Those Dearest to God

Prophet Muhammad (born circa 570 CE in Mecca, in present-day Saudi Arabia – died 632 CE in Medina) is regarded by Muslims as the founder of Islam and the final prophet in the Abrahamic tradition. Born into the Quraysh tribe, he was orphaned at an early age and raised by his grandfather and uncle. In his youth and adulthood, Muhammad worked as a merchant, where his fairness and sincerity brought him respect across social lines. Known for his integrity and compassion, he earned the title al-Amīn (“the trustworthy”). At age twenty-five, he married Khadījah, a widow and notable merchant in her own right, whose support and faith would become a cornerstone in the early years of his mission.

Around the age of forty, during a retreat in the cave of Hira near Mecca, Muhammad experienced a profound spiritual revelation. The angel Gabriel (Jibrīl) conveyed to him the first verses of what would become the Qur’an. Over the next twenty-three years, he received further revelations, calling humanity to worship one God (Allāh) and to live with justice, mercy, and humility. His message emphasized moral accountability, social equality, and compassion for the poor and marginalized—principles that challenged the inequities of Meccan society. Despite fierce opposition, he appealed to his followers to be patient and ""repel evil with good."" He and his followers would migrate to Medina in 622 CE, to flee persecution.

In Medina, Muhammad established a religious and socio-political community grounded in faith (īmān), mutual consultation (shūrā), and principles of fairness and communal responsibility. He guided his followers in prayer, governance, and reconciliation, striving to balance divine revelation with human compassion. By the end of his life, most of the Arabian Peninsula had embraced Islam. Prophet Muhammad’s legacy endures through the Qur’an and the example of his life (Sunnah), which continue to inspire billions worldwide. His teachings on mercy, integrity, and the oneness of God invite reflection on how humanity might live in harmony—with the Creator, with one another, and with the created world.

At around the age of 40, Muhammad started having spiritual experiences. According to Islamic tradition, during one of his contemplative retreats in the Cave of Hira on the outskirts of Mecca, he received the first of many revelations from God through the Archangel Gabriel. This marked the beginning of his prophethood and his lifelong mission of spreading the word of God. These revelations, orally transmitted and later compiled, became the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe that Muhammad was not the author of the Qur'an, but a recipient and conduit of divine revelation, an experience that would profoundly affect him and the course of world history.

Throughout his life, Muhammad, as guided by the Qur'an, led by example, establishing the religious and ethical foundations of Islam. He taught the oneness of God, social justice, compassion, and the importance of community, forming the basis of Islamic moral and legal frameworks. The Qur'an, as seen by Muslims, is the literal word of God, and Muhammad is its final and perfect messenger, leading a life reflective of its teachings. After 23 years of prophethood, he passed away in 632 CE in Medina, leaving a lasting spiritual and ethical legacy that continues to shape the lives of Muslims around the world.