Muhammad (ca. 570/571–632 ce)

Muhammad, literally the “praised one,” is believed by Muslims to be the last and final prophet sent by God (Allah) to guide humankind. Although from the modern historical perspective there has been much debate on the historicity of specific events related to his life, modern scholarship has conceded Muhammad's historicity, cautioning, however, that there is much that awaits research.

Muhammad was born in Mecca (Makkah) in 570–571 CE to the noble tribe of Banu Hashim. His father had died just months before his birth, and within the first 10 years of his life, he lost his mother and grandfather ‘Abd al-Muttalib and was subsequently brought up by his paternal uncle Abu Talib. He assisted his uncle in trade and traveled around Arabia and to Syria a ...