```markdown # 106 ## Chapter 10 ### The Life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) **The Early Years** The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in Mecca, Arabia, in 570 CE. He was an orphan, as his father died before his birth and his mother died when he was six years old. He was raised by his grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib, and later by his uncle, Abu Talib.

Muhammad (peace be upon him) grew up to be a man of great character and integrity. He was known for his honesty, kindness, and wisdom. He was a successful merchant, and he married a wealthy widow named Khadijah.

**The Revelation** In 610 CE, when Muhammad (peace be upon him) was 40 years old, he received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. This marked the beginning of his prophethood, and he began to preach the message of Islam to the people of Mecca.

Islam is a monotheistic religion that teaches that there is only one God, Allah, and that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is his final prophet. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, is believed to be the literal word of God.

**The Hijrah** The early Muslims faced much persecution in Mecca, and in 622 CE, Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers migrated to the city of Medina. This event, known as the Hijrah, marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

In Medina, Muhammad (peace be upon him) established a community of Muslims, and he continued to preach the message of Islam. He also led the Muslims in several battles against their enemies.

**The Conquest of Mecca** In 630 CE, Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers returned to Mecca and conquered the city. This was a major victory for Islam, and it led to the widespread acceptance of the religion.

Muhammad (peace be upon him) died in 632 CE, but his legacy continues to live on. Islam is now one of the world's largest religions, with over 1.9 billion followers. ```