Prophet Muhammad was born in Makkah in the year 570. Since his father died before his birth and his mother died shortly thereafter, he was raised by his uncle who was from the respected tribe of Quraysh. He was raised illiterate, unable to read and write, and remained so till his death.His people, before his mission as a prophet, were ignorant of science and most of them were illiterate. As he grew up , he became known to be truthful, honest, trustworthy, generous, and sincere. He was so trustworthy that they called him the Trustworthy.( Narrated in Mosnad Ahmad , # 15078 ). Prophet Muhammad was very religious, and he had a long detested the decadence and idolatry of his society.
At the age of forty, Prophet Muhammad received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. The revelations continued for twenty -three years, and they are collectively known as the Qu'ran.
As soon as he began to recite the Qu'ran and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him , he and his small group of followers suffered presecution from unbelievers. The presecution grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to immigrate. This emigration from Makkah to the city of Madinah,some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.
After several years, Prophet Muhammad and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies. Before Prophet Muhammad died, at the age of sixty-three, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula had become Muslim, and within a century of his death , Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China.Among the reasons for rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the truth and clarity of its doctrine. Islam calls for faith in only one GOD, who is the only one worthy of worship.
The Prophet Muhammad was a perfect example of an honest, just , merciful, compassionate,truthful, and brave human being. Though he was a man , he was far removed from all evil characteristics and strove solely for teh sake of God and His reward in the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings , he was ever mindful and fearful of GOD.
His Last Sermon (This Sermon was delivered on the Ninth Day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H in the Uranah Valley of mount Arafat )
"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I don't know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you carefully and TAKE THIS WORDS TO THOSE WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT HERE TODAY. O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury (Interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived... Beware of Satan, for your safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have right over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and comitted helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to commit adultery.
O People, listen to me in earnest, whorship ALLAH, say your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. You know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. YOU ARE ALL EQUAL. NOBODY HAS SUPERIORITY OVER OTHER EXCEPT BY PIETY AND GOOD ACTION.
Remember, one day you will appear before ALLAH and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, NO PROPHET OR APOSTLE WILL COME AFTER ME AND NO NEW FAITH WILL BE BORN. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the QUR'AN and my example, the SUNNAH and if you follow these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me direcly. BE MY WITNESS O ALLAH THAT I HAVE CONVEYED YOUR MESSAGE TO YOUR PEOPLE."