Muhammad is by far the most influential person we have studied so far, and may easily be considered the most influential person in human history. He is the only person who has been supremely successful on both the religious and secular levels. He founded one of the world's most common religions, and inspired the creation of an empire that stretched from the borders of India to the Atlantic Ocean. For this reason, he stands out above everyone else.
             Muhammad was born in Mecca in the year 570 AD. He was born into a poor, but much respected branch of the prestigious and influential tribe of Quraysh. Muhammad's father passed away shortly before his birth and his mother passed away when he was only six years old. As a result, he was brought up by his uncle. Muhammad worked for his uncle's business and traveled to other countries like Syria for an occasional trade. Eventually as he grew older, he earned a respected name within his society. At a time when men were known to be excitable, exuberant, and boastful, Muhammad's rare qualities caught the attention of a wealthy widow by the name of Khadija bint Khuwailid. Although Khadija was many years older than Muhammad, she would go on to make him a steward and eventually her husband. After getting married, Muhammad no longer worked, because his wife was wealthy enough to support both of them.
             Muhammad was obviously a very righteous and spiritual man and soon became troubled by the greedy behavior of the rich leaders in the city. With much free time on his hands, he started going to the dessert to meditate. His favorite spot to visit was said to be in the hill of Hira, a few miles from Mecca. It was here where a visit at the age of 40 would change the structure of the religious world. This is where he first received his prophet hood and the first revelations that would later be assembled into chapters to make up the Koran. It came to him like the breaking of dawn and thes...