Muhammad

Muhammad was born in the Arabian Desert in Mecca. Pilgrims went to Mecca to worship at Kaaba, a stone building believed to have been built by the biblical patriarch, Abraham. Muhammad's father died a few weeks before Muhammad was born. His mother died when he was only six. Muhammad was taken in by his grandfather who died two years later. Muhammad then went to work with his uncle Abu Talib. Muhammad worked as a shepherd and went on business trips as a trader. Around 595, Muhammad married Khadijah, a wealthy widow. The couple had six children, two died in infancy. Muhammad preached his revelations to Mecca. His message was that there was one god, that people should be generous and care for the poor, and that God would judge them on how they acted during their lives. There were many mixed decisions about his message and in 622, Muhammad fled for he had heard the Quraish were plotting to kill him. This was called “The Hegira” or “The Great Flight.” Muhammad established in Medina and took control. Muhammad was admired as a strong, formidable character, though he died of a fever in June, 632.