Islam the religion is a way of life for Muslims across the world. There are over one billion Muslims spread throughout the globe transcending all nationalities, languages and ethnic backgrounds. How did all this begin?
             "The history of Islam begins with Muhammad, but not with his birth, for its date is one of many things which are not known about him." Muhammad's mother died when he was six years old, his father before he was born. Muhammad was bought up by his grandfather and later his uncle.He came from a relatively poor clan, the Hashim, the clan that headed the opposition to the wealthy merchant clans. Born after the death of his father it meant that he could inherit none of his father's property. He became the servant and at the age of twenty-five married a wealthy widow, Khadija. Muhammad later became a respected trader in Mecca. His travels exposed him to different types of religion such as Judaism and Christianity. This deepened his interest in spiritually, and at the same time caused him to grow intolerant of the spiritism and idolatry of his people.
             One night, after months of meditation on Mount Hira, 40 year-old Muhammad unexpectedly became aware of a 'presence.' Moments later, he was caught up in a 'revelation' that would prove to be the primal spark of the Islamic religion. The angel Gabriel appeared to him. The message corresponded was Muhammad first thought an evil spirit had overcome him. Shaken by his experience, he went home to his first wife, Khadija, who wrapped him in a blanket and persuaded him that he had not been
             possessed. The messages from this and subsequent visitations have become what are today known as the Qur'an. Muhammad was the prophet of Allah.
             Mecca became Muhammad's religious home. Its Ka'ba, a large stone shrine, became the focal point of Islamic worship. Muhammad received instructions to convert the Quaraish of Mecca to monotheism. The Quaraishs violently resisted suc...