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{{Short description|Founder of Islam}}
{{Infobox religious biography
| name         = Muhammad
| image        = Prophet Muhammad Calligraphy.svg
| caption      = Calligraphic representation of Muhammad's name
| birth_date   = {{circa|570}}
| birth_place  = [[Mecca]], [[Hejaz]], [[Arabian Peninsula]]
| death_date   = 8 June 632
| death_place  = [[Medina]], [[Hejaz]], [[Arabian Peninsula]]
| resting_place = [[Green Dome]], [[Al-Masjid an-Nabawi]], Medina
| spouse       = [[Khadijah bint Khuwaylid]], [[Aisha]], and others
| children     = [[Fatimah]], [[Zaynab bint Muhammad|Zaynab]], [[Ruqayyah]], [[Umm Kulthum]], [[Qasim ibn Muhammad]], [[Abdullah ibn Muhammad]], [[Ibrahim ibn Muhammad]]
| known_for    = Final prophet of [[Islam]], founder of [[Islamic civilization]]
| title        = Prophet
}}

'''Muhammad''' ({{lang-ar|مُحَمَّد}}; {{circa|570 CE}} – 8 June 632 CE) was an [[Arab]] religious, social, and political leader and the founder of [[Islam]]. Muslims believe he was the last prophet (''Seal of the Prophets'') sent by God (''Allah'') to guide humanity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Early Life ==
Muhammad was born in 570 CE in [[Mecca]], a city in the [[Hejaz]] region of the Arabian Peninsula. He belonged to the [[Quraysh]] tribe and was raised by his uncle, [[Abu Talib]], after becoming an orphan at a young age.<ref>{{cite web |title=Early Life of Muhammad |url=https://www.history.com/topics/religion/muhammad |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref> He was known for his honesty and was called ''Al-Amin'' (the Trustworthy).<ref>{{cite web |title=Life of the Prophet Muhammad |url=https://www.biography.com/religious-figure/muhammad |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Prophethood ==
At the age of 40, Muhammad began receiving divine revelations through the angel [[Jibreel]] (Gabriel) while meditating in the [[Cave of Hira]]. These revelations continued for 23 years and were compiled into the [[Qur'an]], the holy book of Islam.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad’s First Revelation |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Quran |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Message and Opposition ==
Muhammad's message emphasized monotheism, social justice, and ethical conduct. It attracted followers but also opposition from the Meccan elites, who saw it as a threat to their power.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad in Mecca |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad/Muhammad-in-Mecca |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref> In 622 CE, Muhammad and his followers migrated to [[Medina]] in an event known as the ''Hijra'', marking the beginning of the [[Islamic calendar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hijra and Medina |url=https://www.history.com/topics/religion/hijra |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Medina and the Islamic State ==
In Medina, Muhammad established a community governed by Islamic principles, uniting tribes under the [[Constitution of Medina]]. He became both a spiritual and political leader.<ref>{{cite web |title=Medina and the Islamic State |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad/Muhammad-in-Medina |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref> Over the next decade, he led military campaigns, signed treaties, and spread Islam across the Arabian Peninsula.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad as a Statesman |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/history/muhammad.shtml |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Conquest of Mecca ==
In 630 CE, Muhammad returned to Mecca with an army and peacefully took control of the city. He cleansed the [[Kaaba]] of idols and dedicated it to the worship of Allah.<ref>{{cite web |title=Conquest of Mecca |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Conquest-of-Mecca |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Death ==
Muhammad died on 8 June 632 CE in Medina at the age of 63. He was buried in his home, now part of the [[Al-Masjid an-Nabawi]] mosque.<ref>{{cite web |title=Death of Muhammad |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad/Death-of-Muhammad |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Muhammad's teachings and leadership laid the foundation for the [[Islamic civilization]], which has influenced the world in areas such as law, science, art, and philosophy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Legacy of Muhammad |url=https://www.history.com/topics/religion/muhammad |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref> He is revered as the final prophet in Islam and serves as a role model for Muslims worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Muhammad in Islam |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Muhammad-in-Islam |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Qur'an]]
* [[Islam]]
* [[Sunnah]]
* [[Kaaba]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Muhammad Britannica – Muhammad]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/prophets/muhammad_1.shtml BBC – Muhammad]
* [https://www.history.com/topics/religion/muhammad History.com – Muhammad]

[[Category:Muhammad]]
[[Category:Founders of religions]]
[[Category:Prophets in Islam]]
[[Category:570 births]]
[[Category:632 deaths]]