1. Muhammad is born in Mekkah in approximately 570 CE
Muhammad is born in Mekkah in approximately 570 CE. He was an orphan by the age of 6. He was brought up first by his grandfather and then his uncle, Abu Talib. He started work as a shepherd and then became a well respected and honest merchant. He married his wife Khadijah aged 25.  

2. The Night of Power: In 610 CE Muhammad was in a cave on Mount Hira when the angel Jibril appeared to him with a message from God. The revelations from God to Muhammad were combined together to form the Qur’an, the Muslims’ most important holy book.  

3. Muhammad began preaching to the people of Mekkah
Muhammad began preaching to the people of Mekkah. He challenged them to give up cheating, drinking alcohol, gambling and idol worship. They did not want to hear this. They began to hate Muhammad and his new followers - the Muslims.  

4. The Night Journey: Jibril took Muhammad on a miraculous journey to Jerusalem on a horse like creature with wings (al-Buraq). Muhammad ascended to heaven and spoke to prophets and saw magnificent signs of God. He was told that people should pray five times a day.  

5. Hijrah: In 622 CE, the Mekkans started to fight against Muhammad and his followers. They were forced to flee - most went to Madinah.  

6. Destructions of idols: In Madinah, Muhammad gathered an army of 10,000 Muslims. They conquered Makkah. Muhammad destroyed the 360 idols around the Kaaba.  

7. Muhammad dies: In 632 CE Muhammad dies and is buried in a simple grave in Madinah.