Islam, one of the world’s major monotheistic religions, was founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the early 7th century. According to Islamic tradition, the angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad, a merchant in the city of Mecca, and revealed to him the words of Allah, which were later compiled into the Quran, Islam’s holy book.
The founding of Islam marked a significant turning point in the religious and political landscape of the Arabian Peninsula. Muhammad’s teachings emphasized monotheism, social justice, and community cohesion, which resonated with many people who were seeking an alternative to the polytheistic and often tribal society of the time.
After years of preaching in Mecca and facing persecution, Muhammad and his followers migrated to Medina in 622 CE, an event known as the Hijra, which marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. In Medina, Islam grew rapidly as a religious and political force, leading to the eventual unification of the Arabian tribes under the banner of Islam.
The spread of Islam continued after Muhammad’s death in 632 CE, with successive caliphates expanding the religion’s reach through conquests and trade across Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe. Today, Islam is practiced by billions of people around the globe and continues to shape world history.
Where Was Islam Founded
Islam was founded in the early 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula, in what is now Saudi Arabia. The religion was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of approximately 23 years, beginning in 610 CE, when he received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel. Muhammad’s teachings were compiled into the Quran, the holy book of Islam, after his death.
The city of Mecca, where Muhammad was born and began his preaching, and Medina, where he migrated with his followers in 622 CE, are considered the two holiest cities in Islam. This migration, known as the Hijra, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Islam quickly spread beyond the Arabian Peninsula, reaching large parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe over the centuries. Today, Islam is one of the world’s major religions with followers known as Muslims.
