qur’an manuscript pages with intricate blue-and-gold floral borders framing the sacred opening verses.

A decorative triangular panel of blue-and-white tiles showcasing Islamic geometric patterns interwoven with Arabic calligraphy.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in white garments circle the Kaaba in Mecca during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

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